Depending on your musical allegiance and upbringing, KÄRBHOLZ is either a fearsome Metal foursome with heavy Punk overtones or a heavy Punk foursome with fearsome Metal overtones. While their subgenre may be up to debate, the result isn't. As the tagline on their website proclaims, KÄRBHOLZ delivers "full throttle rock 'n' roll." Their latest album, "Kapitel 11 'Barrikaden'" dropped on March 24, 2023 from Metalville Records. It is everything that you would hope from a veteran Metal/Punk band-which is to say, flawless execution of heavy-fisted riffs fronted by gravely vocals, backed by an unrelenting rhythm section, and reinforced with infectious chants that you'll find yourself singing along with regardless of whether you actually speak German.

KÄRBHOLZ basics: They have released 11 albums over the last 18 years. They hail from Ruppichteroth, Germany. They perform in German. They show no signs of letting up. Their songs not only convey power and conviction sonically, but the lyrics speak to hard truths about life. In short, KÄRBHOLZ is the real deal. If you haven't discovered them yet, today is your lucky day!

"Kapitel 11 'Barrikaden'" comprises 11 tracks-about 40 minutes. As the title would suggest, the songs are about the variety of barricades we face in life. Some external, some internal; some major, some minor. In their own words, the tracks are "songs that tell stories from life, sometimes in a small, sometimes in a big way." The tracks balance distortion with harmony and aggression with optimism. You know that moment in the mosh pit when someone falls down and a bubble somehow pops up around them and everyone helps them up while at the same time the mosh is still somehow going? "Kapitel 11 'Barrikaden'" is like that. Just tons of aggression but without ill will.

The best tracks on this album are almost impossible to pick. My personal favorites are "Barrikaden," "Unter Ferner Liefen," "Eins Gegen Eins," and "Ohne Decknug." Overall, there is something deeply reminiscent about the album. Think mainstream Punk from late 80's or early 90's, but instead of thick British or American accents imagine German. I'm not sure how German speakers might relate to the album but given that I can't understand a single word, it sounds completely fresh to me.

"Kapitel 11 'Barrikaden'" has dominated my playlist this past month, and with 11 albums it looks like this might be a KÄRBHOLZ year for me.