When the first news about DIE KNAPPEN reached me, I wanted the record immediately. Two points were decisive. First, Tom Angelripper is involved, and second, the songs are about the coal region. The Ruhr area, with its strong working-class tradition, is experiencing and has experienced a huge structural change with all its negative aspects. Many unemployed, many hopeless, and no one to raise their voice for them, except perhaps for the figure of Schimanski.
With DIE KNAPPEN, the little man has gained another voice!
The twelve songs are, as the title suggests, closely related to the coal miner. Schalke 04, as the club in the Ruhr area, is also sung about, but overall, it’s about the mine and everything associated with it. All band members were previously employed in mining and thus know what it’s like to be a buddy. The lyrics come across as fundamentally honest, despite some pathos. You believe the band in what they sing. Mystical songs like “Der alte Mann von Revier 10” provide insight into what it was like back then underground. The band may glorify the old times in some eyes, but they also know that it’s not like that anymore. What accompanies this is the hopelessness of many people, which is addressed in “Glück Auf Jupp” in a way that is hardly more honest and down-to-earth. Of course, the traditional “Steigerlied” must not be missing.
Tom Angelripper's voice gives the songs the rough edge they need to sound authentic. You can believe that there is still coal dust in his lungs.
“Mädchen aus dem Kohlenpott” stands out a bit. The song leans towards Schlager but also towards the drinking and party songs with which Tom Angelripper has been successful. However, Tom only sang the lyrics here. They were written by other band members, including Detlef Lauster, who is not entirely unknown in the Schlager scene as the Singing Miner. The other musicians come from the rock and metal scene. One might think there’s a wide range of styles. However, the guys quickly agreed to play hearty melodic (hard) rock together.
That was a good choice, especially since the recording leaves nothing to be desired.
Thus, “Auf Kohle geboren” is an interesting record that describes the coal region very well and is a great Christmas gift for lovers of decent rock.
