DEEP IMAGINATION feature in Orkus Music Magazine

In May 2026, one of Germany’s two major gothic magazines, Orkus, published a feature on the new album “Come to My Pretty Little Garden”.

“Having rediscovered my old love for dark wave and gothic in 2020, the new album is another major milestone for me,” explains Thorsten Sudler-Mainz in an interview. Orkus editor Jan Schütz (Meersein) writes of the “crystallisation of an idea that had long been dormant within him”, thereby summing it up perfectly. Making music and the spirituality hidden within it is described as the revelation of an aspiration to make a “secret code” of the scene audible.

“When I start working on a composition, it is, at best, an intuitive workflow”, whilst the arrangement and production are characterised by conscious fine-tuning. In his wonderful article, the author describes the music on the new album as a resonant space that connects past and present and invites the listener to become, for a moment, part of this inner ‘Pretty Little Garden’ – and perhaps to discover a piece of themselves within it.

More reactions to the new DEEP IMAGINATION album ‘Come to My Pretty Little Garden’                                                          

DEEP IMAGINATION’s new album was released on 20 March 2026, prompting a mix of wonderful reactions and press reviews. Here are a few excerpts.

Press comments:

“Darkwave meets neoclassical. With ‘Come to My Pretty Little Garden,’ Thorsten Sudler-Mainz not only expands his sonic universe but also returns to a source that never truly faded away. Rooted somewhere between darkwave and neoclassical, Deep Imagination conjures atmospheric soundscapes.” (Orkus Music Magazine)

“Gothic romance meets electronic sound art—an absolute highlight for the scene! The soundscapes come across like finely polished pearls: dreamy, mysterious, and carried by an almost meditative intensity.” (Gothic Empire)

"An album full of sparkling sound pearls, of a magical, rare beauty, and executed with near-perfect perfection... an absolute highlight of progressive dream rock." (Blackmagazin)

The recordings blend influences from 1980s neoclassical darkwave, post-punk, and atmospheric art rock. Names like DEAD CAN DANCE or PINK FLOYD are audibly present in the background, yet are transformed into a distinct, cohesive sonic language. (Saitenkult)

“Frankfurt-based neoclassical and darkwave artist Thorsten Sudler-Mainz has released his latest album, titled ‘Come to My Pretty Little Garden,’ under the name Deep Imagination, on which he invites listeners to a darkly romantic revelation of innermost dreams and feelings.” (regenmag)

"An album that focuses more than ever on emotional depth and dark romanticism... It’s about opening up spaces—both emotionally and musically—and seeking connection in an increasingly fragmented world." (Monkeypress)

'‘Keep Searching And Dreaming’ is a drifting piece of music from the Deep Imagination universe, evoking memories of Pink Floyd’s heyday without simply copying them. Deep Imagination does its own thing.' (Rocktimes)

“‘Come To My Pretty Little Garden’ is a title that really piques the poet in me. I like it, and it grows on me a little more with every listen. Calm, beautifully dreamy and melancholic. The perfect music for a cosy evening on the sofa by candlelight with a glass of red wine, or a solitary autumn stroll.” (Spontis)

The vocal dualism between Thorsten and Ann Kareen Mainz works very well in a choral arrangement that is fundamental to enhancing the aforementioned pathos, as is evident from the opening track ‘The Story of a Brave Heart’, and subsequently in the more tense and evocative ‘Send Me All the Dreams’ or in the evocative ritual invocation of ‘Ad Portam Tenebrarum’. (Darkroom Magazine, Italy)

‘An immersive overall experience... Highly recommended for fans of darkwave, gothic and ambient music.’ (Nachtfragment)

Album-Linkfire: https://lnk.to/DI_CtMPLG

Find out album details:

thorsten@deep imagination.de