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This
year approaches to its end and if
someone asked me about the most pleasant
surprise I encountered I'd probably
answered him, for my part, "Riders
of the Storm". Die Apokalyptischen
Reiter is a band I wasn't associated
with until recently despite the fact
I was always curious about their works.
Being myself a huge Rammstein fan
I couldn't see a band with so many
things in common in a negative way.
An old rhyme says "it's better
late than never" and the group's
latest release proved it was the perfect
opportunity for me to get in touch
with a very special band's music.
Reiter's career
is rich since they're counting ten
years of existence and six studio
releases. I haven't listened to any
of their previous works so my judgement
about them is based only on "Riders…".
By the group's name it's obvious we
have to deal with some German folks.
A strong characteristic of their music
is their preference to Dutch language
in comparison to the English one (just
like their successful compatriots
Rammstein) which the majority of groups
that are dreaming a worldwide success
is using. It's difficult for someone
to categorize their style since "Riders
on the Storm" is consisted by
many and different things. Yes, Rammstein
is the first group that comes in mind
because of the rough Dutch accent
(which I adore) but as you go deeper
into Reiter's music you'll discover
their many influences. Power, thrash,
industrial, folk, electronic metal...
Call it as you prefer! "Riders
of the Storm" is an intriguing
album and after the 3 or 4 first tracks
will leave you wonder in the end of
each song of what will follow next.
No, there aren't many innovations
here but very honest and arousing
compositions. Things that you have
heard before many times but given
in such a way and a variety that you'll
love to listen again and again. Die
Apokalyptischen Reiter seem to do
a great work in both heavier and more
melodic parts. Just listen to the
wonderful ballad "Liene"
to be convinced (one of the best songs
I've listened this year!). The length
of the majority of tracks included
is short and approaches approximately
the three minutes in most of them.
Another characteristic that proves
their connection with Rammstein is
that you feel there is a sense of
humour and sarcasm somewhere in there.
The digipack version I own comes with
"Peace may be with you",
which is "Friede Sei Mit Dir"
in English, as a bonus track.
"Riders of
the Storm" consists one of the
most complete albums of 2006. From
my part I have to look for their past
works. From your part you've
got to trust in Die Apokalyptischen
Reiter and their new album and you'll
probably be rewarded greatly (at least,
I did!).
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