Die Apokalyptischen Reiter – Licht

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Nuclear Blast
Produced by Vincent Sorg & Die Apokalyptischen Reiter

Continuing a remarkably prolific career that has rarely seen more than two years pass between albums since 1997 the other mother-tongue-lyric madcap Germany band deliver possibly one of their most accomplished records to date.

Their last album, Riders On The Storm, arrived in 2006, preceded by the Friede Set Mit Dir EP. 2007 was spent extensively touring the Riders On The Storm album, and two of the biggest festival dates were recorded and released earlier this year as the double live album and DVD Tobsucht.

With Light (‘light’ in German) they have tried to show their ability to incorporate a wide range of styles and influences into the same album. Opener Es Wird Schlimmer is centred around one of their heaviest, most aggressive riffs on any record so far, while Auf Die Liebe has fast folk-metal influence similar to the likes of Turisas, whom they toured with in 2005 for the Samurai album.

On Adrenalin Fuchs’ vocals sound just like Rammstein‘s Till Lindemann and when they turn a stop/start high-note bass groove (example Stand by Alice Cooper) into a distorted guitar riff it’s also reminiscent of something Rammstein might try, but moves away into yet more varied territory with black metal vocals and then a rousing chorus.

Again on Der Elende, like the piano-led Nach Der Ebbe, the more epic side of Rammstein, a comparison they’re probably never going to be able to avoid, feels present with plenty of keyboards, but fleshed out, in both cases, with some magnificent clean guitar solos. A sense of fun takes over for Heut Ist Der Tag, which is a much more typical upbeat rocker, and Wir Hoffen, a good-time punk-rock track.

First single Der Weg continues the upbeat feeling, combining all the most listenable parts of Die Apokalyptischen Reiter, with a grooving riff, a melodic chorus and keyboard-highlighted verses. Auferstehen Soll In Herrlichkeit is probably the only track which could be called classic Die Apokalyptischen Reiter. The rest of the album is so varied it makes Licht their most expansive work to date and an hugely enjoyable listen.

“ wide range ”

Tracklist: Es Wird Schlimmer / Auf Die Liebe / Wir Sind Das Licht / Nach Der Ebbe / Adrenalin / Der Elende / Heut Ist Der Tag / Wir Hoffen / Der Weg / Ein Lichtlein / Auferstehen Soll In Herrlichkeit

Written by Andy Lye
More: Albums, Alternative, Thrash Metal, Die Apokalyptischen Reiter