This time we have a review of a double live CD that dates back to 2010, but is still relevant. Why is it still relevant?
Well, first of all, a live recording is always something special in my eyes, a document of the times, and secondly, the four guys from Saarland have set up a small monument for their fifteenth band anniversary and at the same time recorded a decent overview of their previous work.
The band recorded a total of 23 songs during a fantastic concert in Berlin.
The two CDs come in a dark digipack with appealing photos, which is housed in a black cardboard box that also includes a sticker and a poster. So it's a great presentation that fans have surely owned since its release.
The tracklist leaves nothing to be desired, featuring well-known and beloved songs by the band's fans such as “Krawallbrüder,” “Zurück auf den Straßen,” “Halb Mensch Halb Tier,” “In Dubio Pro Reo,” and “Auf uns” on the two discs.
The recording is fat and powerful. It fits perfectly with the Oi! street punk / Deutschrock of the band. In particular, the drums are very voluminous, but the guitars are not far behind.
The biggest weakness is the vocals. Pascal screams and sings raw, angry, powerful, and honest, but is hardly understandable if you don't know the lyrics. That is somewhat annoying. Pascal certainly doesn't have the most nuanced and clearest voice, but the sound engineer has done a great job with the rest of the band. Why not with the vocals as well? Did someone not want to hear what the band has to say?
The audience is mostly only heard during the announcements, which is a bit of a shame since they were there the whole time. It seems that after the recording in Berlin, some adjustments were made at the mixing desk, resulting in the songs sounding like a live recording, but without people in front of the stage.
This won't bother fans of KRAWALLBRÜDER. They will turn the knobs up and have fun for 23 songs.
All others might want to avoid using this album to test the band.
There are other, better records out there.
And for those wondering why there is no discussion with the band on ramtatta.de, let me say that we can have that discussion, but should this record be the reason?
Much has been written about the band. Some of it is certainly true, some is not. I myself have seen the band several times and have my own experiences to share, but this, like all other opinions, is subjective. Those who like the band will continue to like them, and those who don't will not be missing out.
Politics are far from the band, and a connection to Böhse Onkelz cannot be denied; sometimes clearer statements should be made so that not right-wing extremists also find this band appealing. Right-wing phrases are not Oi! And everyday racism is also racism! Some of the so-called fans should reflect on that.
