Macbeth – Gotteskrieger (2009)

This review is about the Germany Heavy Metal band called Macbeth, not to be confused with the other 5 or so bands with the same name. This band has been plagued by bad luck causing them to split 2 times.

It’s been three years since their self titled last album, and with “Gotteskrieger” the band return with a very interesting album, that differs from most Heavy Metal releases that I’ve heard in the last few months.

“Gotteskrieger” can’t be labeled as a traditional Heavy Metal release since the guitar riffs for most of the songs are not very traditional, each song has elements from many other genres that make the band’s sound very dark and fresh. The only ‘common factor’ between the songs are the vocals. They are very raspy but Heavy Metal sounding.

Some songs the guitar work even sounds like in Black Metal songs like in “Das Boot” and “Am Grab”. This is very well mixed through out the album and makes songs sound very powerful and different from other bands that I’ve heard. I must say that this is one of the things that I like the most about this album.

Another element that grabs the listener since the first song is the drumming, since it’s very well produced and mixed. The versatility of the drummer helps the different guitar styles in the album work in perfect unison. There are a few traditional Heavy Metal elements here and there but they are not overpowering in the band’s musical experimentation.

The bass guitar here is very noticeable in some songs providing them with that extra punch that many bands are forgetting to use these days, or that is getting lost in the mixing of other albums. The use of what it sounds like kids voices in the song “Maikaefer Frieg” is very eerie and sounds awesome in this song, the acoustic passage (cello plus acoustic guitar) in this song makes it one of my favorites to the album.

Overall “Gotteskrieger” is a very interesting album that needs to be listened a few times to fully appreciate the genre blending the band does. I did not expected to like this album much after the first time I listened to it, but it grew on me. Give this album a try and you will not be disappointed since it features a very interesting sound.

Release: July 24th, 2009

Country: Germany