Panzerballett - Starke Stücke (2008)

Artista: Panzerballett

Álbum: Starke Stücke
Año: 2008
Género: Jazz Metal
Duración: 45:58
Nacionalidad: Alemania

Lista de Temas:
1. Pink Panther
2. M.w.M.i.O.f.R
3. Smoke On The Water
4. Friede, Freude, Fußball
5. Wind Of Change
6. Birdland
7. Dreamology
8. Thunderstruck
9. Zickenterror
10. Paranoid

Alineación:
- Jan Zehrfeld / guitarra y bajo
- Andreas Dombert / guitarra
- Gregor Bürger /saxo
- Florian Schmidt / bajo
- Sebastian Lanser / bateria

Para reventar algunas cabezotas de Moog, el Mago Alberto trae éste disco pedido por CalleNep... si no conocen este proyecto, escuchenlo un poquito... entero por favor... Van a ver cómo se llevan éste disco.

Satisfacemos un pedido de CalleNep, él pidió éste disco y el Mago Alberto se lo trae a él y al resto de los cabezones. Vienen dos disquitos de esta banda, con éste comentario de Alberto:

Por un comentario del estimado Calle Neptuno y su posterior pedido de presentar a esta banda germana, acá vamos con dos placas de Panzerballett, Starke Stücke y Hart Genossen Von Abba Bis Zappa, dos trabajos que nos muestra a una banda haciendo versiones de temas tan disímiles como La Pantera Rosa, el tema de la serie Los Simpson, el archiconocido Smoke on the Water de Deep Purple, o el Gimme Gimme de Abba, un proyecto del guitarrista aleman Ene Zehrfeld junto a varios amigos sesionistas del panorama jazz de Alemania, un rejunte de músicos superprofesionales incursionando en un género que ellos mismos denominan jazz-metal, deambularon por cuanto festival de jazz había por Europa y recibieron el halago de cuanta revista especializada se edita en el medio. Todo suena perfecto, grosso, sincopado, y con mucha polenta. Quizás este tipo de bandas no queden en la posteridad de la música pero lo que no se puede negar es que versionan de una manera descomunal, no vas a recurrir diariamente a escuchar estos discos, pero están navegando en el ámbito recreativo, especial para poner de fondo cuando estas dando vuelta las achuras en la parrilla y comentar con tus amigos e incluso con tus hijos (si los tenés).
Dos proyectos que te van a caer de perillas, si te gusto Mattias IA Eklundh, éstos discos siguen la misma senda.

Alberto

Y como queremos darle un poco más de brillo a la entrada pero yo hoy estoy congestionado, con sueño y pocas ganas, les copio otro comentario de alguien más despierto que quien les escribe, principalmente para que iluestre un poco más lo comentado por Alberto:

La maravilla de Internet es que permite escudriñar, dar rienda suelta al melómano impenitente que llevamos dentro. Hay aciertos en ese extraño rumbo y también horrores garrafales. Es en este devenir virtual que llegué a Panzerballett y su segunda placa, “Starke Stücke”, editada bajo el alero de la discográfica ACT.
Este grupo, oriundo de Alemania, trabaja una suerte de jazz-rock que nace del camino que pavimentara, por ejemplo, el feroz combo Naked City y que Mr. Bungle siguiera. No hay tanta experimentación como en esas dos bandas, o al menos no a niveles radicales, pero el conjunto germano se las arregla para entregar una grata sorpresa que colinda en los terruños sonoros antes mencionados con elementos más potentes, atisbos de funk, sonoridades latinas y otros lenguajes.
"Starke Stücke" se compone de 10 cortes que no poseen desperdicio alguno. Es más, el álbum esta tan bien cohesionado que difícilmente uno podría disociar o eliminar algún tema. No obstante, lo que más llama la atención es que los alemanes incluyen seis “covers”, con versiones totalmente novedosas. En efecto, la placa se inicia con el clásico tema central de la "Pantera Rosa", "Pink Panther", en una versión furiosa, llena de esa mezcla bizarra entre metal y jazz y que de inmediato engancha al auditor.
Otras versiones interesantes son el cover de un clásico de todos los tiempos: "Smoke on the Water", en una impronta tan propia, que lo único reconocible es ese riff monumental que creara Blackmore hace más de 30 años; la versión en bossa de "Wind of Change" de sus compatriotas de Scorpions o una distorsionada revisión del clásico de Joe Zawinul, "Birdland".
Sin embargo, la placa no sólo destaca por la variopinta selección de covers. Las composiciones originales son extremadamente logradas, destacando la muy rockera "Dreamology" y las esquizoides "M. m. M. i. O. f. R." y "Zickenterror", que además cuentan con llamativos juegos vocales.
Sin duda que Panzerballett es una agrupación que merece ser descubierta. Musicalmente, los tipos son virtuosos. Pero hay más que la excelencia en los instrumentos: está el manejo de diversos lenguajes lo que evidentemente aporta y gusta de inmediato. Prueba de ello es el cierre de "Starke Stücke" con una increíble revisión del clásico "Paranoid". A mi juicio, el mejor cover que se le ha hecho a este tema.
Como mencionaba, vale la pena buscar y escuchar a este interesantísimo colectivo teutón, que sorprende con su segunda placa y que nos deja con ganas escucharles más cosas. Un tremendo descubrimiento que se hace necesario recomendar.

