Their beer worship is not thinly-veiled. It's right there in their name, as well as in the names of several of their songs over the years. Songs like "Alcohol," "Shit-Faced," "Kings of Beer" and "Frankfurt: We Need More Beer" make it pretty clear what these dudes are up to.
Sonically, Tankard falls in line with what you'd expect from a German thrash metal band. They have the intensity and speed of fellow countrymen Destruction and Kreator. At times they even mimic the guitar harmonies of Blind Guardian (also from Das Vaterland). Tankard isn't terribly innovative, but they're fun as hell.
Tankard's latest album, A Girl Called Cerveza, actually came out last year but this blog was born yesterday, so give me a break. This early in the game it's either this or that Toby Keith song where he gives beer to his horses, so you're welcome.
It's appropriate that such a beer-obsessed band would come from Germany since the country takes its beer so seriously. Surely you've heard of Reinheitsgebot (the German Purity Law of 1516). That's those guys.
This album if full of awesome guitar riffs and beer soaked lyrics. The title track is worth listening to alone for Andreas Geremia's pronunciation of "cerveza." Seriously, I'm from South Central Texas (Mexico is in my backyard) and I find it hilarious. I'm sure Germans get the same enjoyment out of hearing Americans say "weisse."
Tankard's lyrics are sharply humorous and the songs on this album are certainly no different. "Witch-Hunt 2.0" is a hilarious but poignant riff on cyber bullying. I'd quote the lyrics that made me almost spit out my beer, but they're way too inappropriate for this blog. Read them for yourself and you'll know exactly the line I'm speaking of. "Master of Farces" skewers the American GOP and name drops Newt Gingrich. The album was released during last year's circus-like Republican primary and guys, it seems like we looked pretty silly to the Germans. There's even a song from the point of view of a refrigerator ("Son of a Fridge").
A Girl Called Cerveza is a fun and engaging listen for a thrash metal band who has been around for over 30 years. Compare this to what Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax and even Slayer have been putting out in the past decade and get ready to be impressed.
Listen to A Girl Called Cerveza on Spotify
Drink pairing for this post: Weihenstephan Original
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