Toxpack
Schall & Rausch
(Napalm Records)
Sound and smoke is the English translation of the new Toxpack title, but this bastard is full of fire! To see this classic Berlin Oi!/Streetpunk band on a big label like Napalm, after years on smaller indie Oi!/Punk labels such as, Randale, DSS, Sunny Bastards and People Like You, this move is impressive. Napalm is banking on Toxpack on delivering their tenacity and ferocity which has roiled for over fifteen years. With big production, killer guitar leads, sing a long choruses, and raucous riffs, Schall and Rausch punches beyond its weight here, straight to the throat.
Schall and Rauch’s production lends to its feeling of a grand sound. Brash and confrontational, the sound belies the emotional rush which is inviting to the listener. The rock and roll soul has always been there for Toxpack. This time around, we hear layered songwriting boasting nuanced guitar lines. Toxpack approach these fifteen tracks like metalheads, sneaking in bits and pieces that push this album beyond the three chord ethos of simple punk. For track three, “Auf Alte Tage”, I find myself thinking of bands like Amon Amarth and Kreator (to be fair, I think of Kreator most days). This track is so immense, but comes with gang vocals and melodic guitars over its splendid low end rumble to make a drunk weepy. The entire album’s spirit and energy nestles itself into pure punk attitude.
“Die Letzten” is a slow, simmering sleeper. It has a more melodic punk feel, but again, the songwriting of the separate sections show foresight and passion. “Willkommen im Klub” is a rocking track. The clean production fits well with the small leads and favors the contrast of the heavy bass drums. It’s a heavy track with grit. “In Trummern” moves fast with pounding snares. “:Gib mir Dein Geld” pounds away as well. The fever builds and the explosive chorus captures all eardrums within distance. Schall and Rauch shines as the new drummer truly stands out on this album. Commanding, stoic vocals are guaranteed to engage all crowds.
Toxpack, for me, is always slotted into a certain group of bands, especially in the People Like You heyday, Sunny Bastards, early Rebellion rosters. I believe with this leap in writing and production, Toxpack will be knocking down bigger doors. Stellar work here. A fine fusion of metal sensibilities with a street rock and roll heart. I will open a malty, smoky rauchbier and toast! Prost!
RIYL: Discipline, Broilers, Betontod, Ultima Thule, Verleone Jungs, Krawallbruder, Razorblade
