Tankard - Stone Cold Thrash by Mark Kadzielawa

 

Tankard is a legendary German thrash metal band.  They formed back in 1982, and by 1986 they were signed to Noise Records, and released their first album Zombie Attack.  Tankard remained with Noise Records for six more studio albums, and then they moved on to other labels and continued to release albums.  Tankard can be described as a heavy band with a great sense of humor, and strong taste for quality beer.  All of which can be tracked down in their lyrical content.  If you love thrash, beer, and fun, Tankard is a band for you.

For a Thousand Beers is a brand new boxset highlighting all of the Noise Records albums from Tankard.  Those are the essential records, and show how this great band had developed.  Many of these albums are not easy to find anymore, especially on this side of the Atlantic.  For a Thousand Beers is a great set of German thrash metal.

Bassist, Frank Throwarth, goes back in time, and remembers the early Tankard years on Noise Records.

When you formed back in 1982 what were your short-term goals?

There were no goals at all. We were just some classmates who wanted to have fun, having some beers and playing metal.

You initially sang for the band, and Andreas played bass, how did you switch roles?

Unfortunately Andreas, we call him Gerre, didn't want to go to music school alone and asked me to join. At the end we found out that I'm a better bass player and he's the better singer. Hahahaha !

How did you get signed to Noise Records?

Well, we’ve send around our 2^nd demo tape and and Noise just replied with an offer. For us it was unbelievable. We were so happy and met in a pub, had some beers and signed it without really understanding the content. Luckily the contract was not so bad.

What do you remember from recording your first album, Zombie Attack?

It was very interesting and exhausting, because it was the first time we recorded in a professional studio. But what I really remember, are parties with heavy drinking and smashing hotel rooms.

How do you feel about that album now?

I still like it very much. Even the sound is not bad for an 80s recording. Additional to this we still play songs from it like Zombie Attack and Acid Death.

Chemical Invasion shows the band really pursuing the “beer” direction.   Can you explain the process?

This was never planned. The whole beer story started with our 2^nd demo tape “Alcoholic Metal”. At the time a lot of different very “Evil” metal styles came up and we found this very funny. As we’ve never slaughtered any virgins or fought in medieval wars, we thought it would be nice to sing about things we know. But nevertheless, we really didn’t want to get rid of the German purity law for beer. Hahahahaha!

At this point, how was the band promoting their albums?  Were you able to tour?

Yes, we toured a lot in Europe. It was a great time for us.

Morning After showed a lot of musical progress, what was happening in the band at that time?

I can’t remember any special reason for this. I think it was just the normal process of learning and  getting routine. 

Also, it was an album very popular in the States, how come there never was a tour in the Unites States?

That’s a good question. Come over to the States is relatively expensive, because of flights and visa etc. and it was just  to expensive for us to go for just a short trip. As we all have regular jobs, we are not able to tour for several weeks. Maybe we will do when we have retired.

Do you have any regrets not trying to capture the U.S. market?

Yes, absolutely.  We have missed to tour there at the time.

How did you feel the band was progressing through the next three albums, The Meaning of Life, Stone Cold Sober, and Two Faced?

We always try to learn and to improve. But to be honest, we don’t plan our music. It just comes what we have in our mind at the time of writing and recording.

Many of your songs have a great live feel, how would you describe a typical Tankard concert from that time?

Pure energy, sweat, beer and crazy bastards on stage.

Do you feel your live album, Fat, Ugly and Live, reflects that feel?

A little bit, because it’s just audio and even a video doesn’t reflect the whole thing.

The self-titled album, The Tankard, gained very good reviews.  Do you think this was the pinnacle of your time with Noise Records?

It could be. On this album, we’ve tried to be more melodic and worked very hard especially on the vocals.

How would describe your relationship with Noise, after nearly a decade long relationship?

I’m not aware about any problems etc.. The contract run out and we’ve received a better offer.

Do you feel that a special time in the history of the band ended once you left Noise?

Just the ironical comments from Karl-Ulrich Walterbach (boss of Noise). I had the feeling that he always had something to complain. Just kidding, it was a good time with him.

All of your Noise records were recently released in a set titled For A Thousand Beers, were you involved in putting this box set together?