Felipe Kraljevich M.

Y vamos con algunos comentarios en inglés de este gran disco, el primero del sitio All About Jazz:

Those who bemoaned the breakup of the short-lived quintet version of mid-1990s group Lost Tribe which, along with saxophonist David Binney, bassist Fima Ephron and drummer Ben Perowsky, featured the twin guitar salvo of David Gilmore and Adam Rogers, will welcome the ACT debut of guitarist Jan Zeherfeld's Panzerballett. With a similar lineup, Panzerballett is as intrepid as Lost Tribe ever was in finding unexpected ways to bring together styles many would consider incompatible.
Unlike Lost Tribe, however, which devoted itself exclusively to original composition, Panzerballett's Starke Stücke is divided between largely Zehrfeld-penned tracks and covers of material ranging from AC/DC and Deep Purple to Henry Mancini and Joe Zawinul. And while Lost Tribe occasionally delved into metal-tinged aggression but also incorporated elements of hip hop, Panzerballett more exclusively emphasizes a hardcore aesthetic.
Both "M. w. M. i. O. f. R" and the lengthier "Friede, Freude, Fußball" feature guest vocalist Andy Lind's near projectile-vomiting screams, but that needn't turn off those looking for clearer jazz emphasis. Both tracks are episodic—a defining characteristic of Zehrfeld's writing—and, while Panzerballett's relentless energy is in full force, so too is the hint of a lighter touch. Guest saxophonist Alexander von Hagke solos with abandon over a complex, M-Base-tinged rhythmic foundation from bassist Florian Schmidt and drummer Sebastian Lanser on "Friede," while a power chord-driven coda to the saxophonist's solo is followed by a subdued passage featuring Zehrfeld and Schmidt in an ethereal two-way before ultimately leading back to a more head-banging finish.
As intriguing as the Zehrfeld compositions are, with "Zickenterror" a fiery piece of avant-metal sporting an abstruse vocal exchange between Conny Kreitmeier and Zehrfeld, it's the cover material that reveals the most breadth. One might expect a group with this kind of heavy metal predilection to pull out all the stops for Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" but, instead, it's a gentle duet between Zehrfeld and Dombert that renders the song nearly unrecognizable. The markers of Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" are more readily apparent, although it's not guitar but saxophone that delivers the iconic opening riff. Again, the approach is more M-Base than metal, although the pounding guitars and staccato rhythms keep it well within Panzerballett's overall context.
The Scorpions' "Wind of Change" is reinvented as a soft ballad, with sophisticated reharmonization setting the stage for a dexterous solo by guest guitarist Ulf Wakenius that actually swings. Another ACT alum, guitarist Nguyên Lê, delivers a reckless solo filled with rapid legato runs and whammy bends on Joe Zawinul's "Birdland" where, for once, this over-covered Weather Report is turned into something truly new.
Despite its overall intensity and throbbing rock rhythms, Starke Stücke is an album that could only have been made by a group knowledgeable of the jazz tradition. While certainly not for the faint-at-heart, Jan Zehrfeld's Panzerballett is a group that, like Lost Tribe before it, brings new meaning to the term fusion.

