Customer Reviews

Uber Alles

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Hanzel Und Gretyl is one of the best industril metal out there. They are something unique, ive never heard nything quite like it. If you like Megaherz, Rammstein, or KMFDM, chances are you will like this band!

über alles continues the space odyssey that began with Transmission from Uranus with it's sci-fi style. now enter über alles. We are now into a very wagnerian space-opera. The music is furious, intense, and very breathtaking. The integration of industrial and metal music brought us to the mainstream Ministry, then White Zombie and then Static-X. Following the tradition of high quality industrial-metal, Hanzel ünd Gretyl can now claim the place of the best industrial-metal band. With the military-style Third Reich from the sun, the ultra-catchy ich bin über alles, the groovy komm zu ens to the decadant fury of SS Deathstar supergalactic (listen it right now. I'm serious), this album is sure to please everyone who can accept that putting electronic into metal is a good thing. This is the evolution of metal, and bands shouldn't fear using technology to do their music. Hanzel ünd Gretyl does it incredibly.

Hanzel und Gretyl have put together a rougher sounding album than either of their first two, which had some lighter techno. Uber Alles is straight-up industrial rock, but harder than most. The real pleasure in this album is how hard it strikes you. Songs like "Komm zu uns" and "Let the Planets Burn" are total moshing songs, with strong vocal impact from Vas Kallas. Every song on this CD is good for a different reason: some for their rythym like "11:11", some for their catchy-ness like "Third Reich from the Sun". The downsides are that the lyrics can be repetitive and not very imaginative. The German is not perfect either. If you're looking for quality lyrics and music with deep meaning, this isn't for you. The theme to the whole album seems to be Sci-Fi Nazism. If you're looking to push the limits of your car audio system, this is mandatory.

I've been heavily into industrial for almost 15 years now, but deep down inside there's still a wylde chylde buttrocker that rides barstools across the club on 80s night screaming along to Quiet Riot. So when I need a break from all the abstract powernoise and clubby electro / EBM that tends to be on constant rotation in my iTunes, I turn to bands like Hanzel und Gretyl.

Honestly, with this album HuG have strayed pretty far from 1997's industrial-rock "Transmissions from Uranus" -- gone are the driving synthetic melodies and cybernetic lyrics. Despite a drum machine, a voicebox and the occasional sample, "Uber Alles" is at its heart a heavy metal record. HuG have a hilarious, almost GWAR-like sense of humor that makes a nice counterpoint to the driving power-riffs and screaming -- think Kompressor crossed with Ministry.

My favorite tracks are probably "Third Reich from the Sun", "Let the Planets Burn", and "Mein Kommandant". "Mein Kommandant" is actually a bit of a throwback to the old Hanzel und Gretyl -- if you like that, I'd recommend also checking out "Transmissions from Uranus".

Overall, I'd give this four stars. There's nothing really to dislike about this album, but then neither is it a work of staggering genius. It's a fun, goofy collection of head-banging dark metal dolled up in Teutonic drag -- Laibach lite for the Ministry set. Highly recommended for those with a sense of humor, and a great antidote to the sludgy dreck that passes for industrial rock these days.

When I first saw the review in the Village Voice, I thought, "You've GOT to be kidding me!" The abyssmal music industry has put out some nasty stuff, but how they let this un-PC album through.... Then I read further and had to check it out. I've heard HUG a few times on WSOU back in the day but never did it for me. It was KMFDM, Rammstein and Metallica.

I must say, looping seig heil in a track takes balls even if its a parody. What caught my attention was the use of air raid sirens and warning buzzers through the album and the sound of a bolt action rifle being racked in 3rd reich from the sun. AWESOME mixing; her vocals and guitar work didn't trip over each other like so many other bands. There's a good balance between guitars and electronic, a good flow.

I assume 11:11 refers to "But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them."

Fukken UBER!