Yes, we had to collect and review all the old pictures and videos. It was so funny. We had a lot to laugh about.

When you listen back to these records, how do you feel about that time?  Would you do things differently?

As this was my time as a young and stupid man I would say that it would have helped to drink less alcohol. But at the end, I didn’t learn it until yet. Hahahaha

Tankard is till with us, and there were many records released after you left Noise.  What keeps the band going?

We still love what we do. This is our life. That’s the one thing we are very proud of: we never gave up! Currently we are recording a new Album which will be released later this year and a lot of shows are planned. For me personally I feel the same energy like I had in the 80s.

Mark Kadzielawa

Cactus – The Birth of Cactus – 1970 (Purple Pyramid)

 

Cactus is a great blues rock band from the 70s.  The band is still with us, and their latest album rocks hard.  This is a love release from Philadelphia 1970.  I have to admit that I’m a collector of Cactus’s live recordings because this band was simply unpredictable on stage.  This recording is new to me, and it simply blows me away.

Cactus in the studio is great, but Cactus on stage is even better.  This band was meant to project its magic in front of the audiences.  You can always count on a solid jam when Cactus is involved.  It’s a shame Cactus was always a little overlooked, but they are a monster that refuses to go away.

This show is only 40 minutes long, but what 40 minutes it is.  The band packs a solid punch and keeps you on the edge of your seat.  I suspect they must’ve been an opening act for a bigger act, or perhaps it was part of a festival.  Either way, whoever had to follow this performance had their work cut out for them. 

Cactus delivers a blistering from the opening “One Way…or Another” to closing “Parchman Farm.”  The Philadelphia crowd goes wild, and that energy pushes the band to work even harder.  This performance also captures a very special moment in rock music.  What Cactus was doing over 50 years ago had no musical boundaries, and was very free-spirited.  They were writing the rules as they went along.

There are several of those Cactus live recordings released over the years, and all of them are great.  Even if the quality is not perfect, they make up for it in the spirit of the delivery.  Cactus is still rock’s best kept secret, and based on their latest release, they still haven’t said their last word.  This release is archival, but an essential piece of the puzzle.

Mark Kadzielawa

King Crimson – Music Is Our Friend – Live in Washington and Albany, 2021 (DGM)

Only few months ago this writer was enjoying King Crimson on stage.  Everything was perfect, the band was on, and they appeared to be having fun.  Since then, an announcement was made that King Crimson is switching into silent mode, and suspending any further activities.  This live album appears to be a swansong release. 

Each spin brings back memories from that hot August night.  The band definitely ended their activities at the top of their game.  These live performances are superb.  Nothing here is out of place, a mathematical precision indeed.  Yet, the songs sound very analog and organic.

The album covers just about every phase of the band, and that’s a very wide spectrum of music.  The odd thing about that is that a lot of the music sounds very different much like the line ups that functioned in the past, but there is something that connects it all.  There’s this common denominator, I can’t quite name it, but I can definitely feel it.  It would be easy to say it’s Robert Fripp, but it’s much more than just a single player, even if it’s the key player.

The double CD set is a great listen from the beginning to the end.  The songs flow, and the sound is enormous.  With so many King Crimson live albums available, every single of them appears to be essential for different reasons.  Even if this was not the final set from King Crimson, it would still be a killer live record.  It captures the group at their absolute best, in the moment of time.  If there are no more audiences with the King, this is certainly a satisfying one.

Mark Kadzielawa

Carmine Appice / Fernando Perdomo Project - Energy Overload (Purple Pyramid)

 

Carmine Appice likes to keep busy.  The drummer is involved and two bands (Vanilla Fudge, and Cactus,) but still finds time to pursue other projects.  The pairing up with multi-instrumentalist, Fernando Perdomo, is just the latest of such ventures.

This is an instrumental rock record, and we are dealing with two players who are very accomplished in their fields.  They are showing off their chops left and right because they can, but it’s all done within the context of a song.  Nothing is overplayed here or over-improvised.  Both players are successful songwriters, and they understand what a song may need.  What we have here is a beautiful energy that just flows.  The music is upbeat, creative, and catchy.  You can see that Appice and Perdomo are having a blast doing this record.  It’s fun and relaxing.

