ALBUM REVIEW: Zwanzig.Tausend Volt – Toxpack

German streetcore collective TOXPACK are celebrating their second decade together with their diverse tenth album Zwanzig.Tausend Volt. Translated as “Twenty Thousand Volts”, it’s fuelled by their signature punk angst and makes for a compelling listen despite the potential language barrier.

The most surprising aspect of this 15-track album is TOXPACK’s energy. There’s a refreshing punch in each song, proving that their long career hasn’t led to stagnation. From comedic tracks like Bastarde Für Alle Zeit (“Bastards Forever”) to the grand anthem Nur Für Dich (“Only For You”), there is so much range to be found here.

If there’s one thing TOXPACK know how to do, it’s write a chorus. Those found in the title track, Schweinehund (“Bastard”) and Wehe, Wenn Wir Losgelassen (“Woe If We Let Go”) in particular are so gargantuan they could make any non-German speaker learn the language just so they can sing along. Zwanzig.Tausend Volt and Wehe, Wenn Wir Losgelassen both share the effective touch of layering the melodic shouts with gang vocals to empower the hooks. This subtle choice has a major impact on the two tracks, contrasting Daniel ‘Schulle’ Schulz’s gruff vocals brilliantly.

Lyrically, this record is an unpredictable journey. Heartfelt tracks such as Noch Einmal So Wie Früher (“Again As Before”), Totgeglaubt, Doch Neugeboren (“Thought Dead But Reborn”), Zusammen Einsam (“Together Lonely”) and Nur Für Dich are quite serious, discussing their memories, self-belief and loneliness. But with big sentiments come big riffs and fast fills to uplift them. On the other hand, Himmelwärts (“Heavenward”) is similar lyrically but sounds softer, accompanied by instrumentation to match the sombre words. This final track turns away from rock/punk and instead relies on piano, sung vocals and deep rumbling production to create an emotional piece.

All of this is completely contrasted by two tracks in particular: Ozean Voll Scheiße (“Ocean of Shit”) and Bastarde Für Alle Zeit. Ozean Voll Scheiße is quite existential, questioning the state of the world very blatantly and could be viewed as quite dark. The following track moves on swiftly, telling the tale of their career. Bastarde Für Alle Zeit‘s translated lyrics include “Twenty years ago, Berlin spat us out, with no direction, no plan, we were never itchy […] We travelled all over the world, brought you the epidemic, and with bastards of tomorrow, true gutter poetry, Bastards for life”. Light-hearted and probably incredibly sentimental deep down, it gives an insight for new listeners and couldn’t be more fitting for an album that’s celebrating this momentous anniversary.

Fifteen tracks can be viewed as excessive in an age where album lengths are not dictated by analogue technology, but TOXPACK have used each one well, leaving no fillers and plenty of variation. Zwanzig.Tausend Volt truly sets the standard for records of this length this far down an artist’s discography.

Rating: 8/10

Zwanzig.Tausend Volt is out now via Napalm Records.

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