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CD Review: Panzer AG "Your World is Burning". Review by Nads.

Panzer AG
"Your World is Burning" (2006)

Label: Metropolis Records

Official Website



This, the second album from Panzer AG, one of Andy LaPlegua's many projects, is musically very different to the first album 'This is My Battlefield'. Andy has left the harsher sounds for Combichrist, transforming Panzer AG into an industrial rock band with a sound sitting somewhere near Marilyn Manson, KMFDM and Skinny Puppy.

Ditching synthesizers for guitars and strings, the sounds are much more diverse. Andy rarely reaches for the vocal distortion units showing us that he does have a good vocal range suited for rock, impressing the listener particularly on the song 'Among The New', which is mostly acoustic guitar and strings. There are also vocal appearances from female singers, which add another level to the music. 'Paper Angels' sees the return of slutty female vocals, this time saying "I love your guns". This sounds very reminiscent of Combichrist, but with a real vocalist as opposed to a computerised singer. There is also another female singer, who sounds very similar to the current Gothic Metal singers, especially Tarja Turunen [ex Nightwish], and adds a very atmospheric element to the slower paced tracks, such as 'Mother'.

'Aenimal' and 'Machinegun GoGo' sound very similar to KMFDM and Marilyn Manson. Cheerleaders chant "F-U-C-K-H-E-A-D" on the former track, showing that Andy has kept at least bit of lyrical comedy for at least a few tracks, and while 'Machinegun GoGo' is very catchy, it reminds me of several tracks I've heard before, particularly 'The Fight Song' by Marilyn Manson, both musically and lyrically.

A lot of the tracks in this album are very straightforward stripped down rock songs. Tracks like the very sleazy 'Tip The Dancer' and 'Monster' have very catchy guitar riffs, which take me back to older rock tracks. When we are not being amused by lyrical filth, our Andy takes a good shot at being depressed, particularly in tracks like 'Not Too Late', where he sings "I'll make you proud, I’ll stand my ground, I know I disappointed you."

Don't expect to hear most of these tracks in your local club as the majority are not dancefloor orientated [for a goth/industrial/EBM club at least]. Exceptions to the rule occur in 'Paper Angels', and 'When I Am You'. These tracks sound closest to the previous Panzer AG album. 'Paper Angels' shows us Andy just can't seem to stay away from the vocal FX for a whole album, though the result is an impressive track with very catchy and danceable synths. The closing track 'When I Am You' is the best track on 'Your World Is Burning'. The distorted drums at the beginning of the track serve as a reminder of exactly what Andy does best. This track is mostly instrumental, with an interesting range of instruments, showing us exotic female vocals, violins and industrial can work very well together. It's just a shame that the best track on the album is the one where Andy decides to keep his mouth shut!

Overall, the result is a very diverse album, with a mix of industrial, EBM, rock and down tempo electro. However, this album may not appeal to many apart from the legion of diehard LaPlegua fans. Yes, it shows us he does indeed have a very diverse musical and vocal range, but why make an average industrial rock album, when Icon of Coil and Combichrist are doing so well? Maybe Andy realises this, as the 'Dark City' performance in Edinburgh is likely to be the only live Panzer AG performance. It's just a shame that in an album where he was trying to do something different, the best tracks are the ones most reminiscent of his previous material.

-Nads

 
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