John Kelman

A promo of the new Panzerballett album Starke Stücke came through my letterbox this morning and it hasn't been off my CD player since. Along with Paul Hanson's 'Frolic In The Land Of Plenty', Panzerballett's second album are my favourite jazz fusion releases heard so far in 2008.
But then Panzerballett plays music distinctly different from Paul Hanson's fusion. 'Metal fusion' would be a minimum definition, but that term misses so much. PB have moved to one of the big German jazz specialist labels ACT Records, (home of EST for instance) for their second studio album, and been encouraged to include some 'standards' and arrange these in PB's own style, along side their own compositions/arrangement. Album playtime is therefore shared approximately 50:50 originals to standards.
Their particualrly vigorous use of standards is rather inspired, as you have now a clearer view of where they have come from and where perhaps they are taking their form of metal jazz fusion. Two standards that have caught my ear, and so suffered repeat plays, are Henry Mancini's Pink Panther theme and Joe Zawinul's radio friendly Birdland. In a clever piece of thinking they have taken these two tunes, and deconstructed them. Birdland now consists of familiar phrases from the original tune, repeated several times played very heavily and then sometimes with a strong hint of math rock; (although in an odd way I also feel this tune is being played similiar to how Acoustic Ladyland might attack it, if that band cared to played thrash metal!) Btw it works very well asa start before they get round to their own improv. PB's scrubbed down Pink Panther now comes with a severe heavy and sharp edge, it too also works well; indeed you have to think twice that this came from a film score played by a studio orchestra. In addition, you will find other tunes have undergone a Panzerballett revamp, including those from the songbooks of Black Sabbath (Paranoid), Scorpions (Wind Of Change), AC/DC (Thunderstruck) and Deep Purple (Smoke On The Water- in a form that won't have you banned from the local guitar stores, if you could play it). In a delightfully perverse way, a couple of these tunes have been been arranged and played virtually in the absence of heaviness, instead becoming straight ahead electric jazz. One of Panzerballett's own compositions to catch my ears is Friede Freude & Fussball, which kicks off (a deliberate pun) with a simple theme based on the common football fans' chant heard at most stadia through Europe, Saturdays and Sundays, and then it builds!
An excellent album especially for those who like the heavy/metal end of jazz fusion. Further, an album which may provide the gateway for math rock fans who want to sample and then progress into jazz fusion.
4.5 stars - but definitely needs more time before I'm prepared to say this a 5 star essential album - but let me say four tracks are already I-Podded as favourite tunes.

Richard Heath

At first, when I saw certain song names (Smoke, Wind), I though that it's just mundane, cover album. I know 5/10 songs as originals, so I supposed I'll be disappointed. But because you see "but" here, you can probably guess by now that my experience was different. I already knew their first album and was eager to hear more. OK, I would be more interested in their original work, then completely rewriting (in game world, it's called total conversion), but overall is pleasing. Or at least little bit pleasing.
The problem is, that I don't like idea of covers. I grew up listening pop covers of their more successful classical brothers, so I don't like them now. But it's not just my problem, doing your own song, music, or lyrics, it's the best way. And that's the problem, or maybe I can call it advantage. This music is new, they managed to import long solos, slighter and greater differences in these tracks, that only thing which (sometimes) reminds of original is melody. I don't have to say that instruments are different, style also and that this is something between jazz/rock/metal, right ? And the important thing, atmosphere, the feeling you get from these songs is very, very different, because of saxophone, different guitar, many things. But I like it, it's like
4(-), because even I like it, I know that except certain parts of this album, these songs are covers, but then I say to myself that they're completely different. Take it as you wish, it's your decision after all, I've already made mine. I like it.

