ALBUM REVIEW: Kapitel 10: Wilde Augen – Kärbholz

German indie-punk band KÄRBHOLZ have released their new album Kapitel 10: Wilde Augen, just a couple of months on from the release of Kapitel 11: Barrikaden back in March. Technically, this newer release should have been released first, but KÄRBHOLZ are not that conventional. The two albums were written simultaneously in one writing session before being split in two before production began. During production, the band and producers realised that the second album made a better first album. Therefore, the release dates echoed this sentiment, with Kapitel 10: Wilde Augen marking the more rebellious and boisterous of the two albums.

Right from the opening of the first song, Willkommen In Der Zehnten Episode, it is easy to see why. The song is infectious and catchy. Guitarist Adrian Kühn is the stand-out as his guitar work is fantastic and drives the song along. There is even a guitar solo in the middle which makes the most of his talent. In fact, the instrumental performances are all fantastic; Wilde Augen boasts a thumping drum beat from Henning Münch, which – thanks to the production by Alexander Dietz and Eike Freese – perfectly compliments Torben Höffgen‘s vocals, but does not overrule them.

All throughout the first few songs of the album, there are little nuggets of quirkiness that give it that touch of a band not quite losing their fun side. An example of this is in the aforementioned opener, which ends with people clapping. Whilst this element is sadly less utilised throughout the middle and end of the album, it is not lost entirely. The passion that is expressed in the music shines a new light on the album, especially in the explosive energy of a track like Die Letzten Punks In Der Stadt.

For a while at least, this is a highly energetic album that proves that music holds no boundaries; even the more gentle songs, such as Leben In Monochrom, hold that energy, although it does slow down the pacing a little bit, which is a shame because the record is highly fast-paced up until this point. Thankfully, things pick up throughout the last few songs, but it never quite reaches the high energy of the first six songs. It’s almost as if the band got tired throughout the recording process. This does create a somewhat disjointed sounding record. The first six songs are the best of the bunch, but unfortunately it never quite picks it up again.

Overall, Kapitel 10: Wilde Augen is a fun, fast-paced and quirky album at first, but unfortunately it becomes a little bit meandering, with an oddly-paced set of songs in the second half that tries desperately to recapture the magic of the first. The production, vocals and instruments shine brightly, and there is undeniable energy, it’s just a shame that does not translate to all of the album.

Rating: 6/10

Kapitel 10: Wilde Augen is out now via Metalville.

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