Why did i pick this release? A question never to ask, because Stahlhammer is always a must for any "german metal" fan. So i didn't hesitate when i got the chance to even buy it a few days earlier than the official release date actually allowed it.
Now lets take a look at another great release from austria! Well, if things would be that easy. First, fasten your seatbelt and take a look inside the cover. 2 ARTISTS. Cannot be. I'm afraid it can. Gary Wheeler decided to do a little tweeking and sized the band down to only himself and Stahlhammer's ever-since bass player Peter Karolyi (to be heard on every past album.) Not a good decision in my eyes, i already didn't like the line up of Stahlmania as it was too weak compared to Eisenherz, now Opera Noir got even "slimmer". I don't like the artificial drums, they sound too flat, i don't like the fact that there's only one guitar because it's not enough for the famous sound of Stahlhammer. Worst of it, i don't enjoy most of the new songs, because there's not enough inspiration in them. The lyrics are not always very interesting to say the least. There's plenty of examples that give me the same impression - good idea, but weak execution. Like the intentions behind "Krieger morden nicht" are certainly good, but the song as a whole fails to impress me. Going on with "Jazz", "das schreiende Herz" and so on.
Too sad, because some songs really do it for me. Like the great opener "Vienna". It's by far the most remarkable song on the album. A heavy guitar supports a growling Gary Wheeler in best voice. "In the air tonight" isn't bad either, although it's questionable if there's at all a possibility to do a "bad cover version" of that song. "Der alte Mann" tells a similar story to that of "der zerbrochene Traum" (Stahlmania) and sounds quite nice to my ears. The last song "Heroes/Helden" is again a cover version, and it's again well done. That's it for the outstanding performances on "Opera Noir". Not even the title song rules this time, although i know, it always was a guaranty for an outstanding song.
What Stahlhammer needs, is a heavier set up - no question. Or could you imagine Rammstein only with Till Lindemann and Schneider? I'm a bit angry now, because i know that Stahlhammer can do so much better! Stahlhammer shoudln't do gothic, not even rock or get too experimental, i like them best when they sound heavy, melancholic or wild. Ofcourse they don't have to compare with Manowar (at least not DIRECTLY hehe) but a heavy sound and well written songs should do the trick. Beginning and end of this release are impressive, but it can not keep up entirely with past days of glory and enthusiasm.
Score: 
Reviewer: Tobias Weigl
Hompage: Stahlhammer.org
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