Here we have a new and promising act emerging from Meckenheim near Bonn / Germany called KRUSCHKE. They are around since spring 1998 and the first result of their efforts is this self-financed six song MCD Schattenreich. The music itself is basically powerful and groovy Death Metal gingered up with some other ingredients such as pieces from Thrash Metal, Black Metal, Grindcore and some keyboard sounds (mostly clad in the garment of a beautiful piano). The opening title starts with the piano, offerning a fine melody to your ear that is underlined with a sphery sound. Then suddenly a unexpected and intelligent rhythm joins the party before the guitars follow. In the next moment everything is speeded up alot, the piano melody still present. In the further run some more tempo changes take place and keep the music altering and interesting. It sounds really great and entertaining. The second song has alot of groove with some faster parts. But unfortunately there is a short theme I personally do not like that much: the stop – and – go – guitars with the following reverb, it sounds much to mordern and too PANTERA alike for my ears. Lucky me that it is a short part and only apearing once. Listening to the third song I feel somehow reminded on the first album of DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER. Eventful songwriting with a lot of tempochanges, some calmer (piano) parts, more violent erruptions and fat groovy rhythms. The same goes for the next three songs. I do not want to express that KRUSCHKE sound similar to DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER nor that they are copycats, but from my point of view their style of music will surely appeal to everyone into DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER. Simple as that. Besides, the vocals are aggressive, not too deep and as varied as the music itself. The sound is strong and powerful, revealing every note to its listener. A big praise goes out for the whole layout of the cover and inlay (black and white) as it is way more professional than the ones some of the established labels dare to “decorate” their products with. Clean, well structured and not overcharged with effects. This is a good example that sometimes lesser is far more. All in all an appetizer for more, labels should keep an eye on… Go for it for 15,- DM at Andreas Kruschke, Goehtestr. 2, 53340 Meckenheim and visit their hompage at www.daskruschke.de or write them to kruschke@surt.de