Artist: Berliner Bombenchor
Title: With Greetings From Hell
Genre: Horror Punk Metal
Release Date: 8th October 2010
Label: Danse Macabre
Album Review
The first thing to say about this five piece retro sounding horror-punk outfit from Berlin is that they're certainly different and not trying to sound like anyone else, which is always a plus when presented with a debut album. It's a good merge of Goth, punk and metal which sews itself together compellingly with English and German lyrics. The first track 'Black Snake' inflicts a catchy and discordant tune with solider than solid drumming and some nice screaming guitars. Alright then. 'Rebel no 1' continues in much the same vein and I find it's not so hard it's assaulting, it's more insidious than that creeping inside your brain and makes for the most listenable music being at once beautiful thanks to the female vocals and never sickly thanks to the dark voice of the amusingly named Alex Anderplatz.
'Danzig on my back' has a grimmer quality with haunting piano intro and is by far one of the best tracks on the whole album. Eerie air-aid sirens and noises of planes overhead make you sit up and pay attention on 'Bomben Chor' and for the first time they sound something like someone else - RAMMSTEIN - never a bad thing in my book. Suddenly just when you think you know where this band is going they veer off course with a funky riffed offering in the form of 'Cold Blood' but it works in a disjointed sort of way as it descends into darker mayhem. 'Blackest of the Black' is not the greatest track on the album, which is a shame as the female vocal is showcased and very strong indeed if a little reminiscent of LENE LOVICH chucked into a metal band. It's very, very nice though, unusual and it catches your attention.
'Frozen Soul' presents one with another veer in direction, with sultry whispered vocals and a very singable chorus. By now I'm really liking this album, it's strengths are what some might consider it's weakness in seemingly having no firm pattern and it's certainly keeping me interested with no two tracks even vaguely resembling one another. 'Back from Hell' is back to the old punky horror style of the first couple of tracks with a killer choppy guitar style and an energy that's really nice to see conveyed. The next track 'Down in Black' has a KATATONIA type edge going on in the guitar work, and more dark TIL LINDEMANN type vocals, and on this track the singers can really stretch their legs and show us what they can do. 'One Million Souls' is a catchy driving track with more half sung half spoken vocals from Alex and good lyrics whilst 'Already Dead' with driving drums and early 80's hardcore guitars is catchier than hell.
The last track is a masterpiece, starting with a disturbing female English sung intro and spoken German overlay, it's hard, heavy and I find myself totally unable to stop listening to it. I've played this album back to back all day and I think you will too, because BERLINER BOMBENCHOR is something else, new, fresh, hard, hot and totally compelling on their maiden offering. If only all bands did so well.
Tracklist
01. Black Snake
02. Rebel Angel N.1
03. Danzig On My Back
04. Bomben Chor
05. Cold Blood
06. Blackest Of The Black
07. Frozen Soul
08. Back from Hell
09. Down In Black
10. One Million Souls
11. Already Dead
12. The One With The Nails
Line-up
Alex Anderplatz – Guitar
Tom Ständer – Drums
Big Ben – Bass
Fräulein D. – Vocals
Ilja Muromez – Vocals
Website
http://www.myspace.com/berlinerbombenchor
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 9 / 10
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