AFM Records [release date: 10.12.21]
7th album from German band, Stahlmann.
When Rammstein released their first album, in 1995, the German music press coined a new phrase, Neue Deutsch Harte.
NDH became a cutting edge calling card for other bands like Stahlmann, whose later adaptation of the genre softened the industrial rock harshness, discarded the politics and added danceable electronic elements ripped from warehouse all-nighters.
That didn’t meet with the universal acclaim of hardcore NDH fans.
With Martin Soer (writer/ producer/ singer/ programming) leading the way, Stahlmann carried on regardless. Vindicated by the fact that all 6 of the band’s albums over the last 10 years have made significant inroads into Germany’s Top Forty album charts.
Quarz is no different. The band’s MO on each track is a simple one. Get in quick, hit hard and get out again. Soer’s gutteral growl talks its way menacingly, convincingly, through the industrial grind of ‘Sunder’ (Sinner) and the Gothic undertones of ‘Gottmachine’ (guess), the album’s first trailers. In both cases, accessible melodies emerge from the aural gloom, and charge headlong into sturdily Teutonic, one word choruses.
The band offer up these sounds like surges of raw emotion, powerful and hard hitting, modulated by cold, programmed instrumental precision.
Surprisingly, on several tracks, they move away from the macho, machine turned soundscapes. In places, the relatively subdued arrangements of ‘Krahen Der Nacht’ (Crows Of The Night), and ‘Herz Und Tranen’ (Hearts And Tears) may well remind you of Jascha Richter’s or Jean Michel Jarre’s cultured instrumental tones. Both tracks are shrouded in swirls of colourful synthetic textures, whipping up an hypnotic, hard rocking beat. Then ‘Sonnenreich’ (Sunny) goes a step further, flirting with industrial powerpop.
The band is taking risks with this material. But isn’t that what cutting edge means? ****
review by Brian McGowan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Next session: Sunday 1 December
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024
THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)
Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
