TANKARD: Noise Record announce 4 more album reissues

Tankard the beer obsessed thrash metalllers from Frankfurt, Germany, founded in 1982. Along with Kreator, […]

November 9, 2017

Tankard the beer obsessed thrash metalllers from Frankfurt, Germany, founded in 1982. Along with Kreator, Destruction and Sodom, Tankard are often considered one of the "Big Teutonic 4" of German thrash metal. They released their first record in 1986 and continue to write and record in the same vein: fast thrash metal songs about beer and alcohol. Formed by three classmates, bassist Andreas "Gerre" Geremia, guitarist Axel Katzmann and vocalist Frank Thorwarth. Thorwarth and Gerre soon switched roles; at the same time the trio added drummer Oliver Werner and second guitarist Berhard Rapprich. They chose their name from a dictionary upon seeing its definition as "beer mug". Their earliest written song was called "Ray Death", a song about nuclear war and their first gig was played in a local classroom in 1983. As drinking alcohol in the school was banned, they smuggled their beer in with milk cartons. Soon after, Bernhard Rapprich left the band as his conservative father did not want him "hanging around with a bunch of drunks" and he was replaced by Andy Bulgaropoulos. With the line-up now stabilised, the band released their first demo, titled Heavy Metal Vanguard, in 1984. After this, the band toured with fellow German thrashers Sodom. In 1985 they released a second demo, Alcoholic Metal, which cemented their thrash metal style and lyrical themes. Both of these demos were very popular in the underground, and on the strength of this demo they signed with Noise Records with whom they released seven studio albums between 1986 and 1995. Tankard still play to huge crowds globally and released their 17th studio album in 2017.

THE MEANING OF LIFE

As the decade turned, 1990 saw Tankard unleash their fourth studio album 'The Meaning Of Life'. With the new decade came a slightly different approach. It was still their trademark thrash but also interjected some melody and strayed lyrically from their beer soaked themes, but not too much so as to alienate their fanbase. This album was chock full of catchy choruses and buzzing riffs, thus cementing their fanbase further amongst the thrash fraternity.

Tracklist:
1.Open All Night
2.We Are Us
3.Dancing On Our Grave
4.Mechanical Man
5.Beermuda
6.The Meaning Of Life
7.Space Beer
8.Always Them
9.Wheel Of Rebirth
10.Barfly
11.Wonderful Life

STONE COLD SOBER

As the thrash metal gave way to grunge in the 90's Tankard stuck to their guns and released another fine slab of Tuetonic thrash in the ironically titled 'Stone Cold Sober' in 1992. This was classic Tankard, raw, insanely fast but this time slightly more serious in the lyrical department - aside from a frantic cover of J Geils Band's 'Centrefold'. Thrash metal may have not been in vogue but the faithful Tankard fans stayed true to the band and revered this as one of their finest releases.

Tracklist:
1.Jurisdiction
2.Broken Image
3.Mindwild
4.Ugly Beauty
5.Centerfold
6.Behind The Back
7.Stone Cold Sober
8.Blood, Guts And Rock N'Roll
9.Lost And Found (Tantrum Part 2)
10.Sleeping With The Past
11.Freibier

TWO-FACED

Tankard's sixth studio album emerged in 1993 and while their counterparts were experimenting with industrial and nu metal sonics in the 90's the band stood firm and true to their thrash roots. Probably the most socio-political of Tankard's output, Two-Faced (complete with satirical cover) is an angry beast that sets aside their early humour in favour of a caustic sound with attacks on a sliding society. This album was yet another jewel in Tankard's crown.

Tracklist:
1.Death Penalty
2.R.T.V.
3.Betrayed
4.nation Over Nation
5.Days Of The Gun
6.Cities In Flames
7.Up From Zero
8.Two-Faced
9.Ich Brauch Meinen Suff
10.Cyberworld
11.Mainhattan
12.Jimmy B. Bad

THE TANKARD

The final album released on Noise by Tankard was 1995's self-titled, 'The Tankard'. Perpetuating the more serious side shown on its predecessor 'Two-Faced', its sound was a melting pot of their signature thrash with elements of speed, power, hardcore and a dash of melody entwined with some of their catchiest choruses to date. The same year they redressed the humorous balance with their Tankwart side project of German language covers done in a punk/metal style, much to their fans amusement.

Tracklist:
1.Grave New World
2.Minds On The Moon
3.The Story Of Mr. Cruel
4.Close Encounter
5.Poshor Golovar
6.Mess In The West
7.Atomic Twlight
8.Fuck Christmas
9.Positive
10.Hope ?
11.Liebesspieler
12.Pogo In Togo
13.Hurra, Hurra, Die Schule Brennt
14.Herr D.
15.Sternenhimmel
16.Konig Von Deutschland
17.Elke
18.Skandal Im Sperrbezirk
19.Billiger Slogan

TANKARD ON TOUR 2017/2018

01/12 – Nurnberg D, K4 Festaal
02/12 – Berlin D, Binuu
16/12 – Eindhoven NL, EMM
29/12 – Frankfurt D, Tankard Fest
30/12 – Ingolstadt D, Eventhalle Westpark
26/01 - Thessaloniki GR, 8Ball
27/01 - Athens GR, Kyttaro
12/2 - Osaka JP, True Thrash Fest
2/3 - Goslar D, Lindenhof
3/3 - Bremen D, Tower
16/3 - Colmar F, Le Grillen
17/3 - Dornbirn A, Conrad Sohm
28/4 - Erica NL, Pitfest
20/7 - Fritzlar D, Rocak Am Stuck
21/7 - Weil D, Baden In Blut
27/7 - Essen D, Nord-Open-Air
11/8 - Schlottheim D, Party San Open Air
22/9 - Magedburg D, Factory
19/10 - Leipzig D, Hellraiser
20/10 - Brunn CZ, Melodka
21/10 - Prague CZ, Rock Cafe
2/11 - Karlsruhe D, Substage
3/11 - Andernach D, Juz Live
30/11 - Hannover D, Musikzentrum
1/12 - Dresden D, Skullcrushers