HART GENOSSEN VON ABBA BIS ZAPPA

Amazon have been remarkably quick delivering the latest Panzerballett album,, 'Hart Genossan Von Abba bis Zappa'. This is released hot on the heels after their excellent second studio album 'Starke Stucke'. The album title according to ACT Record's website isn't readily translatable - but indeed flags up the presence of Abba and Zappa's music. I thought that from the newer forms of jazz fusion on record, 'Starke Stucke' with its particular blend of metal jazz fusion was the best release last year. And after a few listens, I'll stick my neck out and say 'Hart Genossan' does it again for 2009. The album has tons of visceral energy fusing several styles of jazz and rock together, it is fun, contains great originals and interpretations, makes good used of sax and guitar (metal shred and jazz) as lead instruments, and has the sort of complexities of jazz fusion that make you want to go back and listen afresh to discover different aspects of their playing/music. The album kicks off brilliant ly well with their take of 'The Simpson's Theme' (nice to see the wackiness of Elfman's music being amplified again - Birdsongs of the Mezoic did a great version too some time ago). This is a tune seemingly is in 4 movements: 1st fade in and almost true to the TV version bar the reinstrumentation, 2nd the metal, 3rd cocktail lounge jazz, 4th reprise of metal. An excellent opening to the album and signalling the fun to come. Elsewhere Klaus Dolinger guests on a relatively short song, which is approximately 90% Panzer/10% Passport. As PB demonstrated on their second album, the band are particularlly good at the deconstruction of rock standards and rebuilding in their inimitable style. Abba's 'Gimme Gimme Gimme' gets it this time - with the main riffs of the tune acting as anchor points for PB's type of jazz. In comparison, their treatment of 6 Zappa tunes, covered in two pieces, is relatively polite. PB attack a deathmetal ... standard (is that the right word?) and provide a fair sprinkling of very interesting band composed tunes. These reflect the range of styles PB utilise in their music, where you are just as likely to hear the more traditional jazz vocals and the guteral/throaty death metal voice on the same tune, as well the combinations of screaming/subtle sax-playing, or jazz chords/metal strumming on guitar. One special comment about the less typical fusion of jazz and Eastern European folk music on 'The Mediterranean Breeze', with the most promising Turkish Cypriot guitarist Okan Ersan guesting (check out PB/Ersan playing this tune live on You Tube) .

Such music will give the jazz police nightmares!! !! Strongly recommended.

OK, let's try this game. It's even more insane than their previous one. And it's insane that I love it even more. Maybe songs better suited for this twisting, shifting of everything and so on. Another load of cover songs, but this time, it works slightly better. Just little bit, but measurable bit. I like the way where current German production is heading, with Martigan's new album, Sylvan's work, Lacrimosa, it's getting better every year.

There's sung part on Mein Teil (my tail?) is better than original, but don't have so much jazzy parts (which can sounds almost surreal at times). Also, I think that calmer (not loud, not metal) songs are better than their opposites. This band simply have advantage in jazz parts, it's what they can do the best. But when it's blend of all three elements, it's something like symphony. Only from other side of spectrum, from the crazy side (the Breeze)

4(-), better handled covers than previous one. Leaning almost to masterpiece heights, from which some covers are persuading me not to give full rating. And there's another thing. Death metal thing doesn't really fits here for me (Weary Eyes. This also brings it down. But of course, many things lifts this up. Overall, it's better than his previous brother from 2008, but not as much to give (+)

Saxometal = Sexymetal

Sub-genre:Jazz/Rock Fusion (Definite fit, but the metal guitars are aggressive enough to live in Tech/Extreme)
For Fans of: 1980, Animals as Leaders, Mr. Bungle, Frank Zappa
Vocal Style: Varying male & female on only a few songs (German)
Guitar Style: Huge range of styles electric and acoustic. Heavy as Fredrik Thordendahl, light and warm as Joe Pass
Keyboard Style: rare if any
Percussion Style: Heavy butt kickin' metal right down to tasty jazz & funk
Bass Style: Picked electric with huge style range
Other Instruments: Alto & Bari Saxophone
You are not likely to enjoy this album if: eclecticism and rapid contrast irritates you.

Summary: Wow! There is no half way about it?I LOVE THIS BAND! The easiest comparison I can make is to a more focused and jazzy Mr. Bungle. The styles within are wildly contrasting with seamless transitions and epic proficiency within each style. And this is not just an exhibition of "look what I/we can do". This is a strong body of compositions that hold their structures, even as varied as they are stylistically within each song. The jazz sections are very tasteful and would hold their own in any corner nightclub. The metal section are as heavy hitting and brutal as any Tech/Extreme band. Somehow it all fits. Perhaps most impressive is there choice of composition. Danny Elfman's The Simpsons theme, a challenging piece on its own, is further glorified by Jan Zehrfeld's arrangement with blasting Djent guitar and extended swing section. A rather unusual selection of Zappa tunes are chosen for 2 closing medleys. These guys do not shy away from a challenge. And they present with exceptional interest and taste.

Final Score: Right to the top of my playlist. 5 stars and more if I am allowed to give them. This is a band full of talent and taste that everyone with an appreciation for fusion and metal should have in their collection. Listen to this album!