Year : 2021
Style : Heavy Metal , Hard Rock
Country : Germany
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 119 mb
Bio:
Originally started as a two-man project by Christian Lautemann (ex Harridan, Catastrophe Ballet, Srained) and Gary Bonassi in 2013, it developed into the actual band Bad Butler in 2017.Drummer Tom Diener (ex Powerwolf), whose surname is the inspiration for the band name (Diener = Butler), bassist Christian Junker and frontman Dominik Kockler complete the group of two guitarists. In this constellation, the first self-produced album Not Bad At All was released in August 2017. In 2021, Tina Backes took over the bass part.In the meantime, the band has played numerous gigs on stages all over Germany and their fan base is growing steadily, also on an international level. After winning the Future Rock Contest 2018 and the corresponding radio appearance on Rocktalents, a classic rock radio format, one thing is certain: "Bad Butler...rock your brains out" (Der Lange - presenter).
Album:
I have to hold my hands up and state that most things metal and hailing from Germany, have never grabbed much attention from me. Whilst acknowledging their obvious ability and acclaim, the likes of U.D.O. and the Schenker’s have always left me cold and uninterested, so it was with a very deep sigh that I pressed play on the second album from that nation’s Bad Butler and, in all honesty, settled back to be completely unimpressed.The slow, eerie sound effect styled opening to “The Ballad of Flesh & Blood” didn’t do much to dispel that feeling until the song kicked in and proved to be a hard driving rocker that caught me completely off guard and immediately had the right foot tapping! “Black Church” and “Lost & Hopeless” are both sprawling and slightly swampy in style with the latter being the better of the two for me, in terms of immediate appeal.“Hornz Up” is an out and out anthem with thankfully only vague Iron Maiden traces that do nothing to hinder the obvious commercial appeal of a full stadium response to this potential audience pleaser. “Serious Business” continues the rich vein with another commanding chorus, and “The Others” has a growling ,, almost Helloween-like feel to it.Unfortunately – for me at least – we are back in Maiden like territory for “Shattered Dreams”, “Expect No Mercy” and “The Stand” which are all epic and apocalyptic with faintly ludicrous lyrics and the requisite Bruce Dickinson styled vocal, although all three aforementioned tracks are bolstered by fine production and superb guitar work. “Raise Your Flag” thankfully ends proceedings with another rousing rocker that all but dismisses my personal preference annoyance of the Maiden influences which are also very evident on the album cover artwork.The twin guitars of Gary Bonassi and Christian Lautemann are ferocious, featuring some fine solos on many of the songs which should easily appease those who yearn for them in their rock. The rhythm section of Tom Diener’s drums and Tina Backe’s insistent bass are all fine compliments to the charismatic vocals of frontman Nik Knockler whose vocal range is highly impressive throughout.Whilst this album hasn’t drastically changed my opinion of all things Germanic in metal and won’t have me rushing out to load up with Scorpions or U.D.O. back catalogues, it was, overall, a pleasant surprise and, to quote the title of their 2017 debut album, Not Bad At All.Hornz Up indeed !
Line Up:
Nik Knockler - vocals
Tina Backes - bass
Tom Diener - drums
Gary Bonassi - guitars
Christian Lautemann - guitar
Tracklist:
01. Ballad of Flesh & Blood
02. Black Chruch
03. Lost & Hopeless
04. Hornz Up
05. Serious Business
06. The Others
07. Shattered Dreams
08. The Stand
09. Expect No Mercy
10. Raise Your Flag
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
