Atrocity – Werk 80 II

Release date: 03-03-2008; Label: Napalm Records
By: Elvira Visser

  Atrocity has now delivered their second CD with their project around 80s rock
  songs. Which started out with one CD full of those 80s classics that had hit
  the radio stations. And now there is part two “Werk 80 II”, (werk
  means work in german)bringing back the 80s once again. What Atrocity does is
  playing those songs heavier than ever before mixed with a choir and a symphony
  orchestra.

  When holding the CD in my hands I do not see not the band but a lady on the
  cover: Dita von Teese, a pin up star and fetish icon.

  Frontman Alexander Krull about the album: “We thought it is a good idea
  after ten years to record an album like this, to play compositions from others
  in our typical band style.”

  Atrocity boosted the classical parts on the tracks and added some electronic
  elements which makes make the songs their own. The CD rocks, but I am not a
  big fan of the voice. However the song “Here Comes the Rain Again”
  has a darker melancholic atmosphere and I like Alexander Krull’s voice much
  more on this track. There are some tracks that stand out a little more. “Smalltown
  Boy” has an operatic voice to starts the song, which is a very different
  intro to the song.

  They invited some people to work with them on the CD. You can hear Liv Kristine
  on “The Sun Always Shines on TV” and Jensara Swann (a French artist)
  on “Fade to Grey”. What I do like about this CD is that they have
  taken the 80s songs and transformed them into a more metal atmosphere, Some
  tracks like “Relax” has some nice growls but the 80s rock touch is
  still in it. The final song “Forever Young” starts with strings and
  an orchestra can be heard during the track, as well as a choir. Although the
  music is good, the song is good, I get a feeling that I am listening to a cover-band
  that is not the best.

  So if you like 80s rock or think it is not heavy enough you should give this
  album a chance. Although I do not really like the voice, I very much do like
  the music and because the CD contains those great 80s songs, I will surely listen
  to it much more.

01. People Are People (Depeche Mode)   02. Smalltown Boy (Bronski Beat)   03. Relax (Frankie Goes To Hollywood)   04. Don’t You (Forget About Me) (Simple Minds)   05. The Sun Always Shines On Tv (A-Ha)   06. Hey Little Girl (Icehouse)   07. Fade To Grey (Visage)   08. Such A Shame (Talk Talk)   09. Keine Heimat (Ideal)   10. Here Comes The Rain Again (Eurythmics)   11. Forever Young (Alphaville)

Links:

Atrocity MySpace