To listen to Kanonenfieber with their sophomore album “Die Urkatastrophe” brought me some emotions and, at the same time, some what ifs all of them just because of opening track “Großmachtfantasie” and its intro.
Well, first of all the more important, the emotion. The first thing that popped up into my mind while listening to “Großmachtfantasie” was Accept’s “Fast As a Shark” intro. Ok, they aren’t that similar, but what got me was the cracks of the vinyl. I remember to have lost my mind when the fifteen year old me heard it for the first time. Love at first sight. Second I loved the slow paced distorted strumming that immediately made me remind of Marilyn Manson’s cover of Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).” I admit I don’t like Marilyn Manson, but this is one of the best covers I have ever seen in my entire life. The dark and demented twisted atmosphere of the song was the first thing that caught up my eyes.
Now the what ifs. The recorded speech in German immeadiately raised my eyebrows because as I don’t understand a word in German the first thing I thought it could be some Second World War speech. One sad name popped up into my mind. You all know who. The cracking sound of the vinyl made me think it could be an original recorded speech. Well, in fact, it was as I discovered later. Plus the Deutschland! Deutschland! chorus raised hard suspicion. Thing is I don’t have the habit of reading press releases before writing reviews. I only go to them when I need some info about the band or the album or both. If I used to I would know for sure. So, I ran into the press release to check it out. Well, as a matter of fact it wasn’t. Maybe I jumped into conclusions. Neverthless, one has to take these days. I wouldn’t forgive myself if I wrote a review about a nazi band. But, after all considerations, “Die Urkatastrophe” has an interesting thematic.
Ok, now about the album and its mastermind Noise. Noise started Kanonenfieber in 2020 after reading through his deceased great-grandfather’s diary that he wrote at the frontlines during the Second World War. Apart from memories, it was the only thing left of him. A hobby historian and friend of Noise transferred the diary from the original Sütterlin which was gifted as a book to Noise’s grandmother – his great-grandfather’s daughter. When Noise read through the bone chilling first-hand accounts, it became clear that he wanted to dedicate his art to commemorating the countless victims of war in general. The concept that was drafted together with his friend hinges on authenticity, with lyrics and linguistics based on reports, letters and other historical documents.
Noise, speaking about the back story of the new album, “Die Urkatastrophe”:
“The First World War accelerated the path to modernity and is considered the “Die Urkatastrophe” (= “primal catastrophe”) of the 20th century, which was characterized by wars, violence and displacement. Around 17 million people, soldiers and civilians lost their lives, large parts of Europe were destroyed and unresolved problems were left behind, which led to further violent conflicts. This album is dedicated to the victims of the First World War, so they are not forgotten. May their fates be a warning for all following generations even after more than 100 years,” says Noise who records all instruments in the studio and who is also responsible for the concept of Kanonenfieber.
Very interesting, huh?
Alright then. Musicwise, “Die Urkatastrophe” is raw and crude. It’s possible to say the album has those features as a guideline making it a bit monolithic. There are spoken parts all over the album to give the historical real deal feeling the album proposed. Most tracks as “Der Maulwurf” have some kind of anthemic drive that makes them epic and grand delivering the fan a powerhouse of raw energy. A big highlight to the bass lines all over the album. The only downside I can think of is the poor mix of the drumming that got it so low. The overtones don’t help either. In “Lviv zu Lemberg,” though, they are adequate. Shortly, this is a nice album to listen and as an invitation to reflect about war and everything it brings.
Kanonenfieber “Die Urkatastrophe” was released on September 20th via Century Media Records.
Track Listing:
- Großmachtfantasie
- Menschenmühle
- Sturmtrupp
- Der Maulwurf
- Lviv zu Lemberg
- Waffenbrüder
- Gott mit der Kavallerie
- Panzerhenker
- Ritter der Lüfte
- Verdun
- Ausblutungsschlacht
- Als die Waffen kamen
Watch “Panzerhenker” official lyric video here:
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