Atrocity - Werk 80 II (Review)
"Werk 80 II" is the latest album by symphonic metal band Atrocity. The brilliance of the album is that it is a collection of 80's covers.
People Are People
(originally by Depeche Mode)
violins and crunching guitars open the song. The soft tinkle of piano punctuates the song. Epic in scope, this cover followed the tune of the original with choral overtones. Musically, the antithesis of the original. A fresh and original take on a classic track
Small Town Boy
(originally by Bronski Beat)
spacious piano fills this track, overlaid with the haunting voice of Liv. This track is best heard through headphones to catch all of the little touches added to it. The counterpoint of the scream and clean vocal adds a nice emotional punch to the tune.
Relax
(originally by Frankie Goes to Hollywood)
blast beats, growling vocals, and a minor key instrumentation turns this dance classic into a headbanging thrash tune. Hard and fast, a brilliant cover.
Don't You Forget about Me
(originally by Simple Minds)
This track proves the don't fix what isn't broken, this track is very faithful to the original with a harder guitar riff and sweeping violins. This is one of the few times I have ever thought that a remake might be better than the original. This is what a metal version should sound like.
The Sun Always Shines on TV
(originally by a-ha)
Violin and piano open the song with Alexander and Liv singing a sweet and tight duet. This sound feels like a track lost from the Phantom of the Opera. Enter the guitar and the thunder rolls. Amazing track, see the video in the HQ.
Hey Little Girl
(originally by Icehouse)
From the near disco original, this frightening metal track add a creepy note of dread that the lyric deserve. Hard and dark, what more is there to say?
Fade to Grey
(originally by Visage)
This song has come a long way from its synthpop origin. The song has lost none of its danceability, even though it has become harder and more intense.
Such a Shame
(originally by Talk Talk)
The sing begins a lot like the original, then the guitar hits and Liv starts singing. Alexander's voice is full of emotion. A moving track.
Keine Heimat
(originally by Ideal)
Blast beats and heavy guitar explode from the beginning as Alexander growls and sings over himself. The song is as tangled as the original, but the guitar work revives this unforgettable hook.
Here Comes the Rain Again
(originally by the Eurythmics)
Wow, it is not Annie Lennox, but this metal remake explores the song in a fresh and original way. This is a great song and a great new version of it.
Forever Young
(originally by Alphaville)
Originally an 80's power ballad, Atrocity has broadened the song into an anthem. The sugar and bubblegun have been stripped from the track, but the heart of the song is strong. There is a sorrow to the song that I never heard in the original.
All in all, a brilliant album with only one track (Such a Shame) not quite living up the standards the band has gotten me accustom to. A must have so any fan of Atrocity or the 80's.
Werk 80 II by Atrocity is available through Amazon, , and eMusic.