| CD REVIEW Ihresgleichen |
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Band : Ihresgleichen Founded in 2005, this Stuttgart based German band started out with a 4-track promo in 2007, and self-released its Achim Kohler mixed full-length debut Meister Der Untergang in April 2008 with a line-up comprising former Wasteland and Kashmir members Roland “Bobbes” Seidel (vocals, also of Kaminari and Lazzer repute) and guitarist Davor Sertic (perhaps even better known for his tenure in Tyran' Pace), guitarist Massimo Lia (known from Cosa Nostra, Black Hole, and Claymore), bassist Hannes Farrenkopf, and drum/ keyboards player Linda Radwanski (see E-Lane and Schwarzer Engel), and an Industrial tinted Metal which got the band quite a few Rammstein comparisons due to the fact that vocals are also performed in the native language. Two year further, and of the original line-up only Seidel and Sertic remain, the current band a quartet with the addition of Joe Reistle (on bass and additional guitar) and Axel Winkler (drums; known from Francis Soto). Also still in the team for the creation of this album, is Achim Kohler. On the side of things differeing from in the past, is now also the band's musical direction. In spite of the fact that no keyboardist is mentioned in the line-up, and no credits were given to whomever was responsible for playing 'em, the keyboards have a very big impact on the album. In fact, they bring in a slightly Gothic (feeling enhanced by the continued use of the Teutonic language as means of expressions, as well as the rather frequent use of nice female backing vocals, which oft have an Operatic touch) Symphonic touch to the whole. Guitar-wize, one might speak of a borderline Thrash-meets-Classic Rock riffing with occasionally great solo and lead work. During “Nimmerland” there's even a great calmer Pink Floydian passage. Great attention was given to the vocals, with occasional 3-way layered passages in some of the songs! The combination makes for a whole which is occasionally bombastic (check opening to “Engel der Nacht”, atmospheric (album opening instrumental shortie “in Chalybis Veritas”), and/or instantly catchy (check actual album opening song “Deutcher Stahl”...but only as an example, because the album has more moments like that). Apparently the guys pick up the title track of their debut album, simplifying its title to just “Meister”, and allowing the Industrial touch only in the closing passage of the song. And with album closer “Regenbogen” the guys bring a short but very nice male/female acoustic ballad (only accompaniment is acoustic guitar, and a slight touch of bells at the very end). According to my info, the album was first self-released (in June of last year) under the title Deutscher Stahl, before being picked up by Twilight Zone (hum, at the rate those guys are picking up new signees, one wonders whether the label will survive long enough to give its bands a chance at a second release – I guess the German music business must still be healthy enough) and being renamed to the simpler II. For samples of all songs on the new album (as well as the debut) surf to the band's own website, (www.) ihresgleichen.de (you'll also find some full-length live clips there). For a more limited amount of full-length tracks (2 off the new album, plus 4 off the debut) check (www.) myspace.com/ihresgleichen. Hum, if indeed Ihresgleichen was comparable to Rammstein and found an equal in that band in the past, they certainly made themselves “different” now (and that's a wacky word play on the band's name – just translate to German yourselves). 89/100 Tony. |