‘Kontra.’ is the latest release from prolific German punk-metallers Kärbholz. Having released music without fail every year or two since their formation in 2003, to date they have ten previous albums, an EP and two splits to their name (alongside Knock Out and The Krays). Originating from the town of Ruppichteroth in western Germany Kärbholz have reached the lofty heights of the top ten in the mainstream music charts with their 2015 album ‘Karma’ and bettered it with a number two positioning in German mainstream music charts with 2017’s ‘Überdosis Leben (Live Overdose. Hey, did they just break the ‘K’ theme here?
The title of Kärbholz’s latest release, in typical punk style, appears aggressive while holding an overall righteous message. ‘Kontra’ taken on its own means to be ‘against’ or ‘to counter’. However, on closer inspection the name including the ‘period’ as it is displayed on the album actually means ‘Counterpoint’. As the band has previously explained, in music to counterpoint is to explore independent creative pathways while playing alongside harmonically. Hence the wordplay cleverly encompasses both opposition and collaboration, distrust and understanding.
In making this album, Kärbholz had the intention of freeing themselves a little from their previous melancholic sound. They wanted to bring back some of their rebellious punk roots and essentially distill and refine their sound for 2021.
Rousing anthem ‘Nie Wieder’, or ‘Never Again’, opens the album and there’s no sign of darkness here. A rapid-fire song, in the chorus the vocals are shouted out by lead vocalist Torben Höffgen and guitarist Adrian Kühn. However, there is also a guitar solo here to mix things up. The song appears well put together, a key piece to show what they can do and ‘Ewig Leben’ follows in a similar heavy punk vein. ‘Niemans Fallen’ (never ever fall) catches my attention, a hot and cold, up and down impressive demonstration of the ability to switch genres. Punk intro to, sing along wistfulness to all-out rock riffs and back again, yet somehow it works.
I’m a little confused but pleasantly so by this stage. Reassuringly rasping riffs lead into ‘Lanternlicht’ which is belted out relentlessly. Switch to poppy sounding indie in ‘Ein Einsamer Ort’ (‘In a Lonely Place’) and I feel like I’m watching my own look of confusion. Not sure where this has come from but I guess I had read some comments about indie punk rock. It winds up the aggression in the middle but returns to inoffensive chart music by the end. Meanwhile ‘Voran’ is an acoustic ballad. It’s pretty in its melody… well as melodic as songs in the German language tend to get.
Deep down the rabbit hole ‘Shaflos’ sounds like surfer boy summer pop rock and I get up to pour some wine not sure if this is a step too far outside the box. Eyeing the wine in distrust I try to fathom ehm… ‘Roter Wein’ which has descended into riff-infused folk music. I manage to imagine some burly bearded German men pissed out their minds in an Irish bar. ‘Rückenwind’ is some sort of mutation of ‘Tailwind’. Is that a harmonica?
Break out the chillout music, it’s Spanish (or at least acoustic) guitar for ‘Der Schwarze Schwan’, one of the pre-releases from the album. Don’t be deceived, this song is actually about the germination of hate inside and its mutation into rage and tragedy. A look at the world’s current problems with hatred, racism and disrespect, its sound belies its serious message.
In ‘Life and Death’ we return to the fervour and flavour apparent at the beginning of the album, but this time with bells on. This is a magnetic track with some cracking riffs. Guest vocalist Matthi from beatdown hardcore metallers NASTY adds his influence. In the end the band remind you of who they are with a classic boot to the face in ‘Vollgas’ – ‘full throttle’ metal-fused rock to finish. At the very end there is a cheeky nod to the diversity here with an acoustic picked guitar flowing headlong into electric noise. Clever.
If the intention was to distill or purify the sound, then I’d say that that has failed. If anything Kärbholz seem to have muddied the waters. I’ve heard this album described as ‘thrown together’, and I can understand where this might come from. However, what you actually have here is a band letting go of restraint and embracing what they can do. They are at heart punk rockers but they can play rock, metal, folk, ballads, indie and upbeat ‘dance’ type music. It’s a fearless display of what they can do and doubtless one that will bring criticism and perhaps the suggestion of selling out if we remember the high chart placing of recent albums.
So, essentially it is what it is (in teen speak). If you want a punk rock album then about half of this is what you’re looking for. If you are interested to hear what Kärbholz can do then you will enjoy the whole album, or upwards of 90 percent of it. You see there’s a reason for the cockiness. Lots of bands experiment with their sound but few so far and so well. So, picture this album as a confident display of ability… ‘Look at the size of my… tail feathers!’. I bet Kärbholz can’t wait to see what you make of this one. Are you against or are you on side?
- ‘Kontra.’ is released on Friday (26 March). You can get your copy HERE.
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