This post was originally published on this site
If a band says the word “Vikings” enough, sooner or later, DORO will turn up. Germany’s reigning metal Queen adds her ever-enthusiastic pipes to Valhalla, the second track on the latest FEUERSCHWANZ album, and it’s a blast. It’s a fist-pumping slice of high camp machismo, dripping in cheese and boasting one of the more over-the-top choruses this side of Broadway. Curiously though, it’s arguably the least ridiculous track on here.
Now, FEUERSCHWANZ might be relative unknowns on this side of the channel, but they’re a big deal over on continental Europe. They’ve only played a single show in England in their entire career, but Knightclub is their twelfth full-length and it seems we’ve been missing out. Their take on folk metal is decidedly light-hearted, includes an abundance of humour, and this might well be the stoopidest record of the entire year. We hate ourselves for enjoying it.
They may look to times gone by for inspiration, but Knightclub is not even remotely concerned with historical accuracy. The opening title track is a fast-paced mix of upbeat pop and folk metal with a chorus that only takes a single listen to be forever imprinted in your subconsciousness. You could listen to FEUERSCHWANZ just once, and years from now, find yourself humming “at the Knightclub, party at the Knightclub” while sat in traffic. Apparently, it’s a rejected Eurovision entry, and that might be because it was too subtle.
And if you’re hoping FEUERSCHWANZ might wander into more serious-minded folk metal later on, the third track will dash those thoughts in an instant; it’s a cover of Gangnam Style. It’s an IQ-reducing, turbo-charged song that’s hammier than a Hawaiian pizza, and it sounds exactly like you think it does.
Elsewhere, there’s a loving ode to Samwise Gamgee in Samwise The Brave, the bouncy fun of Testament, and a guest appearance from LORD OF THE LOST on the closing Lords Of Fyre. These songs are defined by keyboards that have been turned up to eleventy-stupid and duelling macho vocals whose idea of singing is essentially bellowing everything as loud as possible. It’s knuckle-dragging, lowest common denominator party metal, and it’s very easy to have a good time.
And make no mistake, some of you are going to hate this. There’s going to be a dramatic increase in the number of “that’s not metal” comments because of Knightclub, and this will no doubt be too outrageous even for the hardcore. If you’re willing to accept that heavy metal is an inherently silly type of music and aren’t afraid of looking desperately uncool though, FEUERSCHWANZ may have just gifted you the soundtrack to the end of summer parties.
Rating: 7/10
Knightclub is out now via Napalm Records.
Like FEUERSCHWANZ on Facebook.
The post ALBUM REVIEW: Knightclub – Feuerschwanz appeared first on Distorted Sound Magazine.
