"The lights go out, the spotlight comes on - 4 Promille are back again".
After a rather mixed last album, a new album titled "Zeitgeist" from the Oi-Punk band from Düsseldorf is now here.
How many years have actually passed since the band played their farewell gig at Conne Island in Leipzig? That was a celebration. Me in front of the stage. My first and last concert of the band. What a farewell, what a great concert.
Now the guys have been on the road for several years without Melly, and of course, they have also gotten older.
A Zeitgeist analysis in the style of 4 PROMILLE, what could that look like?
The first impression is: Astonishment!
After the intro, which musically alone offers material for three songs, the quartet from Düsseldorf announces that they are ready. A song in the powerful, typical sound of the band. The style of "Alte Schule" has been carefully developed further, resulting in something like "Bereit". A song that could play just before the live performance or serve as an opener on stage. Is this how the band opens their live set when they go on tour starting November 2024?
"Zeitgeist", the third track of the album, is a typical 4Promille song. Musically, it features the finest Oi-Punk, and lyrically, it offers a wonderful reflection on the supposedly good old days, the new times, and the justified question: Was it really better back then?
This is a question everyone should ask who says exactly that.
The other songs deal with similar themes. They talk about aging, about what was, what is, and what will be. Of course, genre-typical self-praise is also present. Interestingly, it rarely comes across as unsympathetic. It feels rather human and relatable. These are lyrics that probably can never be written credibly if what they are about has never been experienced.
The lyrics are mature, well-formulated, and profound.
The arrangements are captivating. It moves forward; musically, the guys have come a long way. What they used to sing about, they can now...
From today on, we play properly
and not too crooked
We really put in the effort,
with every song
I didn't expect much from the album and was massively surprised.
A fantastic album!
Great lyrics, great music, very good recording. Heart, what more do you want?
Whether you call it old men's Oi-Punk or just good music, everyone should decide for themselves. No matter what you call it, the main thing is that you like it.
With such an album in tow, I am really looking forward to finally seeing the band live again.
It will be good, I promise!!
