NO METAL IN THIS BATTLE – Wie Kraut und Rüben

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It’s been nearly six years since their last longplayer Paprika, but Luxembourgish afro post punk band No Metal In This Battle are finally back with their newest album Wie Kraut und Rüben, a German expression meaning chaotic or without order. Although it would be wrong to consider this a six-year break, because four of the songs have been released as digital singles in 2021 and 2022. The two new tracks are shorter pieces and, surprise!, feature vocals, which is a whole new direction for this formerly instrumental band. The album is available as a coloured vinyl record on Muaaah! Records and A Tant Rêver Du Roi, or as a digital download, although it is cheaper to buy the different singles individually.

Side A starts with the new track Lightrider, which is the first time I hear them with vocals. It is a highly danceable track with a definite eighties touch, which is also underlined by the song’s stylish video clip. Released in June, this song has all it takes to become a summer hit. The vocals are slightly vocoded, the guitar has a disco attitude, and the rhythm section is groovy as hell. Next up are the songs from the 2021 single. Shimokita is a well written track that emulates the spirit of seventies martial arts movie soundtracks, and the many-lettered Zeitzonensynchronisationmechanismus features a distorted bass guitar, tinkling chimes and a motoric beat that gives it a pounding krautrock vibe.

Side B contains the songs from the 2022 single plus a new track wedged in between. Disco dans ta cave combines guitar driven post rock with a straight up disco rhythm. It’s a fun track, although my least favourite moment on the album. Lord Of Fuzz is the other new vocal track, at only three minutes really short, certainly not as happy sounding as Lightrider, but featuring a truly blissful fuzz guitar solo towards the end. Fano is at nearly ten minutes the longest track, and is a great jam with tons of musical ideas and a really rousing finale before it ends in a feedback loop, and for those who like that get three minutes more of it on Muaaah! Records Bandcamp page.

Fans of the band might be disappointed that Wie Kraut und Rüben only comes with two new, albeit great, tracks. They will still be delighted by this beautifully done vinyl album which comes with an artwork by Julien Hübsch, a young and very prolific artist, whose impressive collage elevates the album to a true collector’s item.

6 songs

34:35 minutes

***** ***

Genre: afro post punk

Labels:
Muaaah!
A Tant Rêver Du Roi
Don't Trust A Bear

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