Electric Callboy – TEKKNO
Release Date: 16th September 2022
Label: Century Media Records
Order/Stream
Genre: Electronicore, Metalcore, Melodic Metalcore, Post-hardcore, Nu-Metal, Eurobeat.
FFO: Attack Attack!, Abandon All Ships, Asking Alexandria, One Morning Left, Dead by April, Pendulum.
Review By: Kara Ketchum
Do you ever listen to a band that sounds like their discography could be an anime opening? That definitely could be Electric Callboy. In their decade-plus years of existence, this Castrop-Rauxel sextet have focused their efforts on being the most fun metalcore band around. In 2020, with the introduction of their new vocalist Nico Sallach, Electric Callboy launched into stardom breaking their streaming, charting, and award season records (and so much so as to be in the running to represent Germany for Eurovision.) While the band has truly quite a history behind them, we’re here to focus on the now with their newest release, TEKKNO.
Before you even have a chance to take a breath, the experience starts strong with “Pump It”, something reminiscent of the ol’ Dance Dance Revolution arcade game. The dance pop/eurobeat/synth heavy tune then falls away into quintessential metalcore, with the first gnarly breakdown to grace this album. The accompanying music video, in my opinion, should be required viewing when listening to the song, as the synchronized workout routine was the absolute cherry on top of the milkshake.
For the second track (which not to be outdone as both a party-anthem contender and an entry into a sort of music video hall of fame), “We Got The Moves” is here to lighten the mood. Equal parts gnarly and extravagant, the song is the audio embodiment of a shaken can of soda.
There seems to be a chance to breathe with the opening of “Fuckboi” before being emotionally raptured by the crooning of Kia Castello from Conquer Divide. The feature is a disruption in the way that these installments are usually performed, with a blending of the entire band as opposed to one or two members into another song. The song is nostalgic with an equally sentimental music video, but still carries the overarching vibe of lightheartedness. This is followed up by another collaboration, “Spaceman” featuring FiNCH. This song takes a quick detour back to the stratosphere with an upbeat romp and a few hip-hop verses, showing the group’s variability.
We move into the heaviest song on the album with “Mindreader” which could impress even the snobbiest metal purist. The pop influences still make themselves apparent, but act as a compliment to the heavy and accentuating it, rather than taking away from it. It is the perfect segway into “Arrow of Love” that stands as a bridge between the heaviness and the dance beats people tend to know Electric Callboy for. The bridge to the breakdown has that certain je ne sais quoi that gives your brain the perfect feel-good massage. The breakdown is nothing to scoff at, and even then it’s followed by the perfect swell into what seems to be the last chorus – before dropping again into Warped-Tour-era metal nastiness. This gives way to “Parasite” – a sensory delight that brings the heart rate to an acceptable level. The balance between the different parts of the wall of sound is notably exquisite. The song follows a natural, familiar progression for the genre.
Moving to the back half of the album, “Tekkno Train” starts by a soft push from what sounds like it could be a reprieve from the hits into another whirl of compelling party jingles. However, the biggest surprise on the album comes from “Hurrikan.” Talking too much about it might require a spoiler alert, so my biggest suggestion is to watch the music video (attached to the post) that made my sometimes-jaded metalhead heart blush from the switch up. The final track of the album, “Neon” ends things on a high note, both emotionally and by artistic skill.
How do you end a review where the album does most of the speaking for itself? TEKKNO is this year’s most fun release, and there is no contest. Taking the time out of your day to listen will be time well spent, and I’m willing to put money on it.
(4.5 / 5)
