Genre/Influences: Body-pop, EBM, electro-pop.

Background/Info: German trio Schwarzbund features René Müller who you maybe remember from DavaNtage and Future Trail, Dirk Wuttig and Martin Klingemann. This is the third album by Schwarzbund, which also is the first one released on Sonic-X.

Content: Schwarzbund brings different-, but related music influences together creating a sonic cocktail of electro-pop and EBM. The album reminds me to a mix between And One, Frozen Plasma and Patenbrigade: Wolff.  The main part of the album is rather soft and easy-going, but there are also a few harder cuts for the clubs.

+ + + : There’s a nice twist between melodic pop passages and EBM sequences. The German vocals accentuate the link with aforementioned formations although Schwarzbund also tries to create their own approach. I like the songs with great melodic choruses, creating an elevating effect. “Einklang” is a well-crafted and efficient cut illustrating the melodic approach of this work while the EBM touch gives the song more power. But the album is not only about power and danceable cuts, but globally speaking an easy, listening work that will mainly appeal for lovers of electro/body-pop music.

– – – : There are to many ‘soft’ songs featured, which after a while become a little less annoying. I’m missing power in these songs, which can only be heard in a few, rare tracks.

Conclusion: “Aktion, Mensch!” is a well-crafted work, but I get the feeling there’s more potential in this work than what came out of it.

Best songs: “Einklang”, “F66”, “Unser Sein”.

Rate: (6½).

Band: www.schwarzbund.de / www.facebook.com/SchwarzbundOfficial

Label: www.sonic–x.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Sonic–X/223123321069481

About Schwarzbund

Schwarzbund is a German band featuring René Müller, also known for his work with DavaNtage and Future Trail, alongside Dirk Wuttig and Martin Klingemann. The group’s album chronology includes “Irrlicht 2012 a.D.” and “Von Der Suche Nach Wärme Und Licht” (both 2012), “Schatten Im Verstand” (2014) and “Herbstsonne” (2015), before “Aktion, Mensch!” became the band’s first release through Sonic-X.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

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