Despite the awkward notion the band name gives, they really brought me back to my day of discovering Rammstein for the first time. Calm down, I am not making an equal comparison between the two bands. I am using it from a lyrical, theatrical, and geographical perspective. WBTBWB (makes it a LOT easier to abbreviate) hails from Lübben, which is approximately 85 kilometers southwest of Berlin. Since their inception, they have grown from the original duo, to now a four piece. They have kicked out one EP, and four LPs since 2008. While I was keen on their 2013 Goldkinder album, their latest album, Wieder Geil!, has grown on me substantially.
Blame it on the low growl screaming, blame it on the EDM trance that gets thrown in, or blame it on overall increase in heaviness, Wieder Geil! has really made an impression with me. I guess I am really hoping for was another group such as Rammstein who are able to give a top notch theatrical performance, with the crushing blow of German lyrics. If you check out some of my photos when they came to Toronto in 2014, you'll see the group does a great job of working with a small stage (Hard Luck Bar), and the energy they can produce.
(Feb 15th, 2014)
So back to their latest album, Wieder Geil! It has been on the shelves since May 22nd, 2015 and was distributed by AFM Records. The album met some great commercial success, with landing #9 on the Billboard world charts, as well as #31 on the top 100 in Germany. For this album, WBTBWB comprised of:
Paul Bartzsch – Vocals | Marcel Neumann – Guitar, Keyboard, Programming
Maximilian Saux – Bass | Can Özgünsür – Drums
All in all I was truly surprised at how much I enjoyed this album. Further proof that genre stereotypes shouldn’t get in the way of trying a new style of metal on for size. So, if you’re a fan of metal core or you’re looking for something new to punch the floor to, Wieder Geil! might just be what you need. -Metal Nation Radio
This marks the first album that WBTBWB has dropped with AFM Records, and hopefully a lasting relationship. Despite the group is not on major North American touring circles, their popularity in Europe has them on some large audience festivals.
1. Ich mach was mit Medien*
2. Exorzist*
3. Anarchy
4. Berlin, Berlin!*
5. Bang Bang Bang*
6. Gib mir Mehr
7. Rockstar
8. Thug Life
9. Warum lieben wir nicht Mehr
10. Zombiebitch
Now, make no mistake, this is a metal record through and through. WBTBWB isn’t content to just stick with one genre of metal, though. Wieder Geil! offers up a wide selection: straightforward radio metal with a chorus that will stick in your head for days on end (“Anarchy”), a combination of deathcore and hip-hop that doesn’t suck (“Bang, Bang, Bang”), and one of the bounciest riffs I’ve heard in quite some time (“Berlin Berlin”). -Skulls N Bones
This high tech Extreme Metal pulverizes with a merciless attacks and staccato riffing with a healthy but cantilevered portion of Electro/Trance elements and mostly guttural growls of vocalist Bartzsch, granting Wieder geil! enough thoroughness to put a big smile onto the faces of fans of the early days. -Cryptic Rock
And if you feel inclined to watch, this video is both creepy, disturbing, and entrancing. I believe the general consensus for English folks was "what the hell did I just watch?" However, the music itself is quite talented...if deathcore/metalcore is your thing of course. Haha.
Overall Wieder Geil! is simply an entertaining album. It is light-hearted, and shows off We Butter The Bread With Butter's unique style and writing skills. The music is certainly not for everyone, especially if you take your metal very seriously. That said, if you're looking for a fun, catchy and fresh style of metal to jam to, I recommend buckling your seatbelt and delving into the decadent ride that is Wieder Geil!. -Pure Grain Audio
wieder geil is the doubtlessly great performer! I especially like their anarchy!!!
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