Die Urkatastrophe

Ever since the release of their debut album, 'Menschenmühle', Kanonenfieber have been putting out one masterpiece after the other. Noise has proven time and time again that he is a very capable and talented musician with passion for his work, rushing nothing and making sure his releases are neat and proper. Thus, it comes as no surprise that their newest album 'Die Urkatastrophe' is a solid, genius work that keeps you intrigued and interested throughout all 12 tracks.

Clean production and sharp, clear sound characterise Kanonenfieber’s music and help create a distinct tone that defines the band and their work. In my opinion, not only does it allow the listener to appreciate the melodies and instrumentals more, but it also creates a bold sound that, when combined with Noise’s rough vocals and the band’s lyrical context, invokes a lot of feelings and emotions. I also have to bring up the fact that, even without knowing German, Kanonenfieber’s works manage to invoke a sense of melancholy and dread in me that makes me feel like I’m the one experiencing the horrors of war.

The strongest tracks, in my opinion, have to be ‘Menschenmühle’, ‘Der Maulwurf’, ‘Sturmtrupp’ and ‘Ritter der Lüfte’. Even though there’s no weak or bad song in this release, Noise’s vocals in these specific tracks are exceptional and really convey the anger and despair of a soldier fighting in WW1. The guitars and drums are also amazing, and what I especially love is how almost every track has its own unique melodies and sounds that make it distinct while also keeping the album’s general sound and vibe. While there are one or two songs that are not as engaging, they do not lessen the full experience and do not leave you wanting, as even they have their strong moments.

The closing track, ‘Als die Waffen kamen’ wraps up the album in a very nice way. After listening to the previous 11 tracks and getting immersed in the style and atmosphere, you get hit by an unexpected emotional 3-minute “ballad” that solidifies the experience of listening to this release. Truly one of the best releases of the year and maybe the best work of Kanonenfieber so far.