TANKARD - review added 15th December 2010
Album Review: Vol(l)ume 14 (2010)
For fans of: Thrash... and alcohol
German thrash metal band Tankard - Andreas Geremia on vocals, Andreas Gutjahr on guitar, Frank Thorwarth on bass, and Olaf Zissel on drums - was formed was back in 1982 and still boasts two of their original members. Their first album "Zombie Attack" appeared in 1986 on Noise Records, and they are now (as the title may suggest) on their 14th studio release.
The band members are self-confessed musical beer-o-holics, and with this album are adding political activist-o-holic to their resume. 'Black Plague (BP)' is a rant against the oil giant and a welcome show of intelligence alongside their old classics like 'Beermuda' and newer ones like 'Beck's In The City', which could of course be about David Beckham visiting Sarah Jessica Parker.
The sound is the typical gnarly thrash you get from 1980s heavy metal acts, although unlike the recent release from fellow 1980's thrashers Exciter, Tankard have actually bothered to update the production levels to near-modern standards. The album is all the better for it.
Good:
The way "Vol(l)ume 14" keeps one foot in the past and one in the present is commendable. This is exactly how bands with a long term cult following should move forwards. The musicianship is excellent in places, although Tankard's style doesn't always give the guys chance to shine. Some of the lyrical progressions are hugely memorable, if not always for the right reasons.
Not So Good:
I'm not convinced by the vocals. Andreas Geremia hasn't got a bad voice by any means, but he's too gravelly and retro in comparison to the rest of the music. He's perhaps the one part of the sound that hasn't moved on as much as the rest. Still, if you liked him before you'll probably like him here. I don't want to call the album thrash by numbers, but there's little of exception or novelty value on it. "Vol(l)ume 14" is perhaps stronger at continuing the legacy than creating a new one.
Also, small moan, but there really aren't enough beer references in the song titles. Come on, this is Tankard! We need silly ale-orientated names aplenty.
The Songs:
Best moments on the album include the thumpingly rhythmic 'Rules For Fools', the groovy 'The Agency' (even though it does sound like they're singing about an ancient sea), the super fast and fun 'Brain Piercing Öf Death', and the catchy mad-lyrics of 'Beck's In The City'.
In Summation:
"Vol(l)ume 14" has plenty to like, but not a lot to love. Tankard have produced finer work than this, but I still see plenty of people finding something to enjoy here.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall:
Check out... the madness of 'Beck's In The City'.
Track List:
01. Time Warp
02. Rules For Fools
03. Fat Snatchers (The Hippo Effect)
04. Black Plague (BP)
05. Somewhere In Nowhere
06. The Agency
07. Brain Piercing Öf Death
08. Beck's In The City
09. Condemnation
10. Weekend Warriors
Label: AFM Records
Artist's website(s): Tankard | MySpace | Facebook
