CoC : Das Ich - ReLaborat : Review

Das Ich - _Re_Laborat_
(Metropolis, 2001)
by: Aaron McKay (7 out of 10)

I imagine being pulled through an automobile assembly line by a claw-like thing from "Mad Max's Beyond the Thunderdome" would feel a lot like this effort sounds. Comparisons to Rammstein will be nearly unescapable, but very real differences to exist. The obviously German similarities are present, but Das Ich integrates a whole lotta gaunt and secularly shinny re-mixes from the likes of VnV Nation, Wampscut (yea!) and Funker Vogt. S. Ackermann and B. Kramm clutch Das Ich together at its foundation, increasing to a four-piece for purposes to touring. This fifteen track odyssey through unconventionality strikes odd chords in the psyche of the follower. Some more-or-less spoken parts tied together with the dissonance of the spirited smacking drop-beats make _Re_Laborat_ a interesting purchase. Track eleven, dubbed "Schwanenschrei", is a choice cut, as is the more guitar oriented "Die Proheten" -- both enjoying Das Ich's full delivery capability. Sometimes an overbearing emphasis on the vocals and sometimes the techno drive of the band becomes repetitious, but all in all a very solid effort. I propose finding out for yourself what Das Ich has waiting for you.

(article published 12/8/2001)