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Pavlov's Dawgs
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Pavlov's Dawgs |
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| Tankard are a thrash metal band from Germany formed in 1982, and are recognised as one of the four pioneers of German thrash, along with Destruction, Kreator and Sodom - better known as the Teutonic Four. The band have released seventeen studio albums during their four decades at the forefront of the worldwide thrash metal scene. Thematically, Tankard have focused on alcohol use and partying for many of their albums - such as 'The Morning After' (1988), 'Stone Cold Sober' (1992), 'Kings Of Beer' (2000), 'The Beauty And The Beer' (2006), and 'R.I.B. (Rest In Beer)' (2014). More recent albums though, have concentrated on other subjects such as politics, dropping the beer theme, maybe in an attempt to be taken as a more serious band. But as for thrash metal, Tankard are deadly serious, thrashing the world into submission for over forty years with a crushing blend of brutality, ferocity, and speed! | ||||||
| With the release of 'Pavlov's Dawgs' (2022), the band now have a catalogue of eighteen (studio) albums - the second most by a thrash metal band! A feat only bettered (as of 2022) by American legends Overkill - who have released nineteen! Yes readers, not even any of the "Big 4" can match these two...yet! Only Megadeth get anywhere near with sixteen! And if I've got my numbers wrong, or you know of a thrash metal band that has released more - then do let me know. But for now - let's get back to the matter in hand...the new album from Tankard. Ten songs and fifty five fast paced and ferocious minutes of neck breaking, skull crushing, bone snapping, and quite frankly, fucking fantastic thrash metal. The album gets underway with (presumably) the title song 'Pavlov's Dawg', and a tension fuelled one minute intro that places you right on the edge of your seat - only for Tankard to knock you flying off with a sudden and highly destructive change of pace and power: 'Pavlov's Dawg' a rip roaring scorcher of a tune! Heads will be rocking fast, and very hard... | ||||||
| ...as the band storm on with the traditional metal edged 'Ex-Fluencer' - demonstrating the age old classic "foot on the monitor" feel. Tankard have always managed to cater for thrashers and metal traditionalists throughout their entire career, seamlessly carving out a prolific trail of head bang ability. Nodding their heads back to their alcohol themed days, the band party on with the heaviest song heard so far - the beer soaked 'Beerbarians', raising a glass high and delivering a heavy anthemic edge. Tankard calling their legions of fans and followers to arms with a rabble rousing anthem to chant, sing and scream! And without a pause for a breather, the album steams on with the blistering 'Diary Of A Nihilist' - a powerhouse of a thrash metal romp that's gonna send every mosh pit into overdrive, instantly creating walls of death. What a song, what an album, what a band! | ||||||
| Bringing forth a little menace not heard so far, Tankard take a sinister approach for 'Veins Of Terra' - a crescendo building march of thundering thrash that eventually breaks out into a fast paced barrage of fire and brimstone. Swinging from all out thrash to a more traditional tornado, 'Veins Of Terra' is a boundary breaker of the highest order. With a higher sinister level than the previous song, the band hit top gear with the scorching 'Memento' - setting new land speed records as it scorches the Earth it hurtles across! Tankard have been performing at the highest level for over forty years, losing none of their passion or energy for delivering high performance thrash metal. And talking of high performance - 'Metal Cash Machine' is the crème de la crème of the album! It's heavy, it's fast, it's infectious! Everything great about thrash metal is contained within 'Metal Cash Machine's six and a half minute run time - including a cracking melodious intent. Simply superb - there's no other words. | ||||||
| Tankard may be seen as veterans of thrash, entering the twilight of their career, but boy they're no way near the end - 'Pavlov's Dawgs' proving the band are as good now as they have ever been! The new album knocking spots off many newer and younger bands that are around today. With a mellow slide into 'Dark Self Intruder', Tankard build a highly anticipative intro, allowing the bands punch and crunch to come crashing in before storming off at a traditional metal pace - the band once again breaking boundaries to cater for a wide array of listeners. Ramping up the pace and power, 'Lockdown Forever' is a red hot scorching rampage of all out thrash - hugely head bang-able and an absolute barnstorming barrage of savagery, probably the most savage song of all! Bringing the album to a close is the longest song on offer, 'On The Day I Die' clocking in at six minutes and forty five seconds in length. Mellow to begin with, 'On The Day I Die' builds and builds to become an all out thrash metal fury. And fierce too - the band thundering along, banging the heads of every fan, follower and listener from all around the world. | ||||||
| Overall, a thrash metal avalanche that is weighty, thunderous, and highly infectious, 'Pavlov's Dawgs' sizzles with energy and passion. | ||||||
| Review by Iron Mathew Collins | ||||||
| Review is also featured at Metal-Roos | ||||||
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| One Foot In The Grave | ||||||
| "Tankard have delivered a sparkling thrash metal experience, proving that they are no where near having one foot in the grave" Read Review | ||||||
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| For A Thousand Beers | ||||||
| Boxed Set | ||||||
| "a superb collection of thrash metal, defining the early years of one of the most enduring bands ever - Tankard" Read Review | ||||||
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