Review Summary: Japanische serve up the musical equivalent of a midget doing kick stands in your front lawn and flinging poo at casual passers-by. While rambunctious and absurd, its an experience you won't soon forget....
What’s reassuring about Japanische Kampfhörspiele’s brand of grind-punk is that the respected metal consumer will never receive the same package twice, and 2010’s ‘Bilder Fressen Strom’ has once again delivered the goods. If you’re still unfamiliar with this German unit it’s time to get properly acquainted. With eight full lengths and countless splits, JAKA have certainly done their homework and are no strangers to their craft.
2006’s ‘Rauchen und Yoga’ (Smoking and Yoga) will forever be JAKA’s crowning achievement and has remained a personal favorite of mine since its release. Even after repeated listens I still find myself returning to this album whenever a quick metal fix beckons. While 2008’s 19 minute release ‘Luxusvernichtung’ was a welcome change featuring a more punk-oriented approach, it was nothing to truly cream over compared to its predecessor. ‘Bilder Fressen Strom,’ is a true return to form and is yet another cut throat masterpiece to be added to their catalog.
JAKA tend to jump from a death/grind approach to a more ‘Punk/Noise’ brand of fiendish technicality with their dual vocal attack. Screechy, high pitched vocal lines are accentuated with low-end grunts and greatly distinguish these grinders from the rest of the genre’s excess. This may sound like a recycled and tried attribute but JAKA have polished and transformed these vocal elements, even with everything in German.
Opening tracks ‘Die Schlachtung’ and ‘Die Kampagne’ are prime examples of this as guitar lines punch in and out. These combinations not only provide some tasty riffage but are a complete joy to listen to. JAKA offer a childish and lighthearted approach in their songwriting. I found myself staring at my speakers with a smile on my face hearing some of these arrangements. Rest assured; this isn’t overbearing to the point where the brutality is compromised. The anger and aggression remain active from start to finish.
‘Schmerzrakete’ displays some crunchy riffs that bring a more thrash oriented quality to the table. As mentioned above, the stop-go attitude emphasizes a kind of controlled chaos that is further augmented by the absence of the vocal lines on this track. Unlike so many of its peers, JAKA have a clear understanding that less is more. How many bands find it necessary to simply slam the listener from A-Z with little indication of when one song has started and another has finished? Too damn many… While ‘Bilder’s’ characteristics are completely unorthodox, the variances of sound and silence are what make it so special. It keeps the listener in eager anticipation for what’s to roll in next.
Song lengths average from 15 seconds to the five minute mark. ‘Auto’ plays well as a 10 second grind blast that runs perfectly into the aforementioned ‘Schmerzrakete’. In a certain respect this is one area where ‘Bilder Fressen Strom’ overtakes ‘Rauchen und Yoga.’ There is slightly more material to work with whereas the previous was a quick burst of fury that seemed to conclude before it began. While there might be a bit of extra filler it’s not enough to detract from the end product.
The only thing that really ruins the experience on this one is how it concludes. Track 27 ‘Emotionen’ plays out as a down-tuned sludge piece that sits oddly out of place in comparison to the rest of the album. And with the rest of the album ripping the listener in two, this track seems highly unnecessary; criminally stealing much of the album’s punch once it has completed. This is one department that I have never understood with JAKA. On nearly all their albums sits one track of doom metal ambiance. This type of meandering seems a bit out of place for my liking.
For fans and newbies alike, this album will satiate the thirsts of both punk and metal fans. I would have to suggest starting with ‘Rauchen und Yoga’ if these guys have never graced your sound system before. Still, this is without a doubt another tightly knit outing. Although this might be a bit difficult to get a hold of, Bastardized Records and EBay will be your best bet not to mention Amazon includes the full MP3 Download for a very reasonable price. Long live Japanese Combat Action Hero Fighting Games….. :-)
4.1/5
