Polish beer-bombing crew Bottlekopf have been around since the beginning of 2010s. They are a totally new acquaintance to me, to tell the truth. Their sophomore album 'The Jokes Are Over' was kindly shipped to me by the label, and I am grateful for that, because this is a goodie. Anyway, it was a long pause between two album, as 'Absolutely Nothing' was released already in 2014. But let's get this flavour test going on.

Bottlekopf's style isn't easy to describe, but the basis is death metal with some thrash traits, yet with some outside influences like rock music, but it's not what death 'n' roll often sounds like, plus some hardcore punk rhythmics. If there's something to compare this album to, it is Gorefest's 1994 platter 'Erase' that first comes to mind, and not much else, really. The songwriting never gets very technical. Lots of palm-muted riffing as well as open-string playing, momentary dystopian melodiousness, strong rhythmic patterns and bellowing vocals are the main ingredients of this brew. The speed fluctuates between mid-paced and fast; this is stomping and rather neck-friendly. Pace-wise, that is, because this could and should make one move.

Most of the songs aren't carrying big features that would make a casual listener to tell the difference. The melodic bits are more mild than striking. Sometimes attacking death metal, then thrashing tight, here and there looser, but mostly whacking. There are a few deviations, like Motörheadish 'Way of Decapitation' ('Orgasmatron', anyone?), Cliff Burton tributing bass stuff on 'Brainwash' which is the most varying piece on offer (well, it's also the longest) and stupid rock 'n' roll of 'Dead Blues'. The album doesn't flow totally well, and in my opinion it should have been 11 songs long at most: That damned annoying, unsuitable song is followed by an instrumental outro, which in itself is okay, but... The flow just gets drained down the urinal in the end section. Okay, the album gets awhile to get into action, too, as a minute long intro isn't doing much.

Bottlekopf are a power trio and each instrument and the vocals are nicely mixed for burly effect. There's not one leader of the pack, but every member has his say. The vocals are really low, bellowing semi-growling, very similar to Jan Chris de Koeyer of Gorefest. The bass guitar is rubbery and meaty, and the guitar sounds like a metal guitar should. The drums aren't triggered and there's no additional effects on them, wrapping up the organic production. The artwork made me think this was a stoner metal band... The lyrics reflect on real life, but are somewhat cryptic.

This album perfectly suits for those nights of carpet bombing beer. It's a bit different alloy of heavy music in the surge of metal music that keeps on billowing and making on feel lost like hell. And as Gorefest are no more... Worth a look, then.

Rating: 7+ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
03/26/2023 11:07