From Blow Speaker Boogie to Thunder, this album rocks, sometimes hard sometimes gently.  It all flows very nicely.  It’s well recorded and mixed.  The packaging is very simple yet effective.  It gets the point across.

The album includes two covers, Paul McCartney’s Maybe I’m Amazed, and Rod Stewart’s Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?  Of course let’s clarify that Carmine Appice is a co-writer of the Rod Stewart song.  Keyboardist, Derek Sherinian, makes appearances on the album as well.

Appice and Perdomo certainly capture magic on this record.  Yes, it is a side project, but it’s really a good one.  Records like this one come and go, and then gain a cult status, and cost a lot of money, and time to find.  Get yours today, and enjoy it for years to come.

Mark Kadzielawa

Vandallus - Short Fuse and a lot of Groove by Mark Kadzielawa

 

Vandallus are a hard rock/heavy metal band from Ohio.  They have just released their fourth album titled 4.  The album displays an excellent songwriting ability from the group, and a great execution of the material.  The songs are very catchy, melodic, and musical.  Vandallus are not afraid to take risks and left turns as long as they benefit the songs.  

4 is a beautifully crafted record.  The album has everything to make Vandallus a force to be reckoned with.  As far as the classic hard rock sound is concerned, Vandallus knows how to effectively bring out the purity and class of the music.  While their following is respectable, they still might be considered heavy metal's best kept secret.

Vocalist/guitarist, CrazyV (Jason Vanek) and guitar player, Vanik (Paul Vanek) talk all about Vandallus.  Both members, who are also brothers in real life, describe their musical drive, the songwriting, and how a band like Vandallus is able to function.  The group is completed by Jesse Stown on drums and Tim Frederick on bass.

You just released your 4^th album.  How would you say the band was developing and changing throughout the four albums?

CrazyV:  By now we have found our niche, it comes very naturally at this point.  The four of us have been playing together for a very long time and we always have a killer time when we get together.  Not to mention, our studio is now pretty much a meeting and party center for local bands, haha

Vanik:  I think by now we have created an ecosystem for Vandallus. I believe this record tells our listeners that we can maintain our integrity with the sound they are familiar with, however, with the amount of talent and knowledge around the band and Mercinary Studios there is no boundary with this band musically.

As you were getting ready to record this new record, what things did you want to accomplish with it?

CrazyV:  Prior to this recording we acquired a 56 channel Amek Neve mixing console here at our studio in Avon, OH.  This was a big inspiration of mine.  Just like any Vandallus albums, we try not to overthink it.  I set out to accomplish a natural sounding album the way this music used to be, and the way I love to hear it in my head.  It just works for us.

What kind of a feedback are you getting now that the album is out?

CrazyV:  Overall fans seem to really enjoy this one.  I’ve received great feedback thus far.  Someone mentioned it’s not as “Metal” as the previous album, however Vandallus was never meant to be “Metal” in my book.  It’s just raw old-school Hard Rock without all the polished over-hyped fluff.  We don’t try to be anything in particular; we just do what we love and let the music breathe. 

What are the biggest challenges when it comes to getting your music out and heard by a wider audience?

CrazyV:  The biggest challenge for me is dealing with physical media.  This is the first release that I’ve ever had roadblocks when trying to ship vinyl’s, CD’s, and merchandise to other countries/distributors.  All the BS pandemic policies have made it almost impossible to ship international anymore.  I still have boxes sitting in customs that have been there for over four months.  I’d say the future certainly doesn’t look good for these distribution means.

Are you able to do any touring when you release a record or are those only local shows?  Is there anything being planned to promote 4 to wider audiences?

CrazyV:  We haven’t done any touring yet this year, however we have plans to start soon.  We’re working on a private release show here at our studio to kick things off with plans to possibly make a live DVD.  I refuse to play at places that mandate excessive rules which take away from the energy of the performance especially.

I’ve noticed that members of Vandallus are involved in several other bands/projects.  How are you able to fit all of it into your schedule?  Also, when it comes to the priorities, where does Vandallus fit?