Marty McFly

Metal up your... jazz! Again!
STARKE STUCKE is the second album from the German jazz/fusion-metallers. Contrary to their debut which consisted only of their own compositions, this time they have included 6 'covers' of classic tunes; and I put the word in apostrophes because most of those covers have very little to do with the originals. The main theme of each original track is apparent but, in general, PANZERBALLETT pick the tunes up and transform them into metal jazz themes of their own...
The album contains 4 completely new compositions (all done by mastermind Jan Zehrfeld like before) which resemble to the band's debut work; jazz/fusion saxophone tunes co-exist with heavy-thrash guitars to create an attractive musical outcome. This time, the tracks are relatively shorter, more concise which subsequently makes this album more 'listenable' than the debut. My favourite of their own compositions is M.w.M.i.O.f.R, consisting of crazy, speedy fusion rhythms and heavy slow guitar riffs in the vein of Machine Head, Mastodon etc while the ending reminds the best Meshuggah moments. The only vocal-based track is Zickenterror; a berserk song with abrupt breaks and vocals (male and female) sung in the most bizarre fashion - I believe this could have been a Fantomas song or something similar.
Another small deviation from the debut is that the ratio of metal:jazz here is much higher. More and more metal-influenced guitar riffs have taken over and I don't blame Dick Heath for singling out Friede, Freude, Fußball - probably the 'jazziest' track. From the cover songs the band has selected I am not familiar with Birdland but I can guess it is well transformed from its original version along with the others.
With the exception of the Scorpions and Sabbath tunes, all the other covers are performed in the most lively and energetic way that uplifts the tracks in a different dimension. The former are executed in a more 'lounge-jazz' style with no snappy intervals and major surprises but with excellent melodies. Pink Panther and Thunderstruck are in my opinion the most successful 'transformations' from the prototypes, embodying various heavy guitar riffs.
You have probably understood by now that this has been a (more than just) satisfying and enjoyable experience to me. Overall, STARKE STUCKE sounds more mature, concise and FUN (!) than the band's debut and I would not hesitate to recommend it to tech/prog metal fans and jazz lovers. The PANZERS are back with a shout!

Thanos (Athanasios)

I am a minor jazz fan; my dad was the one who really initiated any spark within me, with his collection of over 200 jazz albums (not including his over 200 vinyl records). A friend of mine showed me the song Zickenterror, and I was determined to search them out . I got my hands on STARKE STÜCKE, perhaps one of the greatest fusion albums I have ever heard. Blasting off with Pink Panther , the band shows their great skill with saxophone and guitar mix. M.W.M.I.O.F.R. (don't ask me what that stands for) is great, with heavy guitar, raging saxophone, and in the end a great er- "vocal" part that accentuates the heaviness of the album. The band then does a great take on Smoke on the Water . Then Friede, Freude, Fußball (Peace, joy, football [soccer]) comes in with great melodies and funky elements. Wind of Change offers a soft jazz breather. My favorite track on the album is their take on the classic Birdland . A great more mainstream (ish) track is Dreamology with great fusion elements. A great take on AC/DC's Thunderstruck comes in with the telltale hammer-on/pull-off piece then with heavy guitar/sax duology. A funnier song with its ridiculous vocals is Zickenterror with an awesome funk part near the end. Paranoid ends the album on a softer note.

Andy Webb

The outstanding Jazz/Metal Fusion band Panzerballett presents a very skilled and humorous classic rock and jazz cover tunes from the 70's interspersed with a handful of originals to break things up. The covers are rearranged as heavy jazz tunes with profoundly interesting results. Certainly more than a few purists would scream bloody murder at the result of the key change laden version of Smoke on the Water. The song is at least recognizable, unlike their version of AC/DC's Thunderstruck, which if you don't hear the first 5 seconds would sound like an original. Birdland is presented with verve and energy true to the original, with strong modern twist. The clean electric guitar solo version of Paranoid is another filled with key changes not heard in the original. This version is very, very mellow.
The originals on the album are expectantly eclectic and tongue and cheek. Zickenterror, which is a re-arrangement from the debut album stands out as a quirky, punky, funky manic joyride. Overall the album has a very strong metal element, though not as heavy as the subsequent Hart Genossen
Final Score: Easy 5 stars. I am a sucker for skill, innovation and humor, all of which are contained here.

Ian

Disfruten que ya vendremos con más Panzerballett...