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.
ZOMBIE ATTACK
Tankard's debut album, released in 1986 was full of parody and full throttle thrash metal. Many of the ten tracks here originally featured on their 'Alcoholic Metal' demo and with subject matter like horror movies, moshing and beer they made many fans across the burgeoning thrash metal scene with their hardcore punk tinged thrash. Fast, furious, catchy and above all fun –Zombie Attack spawned live classics such as '(Empty) Tankard'.
Tracklist
1.Zombie Attack
2.Acid Death
3.Mercenary
4.Maniac Forces
5.Alcohol
6.(Empty) Tankard
7.Thrash Till Death
8.Chains
9.Poison
10.Screamin' Victims
CHEMICAL INVASION
Skyclad's sophomore album, released in 1992 saw the band pushing the boundaries and experimenting with mixing the metal and folk styles further. It still has the thrashy elements of its predecessor but the blending of traditional folk instruments and arrangements are more prominent on songs like the album defining 'Spinning Jenny'. A Burnt Offering For The Bone Idol was the band developing and growing further and defining the folk metal genre along the way.
Tracklist
1.Intro
2.Total Addiction
3.Tantrum
4.Don't Panic
5.Puke
6.For A Thousand Beers
7.Chemical Invasion
8.Farewell To A Slut
9.Traitor
10.Alcohol
THE MORNING AFTER & ALIEN EP
The bands third studio album was released in 1988 and was followed by the Alien EP the following year. By now Tankard were a force to be reckoned with and their name was muttered in the same breath as their German counterparts Kreator and Destruction. Continuing with their now signature, furious thrash and inimitable wit these releases elevated the band further during the 80's thrash explosion.
Tracklist
1.Intro
2.Commandments
3.Shit-Faced
4.TV hero
5.F.U.N.
6.Try Again
7.The Morning After
8.Desperation
9.Feed The Lohocla
10.Help Yourself
11.Mon Cheri
12.Outro
13.Alien
14.666 Packs
15.Live To Dive
16.Remedy
17.(Empty) Tankard
TANKARD ON TOUR 2017
22/09 – Weinhem D, Café Central
23/09 – Annaberg-Buchholz D, Alte Brauerei
06/10 – Erfurt D, From Hell
07/10 – Rostock D, MAU Club
08/10 – Braunschweig D, B58
25/11 – Johore MY, The Rockin
01/11 – 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
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News reported by: Jean-François "Thrashing Assault" Briard
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More info:
https://www.tankard.info