CrazyV:  We all have plenty of other bands/projects that we’re involved in, and I certainly don’t run out of things to do between all my powersports and various activities.  Yes, it makes it difficult at times, but luckily, we have the luxury of our own studio which is a “central” meeting ground for all our bands.  We’re able to schedule projects between us all easily.  We help each other out and get together for jam sessions regularly.  For me, the music of “Vandallus” is in my blood and is always a top priority of mine.  I write songs every week and have a few more albums worth of tunes already to go.

Vanik:  For me, my full-time gig at the moment is my involvement with the band Midnight. Next in line for me is Vandallus and VANIK. All are different in their own way. I honestly prefer having separate bands with different sounds and they all bring something to the table that the other project doesn’t. With Midnight, it’s a very fast, rock n roll band that’s meant for the adrenaline junkies. VANIK is for all the heavy metal horror freak who love old school horror movies, comedy, and thrash metal. Vandallus is a band that is reminiscent to the sound of rock music when it was at its height in our world cultural. Back when music was something people wanted more than anything. It was an escape from the real world. People were watching these shows in stadiums. This is the idea of Vandallus. To keep the sound true to that time while keeping the attitude intact.

Tell me about the Cleveland scene.  It seems like it has a lot of great bands, and a great network.

CrazyV:  This is indeed correct!  We have a great network and always have a pool of musicians ready to help each other out at any given time.  I listen to a lot of bands from Cleveland as I’m sure my brother can vouch for as well.

Vanik:  Destructor, Breaker, Shok Paris, Manimals, Black Death, and all the Auburn Records stuff.  Bill Peters released a lot of classic local albums back in the eighties and he still plays newer bands on his 88.7 WJCU radio show.

You have an incredible sense of melody musically and vocally.  What are your immediate influences?  Have they changed over the years?

CrazyV:  I’m honored, cheers! My influences are constantly changing, I have songs in my wild head all hours of the day, but my roots always seem to stay intact.  I like organic recordings, lots of melody, music that takes me places, and has plenty of room to breathe, especially when I’m out on a long motorcycle stroll or snowmobiling in the mountains.  When I’m working in the garage or at the fab shop I want to listen to Mercyful Fate or Overkill, but Rush, Foreigner, and Bad Company always tends to sail high on my influence list.  April Wine, MSG, Robert Plant, Axe, Australian Crawl, Blue Oyster Cult, The Cars, Great White, GTR, Icehouse, Saga, The Outfield, Fastway, Yes, Dokken, Kansas, Leatherwolf and even some Heart and Roxette at times, I could go on for hours… haha

What kind of philosophy do you subscribe to in Vandallus, or simply what makes you tick?

CrazyV:  Our philosophy is quite simple: we don’t try to be something we’re not.  We don’t try to fit into any particular category or genre.  We play old-school rockNroll that comes from the heart.  It’s about having a good time and bringing back the vibes of the classic era we love and feeling those SSL comps in your soul haha.

Where do you hope to take Vandallus in the next couple of years?

CrazyV:  Many more albums and far away from here...  Haha, this music comes with ease to me, so I’ll just keep on writing about my experiences and doing what I love!  It’s my escape!

Being in a band with your brother can be sometimes tricky.  How does that work for Vandallus?

CrazyV:  Fortunately, we have very similar musical backgrounds and have been playing together for a very long time.  Even though we have two completely different lifestyles; when we unite for music we always tend to click and work very well together.  It’s always nice having someone setup up my shit for me and making my coffee, lol

Vanik:  The hardest part about any band is its members. Having to track everyone down to practice, play a gig, making sure their heart is in the same place or their attitude for that matter. Having a brother sometimes makes it easier. Easier to track down. Some of my favorite bands had brothers in it which is pretty kick ass.

With record sales being very uneven, and no guarantee for a better tomorrow career wise, what motivates you to keep going?

CrazyV:  Something about tracking and mixing with a real analog console, it’s almost like a drug addiction for me.  Honestly, my love for seventies and eighties music and keeping this alive by passing it down to the upcoming generations is a strong driving force, not to mention, most of the new music I hear sounds like a cassette dipped in spaghetti sauce…

Provide some information as how potential fans can get hold of your recordings.

