Split personality, anyone who calls themselves that has thought about the name, or at least should have.
SPLIT IMAGE from the Bielefeld / Paderborn area are actually quite seasoned veterans, as the band was formed in 1992. After a breakup in 1997 and a reunion in 2007, the band is now releasing their second album after the reunion on KB-Records (the label of Krawallbrüder) titled “…bring light,” which suggests that the band enlightens us, or the split personality brings light? Somewhat confusing.
The title track, however, goes straight for the jugular and represents what the band and their lyrics are about. Against the right, against communists, Christians, and mullahs. So basically against everyone. The split personality sends its regards. One can have this attitude, but what are the guys from East Westphalia really about? And what does the line “Someone has to do the job” mean? It fits well into the lyrics, but what does it mean? This line can be interpreted in many ways. However, before I get too political, questioning, and doubtful, I’ll listen further to what SPLIT IMAGE has to say. The next song “Freitagnacht” beautifully describes how one gets ready for Friday night, meets friends, and the party takes its course.
With “Die Welt ist eine Scheibe,” song number 5, critical tones are struck for the first time, which everyone can interpret differently, but which everyone should take to heart. Everyone has prejudices and a plank in front of their head, but it’s never too late to start thinking. This criticism becomes more concrete in the song “Neo oder Neu,” particularly criticizing the left. How should one view the band? Since the band has spoken out against politics from the very beginning and does not want to stand on either the right or the left, one shouldn’t be surprised if criticism rains down. However, one should never forget that “right-wing phrases are not Oi.” However, those are not heard on this album. Whether “Bella Ciao” has to be sung at the end… well, let’s chalk that up as a plus point.
Overall, SPLIT IMAGE offers twelve songs on “…bring light” that are enjoyable and neither get lost in dull, brash German rock nor celebrate Oi in every second line, even though they definitely come from that corner. SPLIT IMAGE moves somewhere between rock, Oi, and punk, so somewhere between Toxpack, Troopers, Soifass, Oire Mutter, and the Broilers from Düsseldorf.
