Hanzel Und Gretyl – Hexennacht (Album – Metropolis Metal)
Genre/Influences: Metal, industrial.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: This new opus arrives one year after “Satanik Germanik”. Hanzel Und Gretyl have been inspired by the ‘Walpurgis Nacht’ to compose their new work featuring twelve songs, a rather symbolic number, but probably just a coincidence.
Content: “Hexennacht” moves on where the previous work stopped; it’s a furious exposure of ‘nu-metal’ with this particular American ‘industrial’ touch on top. The album features numerous epic chants in Latin, creating a mystic element matching with the theme of the album. The songs are driven by full speed rhythms while the global atmosphere supporting the album injects a touch of doom. The vocals are as usual sung in German.
+ + + : I admit I was more convinced by this work than the previous album. It sounds hard and raw, but also creates a great symbiosis between metal- and industrial music. The epic chants feel a bit like the common thread between the songs, but still brings an extra atmospheric touch to the work. The songs are into power and have been masterly guided by the vocal parts. There are several great songs featured here, but I recommend “Jägermond” for the little Rammstein wink, Triple Hexxx”, which is a great doom-like cut and “Eine Kleine Hexennacht Muzik” revealing cool electronic sequences.
– – – : The sound formula of Hanzel Und Gretyl is no surprise, but in the end we’re all looking for great music and that’s precisely what this album is all about.
Conclusion: If “Satanik Germanik” left me a little less unsatisfied, “Hexennacht” is a brilliant exposure from Hanzel Und Gretyl’s composing skills!
Best songs: “Jägermond”, “Triple Hexxx”, “Eine Kleine Hexennacht Muzik”, “Der Kaiz3rn8tor”, “Wolves + Witches”.
Rate: (8½).
Artist: www.hanzelundgretyl.com / www.facebook.com/hanzelundgretyl
Label: www.metropolis–records.com / www.facebook.com/MetropolisRecords Read the news on ‘Hexennacht’.
About Hanzel Und Gretyl
Hanzel Und Gretyl is an American industrial metal band founded in New York City by Kaizer Von Loopy and Vas Kallas in February 1993. The duo debuted with “Ausgeflippt” in October 1995 on Energy Records, then released 2012’s “Für Immer” (a companion to “Born To Be Heilied”) and 2014’s “Black Forest Metal”, both drawing on satanic and Brothers Grimm-inspired themes. Von Loopy has also released solo material as KyzrWölf, including the album “Reichstar”. “Hexennacht” is the band’s ninth album, continuing the group’s Bavarian-forest concept the year after “Satanik Germanik”.
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