Let's cut to the chase shall we? Upon hearing "Uber Alles" for the first time,...From the hypnotic "Overture" through very last cut, Hanzel und Gretyl's latest effort delivers on every level. Kallas' relentless, growling vocals and Loopy's mind-boggling metal mathematics combined with an industrial overdrive prove to be an unstoppable force. If the Berlin Wall hadn't already been toppled, "Uber Alles" would have provided the perfect soundtrack for those sledgehammer slamming denizens of Deutschland. As for those who associate this music with certain fascistic ideals, I would suggest they educate themselves. These guys are good old fashioned American capitalists who just happen to know what time it is. The world is an angry place and this album doesn't add fuel to the fire so much as it micturates upon it. Listen carefully, these guys have a sense of humor and irony. Buy this cd (and a few new pairs of pants) immediately.

I found this cd to be better than the previous albums. Not to say that the past ones weren't as good, HuG just keep sending out better lyrics and heavier guitar riffs that ever. They went with a heavier metal sound than they usually use without losing the synth. The best part of HuG is hearing those strong vocals coming from a woman. She pulls it off with a bang. This cd is great to listen to whatever you're doing and wherever you're going. If you have been a fan of HuG since the begining you will like this album. If you are new to them, I encourage you to purchase this and their older albums.

I had never heard of Hanzel and Gretyl until I saw them open for a Ministry concert awhile ago. Their music was awesome, and I was blown away, had to buy some of their music. It's true, if you like industrial music, or just want to listen to an awesome band, then this is the band for you. I was amazed to find the main singer was a women, you can't tell from most of the CD's.

Hanzel und Gretyl bring a fresh sound and perspective to industrial metal without straying too far from the tried-and-true formulas that make this type of music so much fun. Their sound is reminiscent of a cross between KMFDM, Fear Factory, and the Guano Apes, tied together with a few choice sound effects and a good sense of humor.

Right from the start, "Overture" lets you know you're in for something a bit different, as a bombastic symphony and chorus are overlaid with vintage German spoken-word samples. From there, the sound of an alarm leads you right into "Third Reich from the Sun," with an opening phrase of "Look out" that's so harsh and gruff it gives ME a sore throat.

Every song on this disc thunders from your speakers like a physical attack. Distorted guitars set up wall after wall of sound, while the beat pounds, the lead singer shrieks and growls, and choice sound effects (whistling bombs, explosions, gunshots, and the ever-present German spoken-word samples) are sprinkled throughout at just the right time. Despite all the chaos, however, the songs all maintain an actual melody and hold your interest to the last note.

Outstanding tracks include "Third Reich from the Sun," "Komm Zu Uns," "Let the Planets Burn," and "Mein Kommandant." Tracks that are somewhat less than stellar include "Ich Bin Uber Alles," "11:11," and "Transplutonian Annihilation." That's not to say that these are BAD songs. No, they're also very good, just not quite as good as the others in my opinion, and I skip them from time to time while listening to the CD.

Overall, this is an outstanding release from Hanzel und Gretyl. If you're thirsting for an overpowering industrial sound that sets your blood racing and plasters a grin on your face, check this one out.

Anyone who hasn't read the Hanzel Und Gretyl interview in the latest issue of "Outburn" has to have their head [examined]. Loopy and Vas Kallas repeatedly mentioned that "Uber Alles" is not to be taken seriously. Through out the entire interview, the twisted sense of humor of Loopy and Vas shines through. In other words...the duo is not racist nor do is the nazi theme heard throughout the cd is meant to be taken seriously.

This is my first Hanzel Und Gretyl cd I own. I received it for free from Outburn when I renewed my subscription to the magazine. The first time I listened to the cd I wasn't sure what to think of it. The second, third time I listened to the cd the music started to sink into me. I think Vas Kallas has the most intense and brutal set of vocal pipes known to mankind. Normally I don't dig listening to chicks who sings like the ladies in death metal bands like Arch Enemy and Otep but Vas Kallas knocks my socks off. She definitely has a growl that no man can match. I absolutely adored songs like "SS Deathstar Supergalatic". The songs are incredibly catchy as well as heavy and loud. Anyone who takes anything that Loopy and Vas puts out needs to get a sense of humor. I don't know German but even I know that the nazi theme on this album isn't meant to be taken seriously.