CrazyV:  The easiest and most up to date is always via our website at www.vandallus.com.  Digital is available on all platforms, and we will certainly do our best to ship out physical goods globally as efficiently and quickly as possible (even though international shipping is a mess now).  We will begin playing live shows very soon once I don’t have to comply with all these stupid mandates and rules so that we can provide you the quality show Vandallus is all about.

Mark Kadzielawa

Men Without Hats – Again (Part1) (SNVY78)

 

Men Without Hats are responsible for a tremendous comeback album, Love In The Age of War, in 2012.  It was a beautifully crafted album that can rival just about anything else they did in the past.  You were probably expecting to hear they were responsible for the timeless, Safety Dance, single back in 1982, and yes they did that too.  Now that we are historically balanced, we can proceed to now.

Again (Part 1) is 5-track mini album of covers.  The album opens up with Lou Reed’s Satellite of Love, and then followed by All The Young Dudes from Mott The Hoople, which in fact was written by David Bowie himself.  Both are great covers with solid arrangements and great delivery.  The two tracks somewhat predictable as both artists were big sources of influence for acts like Men Without Hats.  Men Without Hats add their flavor to both songs adopting them as their own.

The next track is where things explode and go from great to amazing.  Tragically Hip’s Blow At High Dough gets an absolute facelift, and goes from this laid back tale to a first grade rocker with a punchy beat.  Men Without Hats sped up the tempo of the song, and focused on the melody line, bring it up to the front.  It’s hard not to love the great arrangement and the outstanding delivery.

Similar treatment is given to The Rolling Stones’ 2,000 Light Years From Home.  Once again the band is playing with the tempo, making this song incredibly catchy and danceable.  This track is now a monster!  Mick and Keith will be scratching their heads with amusement upon hearing this for sure.

The final song is called No Friends Of Mine, and it’s a dramatic reflection of that famous track mentioned in the first paragraph.  It starts sounding as if Don MacLean himself was covering it, but then it develops into something completely different.  There is an element of sadness attached to what normally is known as a very happy song.  Could this be looking back at the passing time?  It definitely makes you stop in your tracks and think, and perhaps appreciate that we’re still here and can enjoy the gift of music.

Again (Part1) proves that Men Without Hats are still in great shape, and nothing can stop them.  Ivan’s vocals are as strong as they had ever been.  The man is simply getting better with age, and his articulation is superb.  This could only indicate that we will be soon receiving part two of this set, or perhaps an album of originals.  Both would be welcomed.

Mark Kadzielawa

Vandallus - 4 (Mercinary Records)

 

Vandallus is a heavy metal band from Cleveland.  Their music celebrates the traditional sense of metal, and this is their fourth album.  “4” is a very grown and mature effort.  Vandallus clearly love what they do; they don’t compromise, and continue to record great albums.

“4” is a collection of nine very well written tracks.  The songs are catchy and melodic with plenty of harmonies, and great vocals from Crazy V.  Crazy V is also responsible for the majority of this material.  The man clearly has a great understanding of music, and how it should sound.  The album revokes the great spirit of traditional heavy metal.  It feels like these guys just took a time machine from 1982, got off in 2021, and made a great record.  There isn’t a big production behind this record.  It sounds great.  The band was able to achieve something very magical here.

There are plenty of great tracks here.  “Parasite” for one really stands out as does “Brainwashed.”  The coolest thing about this release is that it feels like an album.  It’s great to listen to all the way through.  It’s not overly long, just perfect.  But don’t be surprised when you find yourself playing it over and over again.

From listening to the songs one thing becomes very obvious.  The high level of musicianship that is present here.  The sense of melody and harmonies are superb.  They even managed to utilize piano and keys in few tracks, and it sounds truly awesome.  Great guitar work in the rhythm and lead department, and a very tight rhythm section.  At the end of the day it’s all about the songs, and what can be done to make sure they sounds as good as they can.  Vandallus knows this well, and it appears to be their main focus.

“4” is a great heavy metal record.  Vandallus is definitely a band that deserves to be heard by a larger audience.  This album only confirms they are a force to be reckoned with.  Could they be metal's best kept secret?  

Mark Kadzielawa