People think that RAMMSTEIN is the Godfather of German industrial Metal. Sorry, but long before them came OOMPH! (who started in 1989) was active, and in reality, KRAFTWERK can be said the beginner of such an approach in Germany. But there's another pioneer of Industrial Metal/Rock that is barely cited as they deserve: the legendary band DIE KRUPPS, from Düsseldorf, who stormed Europe. And in their long career, where they show works on many different Electronic music ways, as EBM and even Electronic Gothic Rock forms, and laid foundations for those who came after them. And on their latest release, "Songs from the Dark Side of Heaven", they come to pay homage to their idols, but in their own way.

For those that aren't into their musical work, the band uses a commercially accessible form of Industrial Rock/Metal with elements from many musical genres, including Gothic Rock, EBM, Post Punk and many more. But their personal way is really something is amazing, and they really created something that can't be copied without noticing who created that. But on this album, they're putting their own personal insight on songs of the bands that influenced their work, their heroes, in a set of songs that goes from Pop Rock to Electronic Music, from classic Rock/Hard Rock to Avant-garde Electronic Music and many more.

The production, as could be expected of a band with more than 40 years of experience on its shoulders, is perfect: everything is on its due place, clear and with the right instrumental tunes, especially because the things are mainly based on synthesizers (what improves the musical accessibility of the work). And guests as Jyrki 69 (vocalist of THE 69 EYES on "Chinese Black"), James Williamson (former THE STOOGES guitar player on "(Don't Fear) The Reaper"), Big Paul Ferguson (drummer who worked with names as PINK PARTS, KILLING JOKE and WARRIOR SOUL on "To Hell With Poverty!"), and Ross The Boss (yes, the same former MANOWAR's guitarist that plays on "No More Heroes") gave a different temper to the songs.

The songs are really amazing for those that aren't fundamentalists, because "Songs from the Dark Side of Heaven" demands an open minded approach of the listeners. But for begin with "The Number One Song in Heaven" (originally a song from US duet SPARKS), the Gothic/EBM approach shown on "Chinese Black" (of THE NEON JUDGEMENT), the electronic Power Pop taste given to "Whip It" (of the North American New Wave/Synth-Pop/Post-Punk/Art Pop/Electronic Rock masters of DEVO) and to "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" (everyone knows that it's an old BLUE ÖYSTER CULT classic), the guitars contrasting with accessible electronic parts of "To Hell With Poverty!" (originally by a song of English Post-Punk heroes of GANG OF FOUR), the experimental/Groove Industrial Rock/Pop approach used on "Another One Bites the Dust" (oh, come on, everybody knows that's an old QUEEN's hit), and the hypnotic appeal of "Collapsing New People" (FAD GADGET would be proud of this version) are the best ones.

For the fans, "Songs from the Dark Side of Heaven" is an essential item for the collection, and deserves to be heard as loud as possible; for those that aren't into DIE KRUPPS' music, it's a good release to do it.