Panzerballett: Tank Goodness

Recipe: Take a heavy dose of metal and jazz and add a pinch of funk. Add some wild sax and trumpet. Mix well.
Result: Panzerballett

Panzerballett hail from Munich, Germany and the music they create is as intriguing as their band name. Their latest album Tank Goodness is their fourth overall and what a unique album it is.

The band was formed in 2004 by guitarist Jan Zehrfeld and released their debut shortly thereafter. I have not heard any of their previous releases but that might have to be rectified after listening to their latest endeavor. Joining Zehrfeld are Josef Doblhofer (guitar), Alexander von Hagke (saxophone), Heiko Jung (bass) and Sebastian Lanser (drums). Guest musician Randy Brecker adds excellent trumpet throughout.

The music is mostly instrumental except for a couple of tracks. Starting with a ripping cover of the Brecker brother's "Some Skunk Funk", the band's chops are in full display. Acoustic jazzy rhythms are assaulted with heavy metal guitar riffs and wicked saxophone. In the riff heavy "Mustafari Likes di Carnival" changes in tempo and a polyrhythmic assault on the senses is what you will hear. At times the transitions are a little choppy but the mixture of heavy and soft parts is quite nice. Abrupt changes inundate the slightly disjointed "Giant Steps" where metallic guitar chords interrupt the jazzy sections making one wonder where the song will go to next. For pure bass virtuosity check out the funky grooves in "Zehrfunk" while in a remake of "(I've Had) The Time Of My Life", they take what was originally a sop laden ballad and turn it into their own concoction of pop and metal.

Overall, Tank Goodness is a resounding success. If adventurous music is your thing, Panzerballett's sonic assaults will leave your head spinning. So, are you up for the challenge?

Track Listing:
1. Some Skunk Funk
2. Mustafari Likes di Carnival
3. Giant Steps
4. Zehrfunk
5. (I've Had) The Time of my Life
6. Vulgar Display of Sauerkraut
7. The IKEA Trauma
8. Take Five

Added: December 23rd 2012
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Official Site
Hits: 3536
Language: english

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