“German Rocks!”. If anyone in the 11th grade had thought of selling me this truism as “true” during the unpleasant German class, we might have one less existence financing the pensions of this country. However, since the situation can certainly change, the guys from “Bournout-Records” could dare to send me the sampler of the same name without any harm. And unlike my review of “Kalte Sterne” or “Aggropunk Vol.2”, I am venturing into material here that I am not very familiar with.

The “German Rocks!” sampler rolls in with a total of 32 different bands and songs to show the listener the powerful and rocking side of the Federal Republic of Germany. There is a mix of Oi!, punk rock, hardcore, or “normal rock”. The songs also differ here, as some are hard and fast, while others are a bit calmer and slower. Sometimes there is euphoria and good vibes, while at other times the focus is on longing and thoughtful themes. Sometimes it’s about criticism, and other times that’s not relevant. So, a diverse mix that surely has a lot to promise…

Once again, well-known and lesser-known bands are thrown into the mix and stirred vigorously: With “Engel in Zivil”, “Kneipenterroristen”, “Berserker”, or “Kärbholz”, not only well-known names roll in, but also those that are most often associated with the Onkelz, as has been the case lately. In terms of “Oi! and punk”, “KrawallBrüder”, “Absturz”, and “BRDigung” do us the honor. These and many other musicians want to show the listeners where the musical hammer should hang: namely, on the shoulder of a guitarist!

To achieve this goal, the bands certainly hit the strings hard – and even surprise me a little. I have always kept a healthy distance from samplers, as I was used to mediocrity or emotional roller coasters, but this one can hold its own in the above-average range. The music is consistently of relatively good quality and does not reveal any real qualitative deficiencies.
Musically, the double album sounds quite alright, although here again the uncomfortable feeling of “I’ve heard this before” comes to the fore. Some things sound borrowed or familiar (just like my reviews) and thus prevent all bands from fully coming into their own. Let me make this clear:
Krawallbrüder, Grober Knüppel, Serum 114, Kärbholz, Killerton, Berserker, Thekenproleten, C’est la vie, Kneipenterroristen, Junge Reemer, and Störte-Priester all sound very similar. Only a few of these mentioned bands stand out to me personally (and positively), while the rest are less noticeable vocally and musically and annoy me with the now socially acceptable “proll singing”. Otherwise, there are always songs here and there that have surprised and intrigued me.

For example, “Raven Henley” stood out positively. It’s actually funny, as the song is a typical love song that couldn’t be more clichéd lyrically. Yet the band does a great job conveying their feelings, which clearly earns them points with me. A beautiful love song for those who just want to sit and mourn.
The band “8MM” stands in stark contrast and prefers to pound their instruments and shout a bit into the microphone rather than rely on sentimentality. Here, you get more of a desire to punch and enrich the mosh pit with your mass while raising your fist to the sky and shouting.
A.O.K. impress and charm with a nonsensical and funny text, which the guys are also known for. A bit of nonsense in between is always good and has been very nicely placed here.
“Grober Knüppel” are also quite likable this time. I don’t know why, but somehow I really like this band. They know how to create the right mood for me and also know how to handle their instruments accordingly.

I will spare myself a rating once again, as a review here would simply be pointless. However, it is definitely worth listening to, as anyone who can find even the slightest enjoyment in rock music will surely find something they like. I could only express my humble opinion on a small part of the double CD. Even though I specifically addressed some bands, that doesn’t mean the rest is not listenable. There are also other sounds among all these songs that are more than worthy of listening.

“German Rocks!” really rocks at times, as promised! However, that doesn’t always have to mean something positive, but that’s entirely in the eye of the beholder. For me, however, the sampler is a good average with a relatively well-chosen mix. Perfect for in-between or for gatherings where alcohol plays a significant role. Well, or for rocking out.