Head Count

Let's cut to the chase. If it weren't for this band being antisemitic, this album would be a half-baked (but decent) speed metal entry. Unfortunately, the whole Nazi imagery (which isn't helped by the fact the band is German) and lyrical themes really stunt these guys.

The instrumental work is sloppy at best. The leads are decent, pretty melodic at times, and the riffs are standard for speed metal. The drumming was where I was a little interested because, especially on the album opener, The Battle, the drums seem to speed up in parts they aren't supposed to. They're technically in time but going a bit too fast compared to the bass and guitar. The bass is audible in the mix, albeit hardly, and doesn't really do much. Kinda just plays off the root note, maybe some accent notes thrown in. Nothing too special.

But hey, enough blabbering. I’m upset at this album, but I’ll give credit where credit is due. As ashamed as I may be to admit this, the songwriting is good. While the riffs are very simple, they work like a charm. Pair them with the manic 4/4 drumming and some barebones basslines, and you get some pretty decent tracks. This next comment hurts, but there’s a section of Jew’s Blues that actually works really well. After the first guitar solo, the song picks up speed and this riff kicks in that’s just so killer. I’m pissed about it given what the song is about, but it’s good. Other notable tracks include Black Death and Burn the Church.

In conclusion, I should've known right from the start with the Nazi hat on the band photo, and by just the title of track two, Jew's Blues, that this album would be hard to stomach. Some lines I will never forget, as they're truly harrowing, go as follows:

"Back in the summer of '43,
Say goodbye to your friends, you won't see them again
They're headed out East on a cattle train"

Favorite tracks: The Battle, Black Death, Burn the Church