Raubtier - Bärsärkagång (2016)

It is that time again for me to give you some good lessons on Swedish, or more accurately, it is time once again to indulge ourselves in the Northern predator known as Raubtier. The Haparanda trio is once again back to rage against the urbanization of our society, and to bring some northern attitude into our dull lives. A mission that never seems to end.

So what is Sweden's answer to Rammstein bringing to us this time? Yes, you guessed it, more of the same thing that we have heard in the previous 4 albums. "Bärsärkagång" (berserk) is filled with adrenaline-fueled, fist pumping industrial metal that is angry, heavy, and reeking of moonshine. While this is the thing that the band is known for, it could also be considered as their weakness, because they have not really evolved their music enough to make it feel relevant or exciting. While I do enjoy such speed freaks as "Tropaion" and "Hymn" (anthem) from time to time, I will still turn to the older material if I want a song like that.

But it is not the fast songs that makes "Bärsärkagång", it is instead the slower songs that are shining. It is still not like the band has changed, it is still the same structures and themes as we are used to, but these songs have a tendency to be more impressive since there is a nerve to them. Take "Genom Allt" (through everything) for example, a slow, almost ballad like song that is beautiful, and the band still maintains the toughness that they are known for. It really shows that the band can make other songs, just that they are not fully willing to.

And it is for that reason why I consider Raubtier to be suffering from a disease I would like to call the "Motörhead syndrome". In other words, they make the same album over and over again, just with tiny differences. However, the difference between Motörhead and Raubtier is that Raubtier rarely changes their song structures nor their lyrical themes. It has gone so far that you get a deja-vú moment at every other song, something you definitely do not want to experience while listening to new music.

Individually, I find every song to be quite decent, but together in a album, they make a thick swamp that is not only tough to go through, but also gives you the feeling like you are going nowhere, crossing the same spot over and over again. The things that makes me endure this are few, one being the rugged voice of Pär Hulkoff, who ones again leads his band with his overly manly voice. What would this band be without him?

When I listen to "Bärsärkagång", I feel like Arnold Schwarzenegger, because I do not care for this Predator guy anymore. Raubtier has its niche, and it is nice in small doses, but it can easily be boring when you consume it in big quantities. There is not a single song in this album that cannot be found in a better version in any of the band's previous 4 albums, which of course makes this my least favourite Raubtier album up to date. It still tingles a little bit, but it is obvious that the bite of the predator is not as strong as it used to be.

Songs worthy of recognition: Genom Allt, Bothniablod, Tropaion

Rating: 5,5/10 Praetorians

Raubtier - Pansargryning (2014)

From the northern wilderness comes the heavy industrial trio Raubtier (German for predator), a band that has been compared as Swedens answer to Rammstein. Just like the legendary Germans, Raubtier sings in its native language and brings a heavy and unique sound to the table. With their love for singing about war and death, this trio from Haparanda has conquered Sweden very quickly. "Pansargryning" (armor dawn) is the band's fourth album in just five years (and that does not include the two albums they have released in their country band Bourbon Boys), just one of the evidences that this band does not sit quietly in their boat and waits for the fame to come to them.

For those of you who have heard this band before, you will instantly recognize their sound in "Pansargryning". It is heavy and determined industrial metal with catchy choruses and lyrics about war and misery. It is definitely comfortable to know what you will get from Raubtier, but of course, there is a thin line between being reliable and being boring. I feel that they have shown us what they got in all their albums, but not how much they have evolved. Maybe I am speaking too soon about that since this band has only been around 6 years, but you cannot just simply put that fact away.

The most impressive tracks are the ones that are most memorable. It could be one distinctive thing, like the brutal power in the opener "Dieselrök" (diesel smoke) and the extreme speed in "Raptor", or just a good chorus, like in "Qaqortoq" or "Innan Löven Faller" (before the leaves fall), that makes a Raubtier song stand out. But the most impressive thing is that Raubtier has a ability of making the most out of every track. Even the worst track "Skjut, Gräv, Tig" (shoot, dig, shut up) sounds decent thanks to the band's passion and dedication.

Then there is also some songs that actually makes this album a little more versatile than its predecessors. "Opus Magni" (grand opus) is one of their most epic songs while "Bränder" (fires) and "Innan Löven Faller" is probably the closest to a ballad we will see from this band. This makes me hopeful that this band can progress and develop their sound further in the future, but they still have to show that they can write different types of lyrics. But as said, I am hopeful.

I would not rate "Pansargryning" as Raubtier's finest album to date, but it is definitely coequal with its predecessors. The catchy and heavy songs makes sure that Raubtier's rank as one of the most popular acts in Sweden does not decrease. They still have some way to go to reach their full potential, but these guys are determined, so I am certain that they in the end will win the war.

Songs worthy of recognition: Innan Löven Faller, Dieselrök, Qaqortoq

Rating: 7/10 Bränder