| CD REVIEW Berri Txarrak |
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Band : Berri Txarrak This Basque band (from Lekunberri, Navarre, North Of Spain – about right in the middle between San Sebastian and Pamplona) was originally formed in 1994 as a side-project for singer/ guitarist Gorka Urbizu and drummer Aitor Goiloetxea. Meaning “bad news” in Basque, Berri Txarrak is generally described as “Alternative Rock” (read my comments on that later on) and has the peculiarity of having its lyrics ion the band member’s native language! A demo, recorded that same year, was never released, but in 1995 the guys díd release the EP Maketa. However, BT was still considered a side-project, and things were taken more seriously only in 1997. With two new band members (guitarist Aitor Oreja and bassist Mikal López) entered in the equasion, a new 6-track demo was recorded, following in awards from several demo and band competitions. It earned the band a deal (which become a long-term contract) with GOR Diskak to record their self-titled album (still considered as the band as the basis for their music), which was released during Autumn 1997 and made quite an impact in the Basque Rock scene, thanks also to 3 singles which kept the buzz around the band goin’. With a slightly evolved style, sophomore album Ikasten(1999) was supported by an equal ammount of singles, allowing the band to play quite a few gigs. In 2000 the band also saw their contribution to the compilation album Tributo a Judas Priest appear through the Zero Records label. In 2001, Eskuak/ Ukabilak became the first album to gain attention from media and fans outside the Basque country, and the song “Biziraun” won the band a prize in the Best Song Of The Year category in the Gaztea Saria awards…but it’s only 4th album Libre c (considered the most “Hardcore” album of the band, and featuring guest vocals from Rise Against’s Tim McIlrath on one song) which truly saw the band playing outside Basque country with a European tour that would cover the UK, Denmark, and Germany. Then, following a long tour, second guitarist Aitor Oreja leaves the band, and the remaining members decide to continue as a trio, concentrating on what would be their 5th album, Jaio.Musika.Hil, released in 2005. That same year BT not only toured Mexico, Nicaragua, and the US, but also supported Rise Against on their European tour. Fans had to wait a bit longer (untill now BT releases had come at a steady pace, every 2 years) for follow-up album Payola this time around, but in late 2008 the band announced they had signed a deal with Roadrunner for a September 2009 release. And in between they also released their DVD Zertarako Amestu (a b/w documentary around the band and its philosophies) at the end of 2007. The DVD won the prize for best video at the 2008 Gaztea Award, and was shown at London’s 2008 Portobello Independent Film Festival in 2008. Most probably that added success to the band’s curriculum was what eventually drew Roadrunner over the line in offering the band a deal. Another thing that happened in 2008, was the exchange of Mikel Lopez by David Gonzalez for bass duties. To boost the band’s profile even more, their new label allowed BT to record (during April 2009) the album at Chicago’s Electrical Audio Studios, with Steve Albini recording/ producing. Following the Spanish release of the album (which resulted in a #7 position in the Spanish Rock album charts in the first week of sales), BT undertook an extensive French tour in support of Burning Head during October. Meanwhile, the band’s already been getting positive reviews from the specialized press both in Spain and France. Right, time to say something more about the band’s music, which is generally described by the label as being “Alternative Rock”, right! Well, seems to me like “Stoner” must be a dirty word in Basque…for why else would that term not be used in the case of the band’s “calmer” tracks (the majority)? True, there’s a couple of tracks with a higher pace, and there the Alternative Rock labaling is more in place (in spite of the still down-tuned guitar)! Lyrically the label says (and I have no way of controlling, as I understand hardly any Basque) the songs are charged with emotions, the band using intelligent texts to denounce injustices and proclaim the right for free tough and speech (probably, that’s where they touched a string with McIlrath (featured as guest singer on album opener “Folklore”, but goodness me if I can make him out, as the lyrics are in Basque anyway!)& Rise Against? You can check out some of the band’s songs (4 off the current album, 4 off the previous one, and one last one off Libre c) at myspace.com/berritxarrak. By the way, vinyl addicts will be pleased to learn that Roadrunner Spain also released the album in their favourite form of music carrier in December of last year (I’m sure there will still be some copies left, but as to how you’ll be able to get one…!?). Normally, the band started an international tour in support of the album in February but I ain’t sure where it might’ve taken the band as yet. I do know though, that on March 17th they played at the infamous SXSW (South By Southwest) festival in Austin, Texas! 89/100 Tony. |