Vinlandic Stormtroopers

Gestapo SS is well known as the one of the representatives of so called National Socialist Black Metal. If somebody wants to get into that sub-genre, Gestapo SS will probably be the first band that person will listen to. Gestapo SS is from the U.S.A. and the NSBM scene there is no worth of attention. The real scene is in Poland, Norway, Ukraine, Russia, etc. The band has a sounding and interesting name so one will rather listen to Gestapo SS then Absurd for example.


But enough talking about the band, here comes the review of the album. This album is awful. Guitars are good but vocals and guitars aren't tuned. Quality is also on the low level. This is a demo album so it can be forgiven to them. Lyrics are usual but not for NSBM but for R.A.C. bands. Skrewdriver cover song, “White Power”, is the only good spot on this album. They should have become a R.A.C. band not a black metal band because it doesn’t suit them. They should just change the vocals, improve the quality of production and record it again as a R.A.C. album and it will be awesome.


This album was released in 2002. It means that they haven't recorded a new material for six years and I hope it will stay that way. I see that some members of Gestapo SS are also the members of another NSBM band and I hope that band is better than Gestapo SS. I've heard of Pantheon but I haven't listened it yet so I can’t tell, but I will do that soon. I give 30% rate for this album because it isn’t so bad composed. It could be better with a little more effort and more talented musicians involved in the project, for example the same people are playing guitars and doing vocals. They could hire a singer and just dedicate to the guitars.

With two reviews that totally contradict eachother, I would like to note that this album is a superb collection of songs. The album has an obvious raw feel to it, which is created greatly, by tuning down the vocals a bit, and letting the drums and especially the guitar flow wonderfully through each song.

The album starts out with some parade-nazi song obviously not created by Gestapo SS themselves. Still, its sets the vibe, and we get the picture...these guys are neo-nazis, and proud of it.

Like I've stated before, the guitar has the overtone on this album, and thank god they play it great. On the first song "Fist of the Zogcrusher" we immediatly hear these guys are talented enough to create nice, cool riffs. With the song "Hill of Beans" they created their highlight on the album.

The band also uses the occasional slower, less raw feeling songs like "Intro to the Aryan Hordes" and "Wotan" (a nice accoustic piece.)

The former reviewer mentioned that it sounds like these guys don't really understand eachother quite well, this is in my opinion not necessarily true. It sounds more like these guys wanted to create a feeling of distortion, and they do it great.

Now...the lyrics aren't the bands strongest part, with raging parts screaming "KIll the fucking jews" you won't get much poetic praise, but luckily metal isn't about creating well thought of lyrics, although it is a nice pros, its really about creating a certain vibe and mastering your instruments.

And that they can.

Strongly recommended.