TANKARD will be 40 next year (this year depending on what dodgy band logic you use), which is even longer than its been since Freddos were reintroduced in the UKs sweet shops.  And lets be honest, unlike the cost of Freddos, not a whole lots changed for these German Thrash Metal stalwarts. Considered by many as one of the big four of Teutonic Thrash Metal alongside KREATOR, DESTRUCTION and SODOM, TANKARD are back with studio album number 19 and the first since 2017, and are still ploughing the same alcohol sodden Metal Thrashing furrow.

Now I think it is fair to say I am not a big fan.  Yes like anyone who has a more than surface appreciation of Thrash from this side of the Atlantic, TANKARD have often popped up on my radar, but I'll not profess to great insights on them.  Like many bands with a such a long pedigree and expansive back-catalogue it can they end up making an album to fit a formular rather than being innovative, and I suspect that to be the case here.  Don't get me wrong it is still an above average opus, but pulling up trees it ain't.

As a band they are as tight as you would expect them to be, metronomically precise drumming, on-point bass, powering guitars and spot on solos.  Vocals, lets be honest not the strongest, but suit the music, which is a bonus.  That said, I found it a be Samey, and with most songs being about five minutes plus, some hung around a bit too long. Best songs for me were "Diary of a Nihilist", a real heads down, serious, take no prisoners banger. "Memento" with its slow build into a proper mid paced thrash monster and the closer "On the day I die" a fantastic brooding beat.  All of which have a more serious side to them, and at least on this album is where the band step it up.

We will also throw in the suitably daft "Metal Cash Machine" which to these ears sounds like a little like an attack at certain types of bands who are more of a money-making merchandise producing, brand endorsing entity than they are a musical concern, and a dig at the non-fans who might wear their tee shirt (you know who you are) without even knowing a song from said band. And they will be coming to a festival near you this summer.  Oh, and it's a great Metal song too boot!

I have to say I have real issues with the title track and opener "Pavlov's Dawgs".  For one, Dawgs!  Just no! and for me it is one of the weakest songs on the album. And I have to say the next one up "Ex-Influencer" equally a no from me, it tries to way to hard to be wright-on and arch and misses its mark.  And this is a problem for me the album is pre-loaded with two of the least great songs of the collection. "Beerbarians" for me would have been a much better opener, and it keeps the whole tasty beverage image going!

An above average collection, yes, but could be better.  No question on the production, the musicianship etc. Just a touch similar in places and a couple of mis-steps for this writer.