Kadavar - Rough Times (2017)

German retro rock band Kadavar are releasing their 4th album, titled "Rough Times" soon. A 7" single is coming in advance, which contains the first single, "Die, Baby, Die", as well as a cover of The Beatles' "Helter Skelter". ‘Rough Times’ finds Kadavar once again plowing into the fuzz filled musical earth that bands such as Hawkwind, Captain Beyond, and Blue Cheer have sown. The endless palate of thunderous riffs and hook laden grooves are put to expert usage by Kadavar. They have masterfully taken this infinite combination and fashioned their own uniquely heavy music.

Opening with the thunderous title track, you know you are in for a great ride. “Rough Times” kicks the door open with bombastic drums and guitars drenched in grungy distortion. The beat is relentless and sets the stage for the rest of the album.

Enduring fans of Kadavar will find that ‘Rough Times’ is thick with black bile. Songs such as “Into The Wormehole” and “Skeleton Blues” rattle the soul as they wade through the darkness. Each song uses bludgeoning force and pulsing rhythms to develop a sense of impending doom.

The pace quickens yet the mood is still one of haunted introspection on “Die Baby Die”. Christoph “Tiger” Bartelt sets a quick pace on the drums which is met with a tumult of notes from the bass of Simon “Dragon” Bouteloup. Christoph “Lupus” Lindemann’s charging guitar and soaring vocals take wing on “Vampires” as he muses “When the sky has fallen into the night, all our fears will come alive”.

The warping and trance inducing intro of“Tribulation Nation” propels you into the void as the song accelerates. You can’t deny the primal urge generated by the pounding drums and chanted mantra of the chorus.You may wonder if this song was designed to frame the mental trepidation that festers within so many troubled minds.

Things start to get tripped out on “The Lost Child”. The organ and guitar conjure comparisons to the Doors or early Pink Floyd. The song creates the illusion of being lost in the fog. The haunted solo guitar and whistling draws the song into a final watery refrain.

Kadavar moves toward the end of ‘Rough Times’ with a magical blues-rock number called “You Found The Best In Me”. They end with the ephemeral epilogue of “A L’Ombre Du Temps”. The contrasts between these two final songs leave you content yet oddly disquieted.

‘Rough Times’ by Kadavar showcases this power trio’s ability to write engaging and powerful music bristling with gargantuan grooves and stentorian riffs. Each song exudes its own personality combining to create a marvelous and reflective soundscape. The gods of rock look down upon Kadavar with open ears and smiling hearts at their latest effort. You should too.

TRACKLIST

01. Rough Times
02. Into the Wormhole
03. Skeleton Blues
04. Die Baby Die
05. Vampires
06. Tribulation Nation
07. Words of Evil
08. The Lost Child
09. You Found the Best in Me
10. A L'ombre Du Temps