Artist: Tankard
Title: Vol(l)ume 14
Type: Album
Label: AFM Records
Well, Christmas has come a little early this year in the form of Tankard’s self descriptive 14th studio album, Vol(l)ume 14. As a cornerstone of Germanic thrash, what does this latest album bring? Is it the ferocity of Sodom, the anger of Kreator, or maybe even the screaming brutality of Destruction, their three equally longstanding Germanic peers? Maybe Tankard has gone in a new direction, or maybe the album cover of a crate of lager is a giveaway as to what lies within? Yep, Tankard have stuck at what they know, what they’re good at, and what they know their fans want, namely beer soaked fun!
Tales of excess and alcohol abound, all played with Tankard’s undoubted proficiency and unflagging enthusiasm. ‘Fat Snatchers – The Hippo Effect’ is a head banging ode to fad diets, littered with hilarious lines like “where is my dick, long time no see”, Guerre’s growl perfectly supported by the guitar and drums of Andi and Olaf, and fellow original member Frank’s thumping bass. ‘Brain Piercing Of Death’ cranks up the comedy quotient even higher, telling of a stage diving uber fan who shows his metal credentials with a pierced cerebellum, dedicating his self trepanning to Satan, no clique being untouched as the track simultaneously managing to lampoon and celebrate the devotion that metal instils in its true fans.
Whilst the band is dedicated to entertainment, amongst the boozy comedy is some social commentary in the form of ‘Black Plague (BP)’, a genuinely angry attack on the corporate greed that leads to environmental disasters, the music having a harder edge, and Guerre’s vocals coming closer to the venomous snarl of Mille Petrozza with a scorning sneer not normally heard in his grinning delivery. Not to worry though, the band soon gets back to the path they have trod for so long, future Tankard classic ‘Somewhere in Nowhere’ delivering a gem about the dangers of trying to mix air travel with excessive drink, and the inevitable ejection from the plane, whilst ‘Beck’s In The City’ is an excruciating picture of heavy metal speed dating, a three minute maelstrom of drunkenness, beer bellies and body odour!
Tankard may never win awards for innovation, but what they do, they do better then anyone else. Their irreverent style is an obvious influence on the likes of Gama Bomb and a treat for those who just want to have fun with their music. Get to a Tankard gig, and be prepared to drink and enjoy yourself; buy this album and prepare to grin. Morose self harming shoe gazers take note, music can be fun, and Tankard is the proof!
http://www.tankard.info
http://www.myspace.com/tankardfrankfurt
