If the idea of metal bands doing covers albums is starting to wear thin, then Werk 80 II is certainly not going to change your opinion on them. Longtime German extreme metal band Atrocity have taken 12 80's new wave/dance/pop hits, and given them a gothic metal spin here, which for some might be a work of pure genius, but for fans of the band's more extreme fare this sequel to 1997's Werk 80 might seem like another complete debacle. Don't expect any of Atrocity's crushing death metal here, not by a long shot. This is safe, symphonic gothic metal, plain and simple, with clean male & female vocals over crunchy riffs and loads of symphonic keyboards. In a few instances, the band actually gives new life to some of these songs, like the Depech Mode classic "People Are People", "Fade to Grey" by Visage, and "Relax" from Frankie Goes to Hollywood, each one with pumping rhythms and symphonic & heavy arrangements. However, for the most part the results here are somewhat sappy and heavy handed, as the band seems to be trying too hard to retain the original feel of these songs and, and in the end they have lost all resemblance to Atrocity the band. We want to know that this is Atrocity playing these songs, but on almost every tune here they come across as a faceless band trying to mimick an 80's new wave act. Simple Minds' "Don't You Forget About Me" and the Eurythmics "Here Comes the Rain Again" are perfect examples of this-there's just no Atrocity stamp at all to these pieces. Where's the growls? Where's the screams? Where's the mammoth guitar riffage? They come close on "Hey Little Girl" by Icehouse, but it's not nearly enough. Some of the keyboard work is actually the highlight here, especially on A-Ha's "The Sun Always Shines on TV" which will instantly remind you of Nightwish. In actuality, there lies the problem. Atrocity seems more concerned here trying to comes across as how Nightwish, Epica, or After Forever (sans the lead female vocals of course, although there are plenty of those here) would sound if they were to do something similar. It just seems that Atrocity have once again taken a big gamble with Werk 80 II, one that might pay off slightly with the goth crowd who happen to love the hits of the 80's, but there's no doubt their extreme metal fans are going to really be confused with this one, just as they were a decade ago.
Track Listing
01. People Are People (DEPECHE MODE)
02. Smalltown Boy (BRONSKI BEAT)
03. Relax (FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD)
04. Don't You (Forget About Me) (SIMPLE MINDS)
05. The Sun Always Shines on TV (A-HA)
06. Hey Little Girl (ICEHOUSE)
07. Fade To Grey (VISAGE)
08. Such A Shame (TALK TALK)
09. Keine Heimat (IDEAL)
10. Here Comes The Rain Again (EURYTHMICS)
11. Forever Young (ALPHAVILLE)
12. Feels Like Heaven (FICTION FACTORY)
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