Panzerkreutz - Panzershreck (2011) - Atmospheric raw black metal with intense lyrics - 85% (09/07/12)

Panzerkreutz was a short living project of German musicians from well known bands such as the controversial extreme metal band Eisregen, the atmospheric gothic metal group The Vision Bleak or the straight Neue Deutsche Härte performers from Hämatom. The musicians all know each other very well and they also collaborated on projects such as the morbid and electronically influenced gothic metal band Ewigheim or the more complex and lyrical project of Marienbad.

On this release, the musicians though play raw and desperate black metal that creates a very negatively drowning atmosphere. This apect of their music positively reminds me of one of the most famous German black metal bands which is Endstille. The true highlight of these two tracks - one performed in German, the other one in English - are the lyrics that portray with authentic, direct and intense words the horrors of war and how acts of violence disturb the human nature.

Musically, the band had the idea to add some samples with battle noises taken from old movies that create some additional atmosphere. The music itself is fast paced and pitiless. Even though the musicians are quite skilled, they keep the whole thing simple but efficient. The vocals are definitely crazy and unique. You may understand why the singer is considered as one of the best German extreme metal singers when you listen to this output. He also performs some clean vocals in the second track but they strangely feel out of place and don't sound much convincing. This idea worked better in the epic Marienbad project.

All in all, the two tracks should please to any fan of atmospheric and fast paced black metal and to all those who like intelligent lyrics about the dark sides of life. The two songs make you want to hear a full length record but as the band split up this might never happen. These two tracks are the only ones ever released under the Panzerkreutz banner. I think that the band had a lot of potential and I like almost everything the four musicians have done in their career, especially when they have joint their forces. These two tracks are easily stronger than your usual generic black metal music that undermines more and more the underground scene. Try to get your hands on this rare gem if you like the description or if you adore the associated acts mentioned in the beginning and you surely won't be disappointed. I hope these guys may one day dig in their past again and surprise us with a return of the project as it was the case for Ewigheim after almost eight years of silence.