Year: 2021
Total Time: 32.44
Label: AFM Records
Here we are dealing with another release of the Neue Deutsche Harte scene by the German label AFM, which is considered the one that promotes this specific genre. These are STAHLMANN (a man made of steel) and their 6th album that is entitled “Quarz” (Quartz). In essence, STAHLMANN is the personal project of the musical genius who listens to the name Martin “Mart” Soer (vocals, programming), who constantly changes the other members of the band. Since their debut album,with the same name “Stahlmann” (containing the word steel) back in 2010, they often use chemical elements / metals such as “Quecksilber” (Mercury), “Adamant”, “CO2″(carbon dioxide) on their album titles. In fact, in their concerts they are sprinkled with steel dust / gold dust to look like they are made of metal / steel!
They are considered a very “hot” name in this genre having entered the official German charts in the past and many described them as the new RAMMSTEIN (A sacrilege t.b.h …)! With “Quarz” they got me surprised once again as it is a stormy record that lasts approximately 33 minutes with 10 dynamite-like songs. It’s rare for the last track of an album to be the best, but that’s the case here with the incredible “Willst Du”! It is a very RAMMSTEINish track, with sharp guitars, awesome electronics and fast drums that are played by our compatriot Dimitrios Gatsios! The rest songs that stand out and make you sing them all the time are “Wollust” and “Gottmaschine” (oh my God what a song this is, just listen to it in the link that I quote)! This fact does not mean that there is even a filler on the album! You put the record on and on and you can listen to it all the time, discovering more and more details that you had not noticed before!
STAHLMANN uses the classic recipe of this idiom as well as: harsh vocals in German language, sharp and riffy guitars, equal doses of hard guitar and electronic elements with the same balance in the mix, as well as a regular drummer and not a drum machine. So how do they differentiate themselves from all the other bands playing the same idiom out there? Martin’s vocals are even harsher and distorted (and full of effects) in a purely industrial style, very dark (in some places it even approaches the gothic style) which no other band in the same genre has. Also his programming and his keyboards’ parts (very dark too) are so inspiring that they really could surprise everyone!
As for the production, it is needless to say how perfect it is! I clearly declare myself as a fan of them, and I have been following them since 2010 buying everything that they release in physical form. I really believe that after the founders of the genre RAMMSTEIN – who are uncomparable – STAHLMANN is the top Neue Deutsche Harte band! In fact, “Quarz” is one of their best albums. I hope they continue like this. I highly recommend the album (in natural form you can find it as a beautiful digipack). Give it a try, even if this genre does not have many fans in Greece. As for myself, I will always have the desire to see them live somewhere in Germany, because the chances of bringing them to Greece are the same as for the sun to rise from the west!
Rating: 7,5/10
Editor: Dimitris Argyrakis
Related Link: STAHLMANN – Facebook Page
