German beer swillers TANKARD have now spent nearly 25 years perfecting, or should I say fermenting their very own brew of classic old school thrash metal. ‘The Beauty and the Beer’ is the latest 10 pack of beer worshipping metal anthems and is released just in time for arguably the world’s biggest beer consuming event, the World Cup, which of course takes place in TANKARD’s native Germany.

Opener ‘Ice-Olation’ is thrash monster, the ferocious riff and roaring chorus leap out of your speaks like a wild tiger – the production here is first class, well done Andy Classen! Not far behind that is the equally powerful ‘We Still Drink the Old Ways’ and next up is ‘Forsaken Word’ which boasts a killer lead riff and yet another memorable, classic ANTHRAX style shouted chorus.

Fourth track ‘Rockstars No.1′ is a song about the greatness of Germany, and when it comes to beer, who can argue? As for the title track itself, it’s without doubt the album’s fastest song but still manages to leave a mark with yet another strong anthemic chorus and monstrously heavy riffery.

Sandwiched in-between the highlights are a number of straight-ahead thrashers such as ‘Blue Rage : Black Redemption’ and a track (not so) cleverly titled ‘Frankfurt : We Need More Beer!’ – this one is a little different though as the intro is a touch of ancient German folk played on the horn! The real standout on the second half of the album is the anthemic ‘Metal to Metal’. The lyrics are typical MANOWAR stereotype, “no techno, no hip-hop, it’s driving me nuts”… but still it’s a real belter of a track!

The album is closed with ‘Shaken not Stirred’ and the most amazing thing about this song is the fact that TANKARD haven’t used this song title before! No prizes for guessing what it’s all about – well basically, drinking ’till you drop!

All in all, ‘The Beauty and the Beer’ is a damn fine slab of 100% old school thrash metal with all the qualities of the superb modern day production. An essential purchase for fans of the band and for everyone else, a more than worthy introduction to the fun filled, alcohol fuelled world of the mighty TANKARD!

Rating 4.0/5.0

James Allman

Release Date : OUT NOW!

Visit : www.tankard.org

TANKARD play a very rare UK date this winter. They will be drinking the bar dry at London’s Camden Underworld on 12th November. Don’t miss it!