DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER “Tief. Tiefer” /Ltd. Deluxe Slipcase 2x Digibook CD + Artbook Set/

The tenth full-length studio album by German Heavy Metal/Hard Rock band.
The tenth album by the hand of these Germans guarantees for something special. From rather Extreme and Dark in the early years of "Allegro Barbaro" and "Love Is All You Need", over crazy circusclowns on "Samurai", "Riders On The Storm" and "Licht", to a mature combination of both on "Moral & Wahnsinn" and "Tief. Tiefer"… What does the arrival of the Red Rider bring along?
So, on their tenth studio album and their twenty-second anniversary, “Die Reiter” take us on some sort of trip throughout the realm of Extreme Metal. Obviously, all these styles are but short fragments, as the true fans expect some real “Reitermania” in each song. This comes in the shape of a blend of Melodic Death Metal and hard Nu-Metal, with an obligatory wink to Rammstein every once in a while. "Hört Mich An" is a good example of this style. In strophes, the pace is high and the tone is hard, while on choruses and intermezzos, the pace somewhat drops in service of a more tranquil and epic atmosphere. Singer Fuchs’s vocals vary from epic and tormented over angry grunting up to cheerfully inciting, but always fizzing with energy. Clean piano is largely replaced by orchestral keyboards, but fortunately they are still present on songs such as "Franz Weiss" and "Ich Nehm Dir Deine Welt".
All in all, this is a typical Reiter-album, which is always a guarantee for some fooleries here and there. The funny little xylophone on "Hört Mich An", ludicrous alien choirs reminding of Devin Townsend Project’s "March Of The Poozers" on "The Great Experience Of Ecstacy", "Die Freiheit Ist Eine Pflicht" and "Ich Nehm Dir Deine Welt", hyperfast or estranging, distorted piano solos…
Lyrically, we can be brief: The Red Rider finally brings doom and apocalypse over the world, so abandon ship!
At the same time, "Der Rote Reiter" is a very mature album. Guitarplay and composition are the best we’ve heard from Die Apokalyptischen Reiter so far. "Folgt Uns" and especially "Herz In Flammen" are in many respects absolute and varied pearls. Catchy, hard, balanced, melancholic, innovative… On their tenth album, Die Reiter offer the best of their genre, with a little treat for anyone as long as it can be heavy and inspiring. You can’t really do any wrong by buying this album!!
Strictly Limited to 300 copies Clear Vinyl in Gatefold cover.
Nuclear Blast GmbH, 2017 (NB 3914-1). Made in Germany. First press.


Tracklist:

LP 1

Seite A
1. Wir Sind Zurück 3:57 
2. Der Rote Reiter 4:51 
3. Auf Und Nieder 2:56

Seite B
4. Folgt Uns 3:56 
5. Hört Mich An 4:33 
6. The Great Experience Of Ecstasy 3:38

LP 2

Seite C
1. Franz Weiß 3:30 
2. Die Freiheit Ist Eine Pflicht 3:28 
3. Herz In Flammen 4:54 
4. Brüder Auf Leben Und Tod 3:56

Seite D
5. Ich Bin Weg 3:51 
6. Ich Nehm Dir Deine Welt 6:08 
7. Ich Werd Bleiben 4:49 
Ich Nehm Dir Deine Welt

Total playing time: 54:27 min.

The ninth full-length album by German Heavy Metal/Hard Rock band.
"Tief, Tiefer" is more melodic and a little less heavy in comparison to their previous albums, but it's works really well for the band and showcases their clever musicianship and adaptable skills.
The album gets a really good kick-off with the opening track, “Freiheit, Gleichheit, Brüderlichkeit”. Guitarist, Ady, produces solid, heavy riffs which, combined with banging drums by Sir G and dirty groove bass work by Volk-Man, makes the song complete. It’s an incredibly catchy track that instantly hooks new and old fans and strongly persuades them to continue listening to the rest of the album. The raucous vocals from Fuchs adapt and change, displaying a heavy side before switching to a softer choral melody. The album rolls into the second track, “Wir” – another headbanging masterpiece! Fuchs’ vocals are again heavier, seemingly influenced by Death Metal whereas the keyboards and symphonies are shaped more by the Symphonic Black Metal genre. The song is structured and well-accompanied by catchy guitar riffs, whilst the drums follow a more Rock styled beat which, when added to the different style given through the vocals, creates another great song.
“Wo Es Dich Gibt” leads with a beautiful introduction performed by Dr. Pest, his soft vocal style accompanied by a strong, catchy riff-laden guitar, which leave you banging your head to this groove-ridden song. Similarly, “Ein Leichtes Mädchen” and “Es Wird Nacht” take softer approaches in regards to vocals; however, it displays the bands Rock influence which is then overlaid with melodies from keyboards and guitar. “Ein Vöglein” offers us a softer side of Die Apokalyptischen Reiter. Accompanied only by the piano, Fachs’ incredible heartfelt vocals reveal his true capabilities and talent. On the other hand, tracks such as “Was Bleibt Bin Ich” and “Die Wahrheit” are the diverse and polar opposites, drawing straight from Rock influences, with vocals ranging from Hardcore edge, being rather distorted and then cleanly sung. The guitar sounds more technical throughout these songs and dispenses deep grooves and fast up-beat riffs. However, the use of keyboards during “2 Teuful”, to create a small melody section, adds further diversity to their style and this album shows how combining a number of genres can really work well together. “Die Welt Ist Tief” is an interesting track and offers brilliant riffs where you can head-bang to your heart’s content – or if you’re more inclined, to generally just go nuts inside the moshpit. Then again, the melodies and riffs created by the guitar sound are not dissimilar to System Of A Down.
Overall, "Tief Tiefer" offers us plenty on the spectrum of musical styles, ranging from Classical to Rock, to Symphonic Black and Death Metal, and that, combined with powerful vocals and catchy riffs make this album seem somewhat “anthemic”! This album is still a great addition to the bands discography as well as the fans collection!!
Nuclear Blast GmbH/Cargo Records Germany GmbH, 2014 (NBCLP 3226-1). Made in Germany. First press. 180g gatefold black vinyl.


Tracklist:

LP 1

Side A
1. Freiheit Gleichheit Brüderlichkeit 3:28 
2. Wir 3:12 
3. Wo Es Dich Gibt 4:01 
4. Was Bleibt Bin Ich 3:50 
5. Ein Leichtes Mädchen 3:59

Side B
6. Ein Vöglein 2:05 
7. Es Wird Nacht 4:01 
8. Die Wahrheit 3:17 
9. 2 Teufel 3:46 
10. Die Welt Ist Tief 3:33 
11. So Fern 3:09

LP 2

Side C
1. Die Zeit 3:54 
2. Der Weg 4:20 
3. Friede Sei Mit Dir 3:00 
4. Flieg, Mein Herz 3:19 
5. Das Paradies 4:38

Side D
6. Die Leidenschaft 3:48 
7. Auf Die Liebe 3:14 
8. Der Wahnsinn 4:52 
9. Terra Nol 5:49

Total playing time: 75:15 min.