ALBUM REVIEW: Komet – Megaherz
Having been on the scene for more than twenty-five years, MEGAHERZ know how to put out a good record, and know what works. 2018 brings their ninth studio effort, Komet, can they deliver and produce the same quality that fans are accustom to?
Kicking off with Vorhang Auf, it’s a bold, booming track that intertwines the heavy synth sound and that industrial metal theatrical edge that comes with MEGAHERZ. The riffs are strong, and the vocals gravely as ever. Overall the melody and pumping energy is a really strong start to this album. Title track Komet starts with a sharp, dirty riff that immediately demands attention, before the thrusting heart of the track picks up and fills the space around it. Another strong song, thoroughly emotive, not least thanks to the vocals solidifying that cold, ponderous feel. Climaxing at a great crescendo, it’s a fitting track to ease you into this record. Third track Scherben bringen Glück begins with a particularly chiptune opening. This is potentially a more positive sounding synth track than you might usually bring to a metal album, with big piano moments and catchy choruses. Indeed, the overall sentiment to the title phrase, which in loose terms means to break a think is to bring luck, is a pretty optimistic one, so it makes more sense to keep the track away from a darker tone.
Horrorclown takes it right back to that sinister, industrial sound. It’s evocative, bouncy music that encompasses more theatrical vocals that just work so well in German, with a little soundbite from everyone’s favourite President, it’s both political and massive fun. After such a great, explosive track, Von Oben feels a little more ponderous, grown up and sorrowful. Coming to an almost symphonic metal edge, that overlap with the industrial elements very much lends itself to this song. Echoing notes, moments of quiet mean this is perhaps a little slower than what’s come before, creating a somewhat odd pacing for the record, Nevertheless, it’s not a terrible track that emphasis the more thoughtful side of MEGAHERZ.
Tiefenrausch rolls round again for another stab at a more layered, keyboard led track. For those that German is not a native tongue, to understand the titles of this album makes the overall feeling of the track make much more sense. There’s a reference here to the deep ocean, or to even decompression sickness. The great ambiguity of language allows the potential for a foreign listener to feel a notion of complete isolation and confused, illness and out of body. Stomping, loud, this is also a track full of smaller intricacies that are great to pick out over a second or third listen.
Schwarz oder Weiß is another well-paced, menacing track. There’s so much intention behind the feeling of this album, it’s a clear indication that MEGAHERZ have truly streamlined their sound to such a point that every track is truly precise. That’s not to say this feels tired, there is still so much energy and experimentation that this album still feels like a fresh band. That can clearly be said of Heldengrab, bringing in that Eurotrance element to the synth. There are moments on KOMET that can’t really be called metal by today’s standards in any sense, but nevertheless feel pretty funky and just seem to fade in and out without any rhyme or reason. It’s a pleasant track for those who like the more synth side of the band, but others looking for riffs and stomp won’t find much here.
Nicht in meinem Namen, is perhaps more of a track to satisfy that particular set of listeners. Riffs and hooks, big rhythm sections and bending strings of guitars echoing over an orchestral heart, create a well realised tune that holds a strong contender for one of the best songs on this record. Likewise, Trau Dich once more demonstrates the power and intention that MEGAHERZ have over their records. It’s not the most experimental track but with fuzzy riffs over a big thunderous beat, slightly campy vocals, great choruses and easy to follow progressions all together make for a solid tune. Nicht genug is one of those “save the best for last” tracks. If you’ve gotten all the way through, and why shouldn’t you if you enjoy yourself some German Industrial, this is the most all-encompassing tune that demonstrates everything great about this genre and long-standing bands like MEGAHERZ.
Overall, MEGAHERZ have demonstrated that yet again, they understand industrial metal as a genre inside and out. Here on Komet, they masterfully play within the limits of what can be done with the genre, and often cross completely out of those boundaries altogether. While this interweaving of ideas might not be for everyone, those open to the big sound and the undeniable energy of this album will have a blast.
Rating: 8/10
Komet is out now via Napalm Records.
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