ALBUM REVIEW: TEKKNO – Electric Callboy
Change isn’t always a bad thing, although often requiring great strength and a level of fearlessness to really be successful. During an almost two-year break from normality, many of us definitely decided to re-jig and reassess what truly matters most in life and – perhaps more importantly – where to go next. ELECTRIC CALLBOY have gone through huge changes to lead them to the band they are now, most notably the addition of new vocalist Nico Sallach (formerly of TO THE RATS AND WOLVES) and the return of their rocket-fuelled zest for life approach towards album six – something which is increasingly rare after over a decade together – yet the German sextet achieve with ease.
Starting strong (literally) and kicking off this techno-metalcore journey in style, it’s a song you already know and likely love if you’re reading this review – Pump It. The now infamous hit lets you know immediately that ELECTRIC CALLBOY have entered a new era with their sound, and it’s one to pay attention to. Front-loading TEKKNO with record-breaking singles like alternative Summer anthem We Got The Moves, pace changing MySpace vibes pop-punk track Fuckboi (featuring upcoming touring buddies CONQUER DIVIDE who in CALLBOY’s own words are “the female version of us”) followed by the bombastic mega-hit Spaceman (another feature track, this time from German chart-topping rapper FiNCH) may seem like the party is over quickly, but it’s the latter half of this full-length which is where the new line-up’s true strength begins to shine.
The band may have reached new levels of notoriety during the Summer of 2020 thanks to MMXX EP viral sensation Hypa Hypa, but if the rest of its predecessor didn’t convince you already then TEKKNO truly shows what ELECTRIC CALLBOY have to offer in 2022. Having evidently found their groove once more, TEKKNO isn’t afraid to balance what they currently do better than any of their peers, with injections of pure joy like rave love song Arrow of Love (“we never stop to believe in magic, we’re diving into the light”) and the not-so-subtle standout Tekkno Train featuring moments that need to be listened to twice to be believed, whilst stripping back the comedy at times in favour of darker moments soundtracked to brutal breakdowns and decimating lyrics delivered by lead songwriter and vocalist Kevin Ratajczak on the hardcore punisher Parasite that serves as the antithesis to brighter singles and a blistering reminder of exactly not only what each member of this band is technically capable of individually, but the sheer star power and prowess they possess in the current formation.
Packed to the brim with surprises, it’s been the biggest year of ELECTRIC CALLBOY’s life by a long shot; from selling out tours all over the globe to even being in the running to represent Germany in the 2022 Eurovision, somehow one of their most shocking moves yet is introducing the world to an oddly seamless blend of German Schlager (look it up) and blistering death metal on latest single Hurrikan, where they split their personality in half in spectacular fashion for a brief but unforgettable 99 seconds. Early predicted fan favourite Mindreader keeps things as traditional to an old-school ELECTRIC CALLBOY song as you’ll find from TEKKNO, and highlights the harmony that new vocal duo Kevin and Nico have found whilst also featuring some of the LP’s most cutting lines (“dead, so dead, when I’m done with you you’d rather be dead”). Yet it is the sunny nu-metal record ender Neon that illuminates above all else, marrying every element from the previous tracks neatly together in an impressive technicolour light and leaves you ready to head right back to the start and listen on repeat to stay in its realm just a little longer.
Never known to take the easy or safe route, ELECTRIC CALLBOY have only continued to grow throughout the entirety of their career so far and show absolutely no signs of slowing down anytime soon. TEKKNO is a stratospheric leap forward in every way, and a truly monumental representation of everything that this band stands for – an album for those brave enough to do things their own unique way and stray from the pack, a total breather of positive escapism whilst staying rooted in the hallmarks which continue to connect them to so many, and a very sincere reminder not to always take life too seriously – Viva La Elton John.
Rating: 10/10
TEKKNO is out now via Century Media Records.
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