ALBUM REVIEW: Kämpfer – Toxpack

Considering how long TOXPACK have been going, there has to be some level of sympathy for why Kämpfer is such a beige state of affairs. The German hardcore outfit have been making waves in their home territories and the surrounding European scenes since 2001, and whilst TOXPACK have built a dedicated following over their near 20 year career, things appear to be losing shape and energy as they enter their ninth album with Kämpfer.

Things don’t seem wrong at all, but there is a definite sense of an album lacking fire when the first moments of the album ring out. An Der Zeit certainly appears to have everything going for it, with bounding drum beats and huge leading guitar riffs, but everything feels hollow. Everything here is just enough to get the band across the finish line, with no real stand out moments in the first half of this 14 track album, and this is a long 14 tracks given the lack of any real oomph in any of them.

Arsloch sounds familiar, and it works a treat until the penny drops and one realises the lead riff is almost a complete rip off of Fear of The Dark, a song so superior to this that it would be like comparing the statue of David next to a poorly taxidermied badger. It really does detract from the whole album when one of the most memorable moments in it makes you want to abandon all hope and go listen to IRON MAIDEN.

Things aren’t all bad, because TOXPACK are able to really shine their pedigree through. The album boasts a constant momentum that is a staple of the punk genre, and Kämpfer is a near masterclass at never letting the album drop below a riot inciting tempo. It’s easy to imagine these songs being played live, and even easier to imagine how much better they would sound with the energy of an eager crowd behind them. That truly is the most lingering issue with Kämpfer, given that it just feels like a phone in. Every song feels the same, and lasts roughly the same amount of time, until it eventually blurs into a bad collective of power chords and d beats.

There is really no denying that TOXPACK have built a fantastic career for themselves off the back of their consistent, meat-&-potatoes hardcore punk rock. Unfortunately, amongst a scene as vital as the hardcore one, an album of 14, middle of the road semi-ragers isn’t going to make anybodies day, except for maybe the diehard TOXPACK loyal. This is best associated with a Michael Bay Transformers movie, yes there is enjoyment to be had, but it is unlikely you’ll recommend it to any of your friends.

Rating: 4/10

Kämpfer is out now via Napalm Records.

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