This article was automatically translated by AI.
With “Viva Versus,” the band is releasing their sixth album on March 20, 2015.
After 15 years of band history and over 350 concerts, the band presents itself on their sixth album as mature yet still angry. The young guns from ten years ago have become a well-rehearsed German punk band. Stylistically, this reminds one of icons like Fahnenflucht, Hausvabot, or Rasta Knast.
ALARMSIGNAL recorded their new album at Hidden Planet Studio in Berlin. They probably wanted to achieve a fat sound. Jan Oberg from Hidden Planet Studio has conjured up a powerful sound for the band. However, this sound is a bit too much of a good thing. The drums are upfront, the guitar is massively prominent, and it engages in a battle with the partly two-part vocals over 13 songs, which ends in a draw. The bass rumbles sometimes in front, sometimes in the middle, sometimes in the back, but always unmistakably. The vocals are not as easy to understand as in the earlier albums. One has to get used to the sound. I listened to the record on several systems and must say, one has to really listen closely.
Here, a little less would have been more.
Lyrically, there is absolutely nothing to complain about. The band remains uncompromising and does not hide behind convoluted lyrics or metaphors. Criticism of the system and society is presented as usual. As usual, because ALARMSIGNAL has been doing this for 15 years. Their lyrics are still weapons.
Whether it’s in “Which part of Fuck Off don’t you understand,” where the line “We don’t have to do anything, just function” describes the capitalist, exploitative system as it is. No more words are needed, except a Fuck Off!
“Kaputte Stadt” is a nail-studded club against yuppie kids. It speaks to my soul when I see how Berlin has been sold out for years. Everyone wants something from the city and the scene, but no one is willing to give anything. Is it surprising that the free spaces are getting smaller?
“Heimat halt´s Maul” is an intelligent response to German rock and the like. This theme has been heard often, but unfortunately, it is still relevant and necessary.
“Erstickte Hoffnung” goes out to all whose dreams burst and who have to deal with it. Again, there is underlying criticism of the system here. Advertising vs. reality.
“Krawallier” is a wonderful song against all the luxury we live in. Our prosperity kills people, day by day. It is the cancerous growth we call growth, as the band puts it. How right they are! Golden towers do not grow endlessly; they collapse (Slime). When will we finally realize this? When will society realize this?
A few more lyrics remain unquoted, but I want to mention one more song, namely “Unpolitisch tötet!”. Think about it!
Every song on the album is a scream.
Will it be heard?
By us, who still notice something, yes!
By us, who deal critically with ourselves, with society, and the world, yes!
By the masses of society?
I hope so.
In conclusion, it can be said that once you have listened to the album, it reveals its enormous strength. “Viva Versus” is the best album by ALARMSIGNAL!!
Those who buy the album will receive it in a stylish digipack with a lyric booklet and liner notes for each song.
ALARMSIGNAL, a punk band that deserves to be heard!
