I am listening to the new Die Krupps material...

...and wow. I have to say that this is a total curveball. I really wasn't expecting an EBM/Electro album from them. Their last album was released in 1997, and the years leading up to its release had seen them embrace the  metal sound more and more. Die Krupps were originally an electro/synth band (formed way back in 1980), but as the 90's arrived, so did a darker, heavier edge. I have waited 13 long years to hear new music from this amazing band, and I was expecting them to continue where they left off, rather than look further back in their history. I think there is a good reason for this stylistic back-pedalling, however, and that is that they have spent the last few years since their reformation, touring (and therefore rediscovering the older material) and have also released an album of re-recorded versions of their classic songs. When you look at it realistically, the metal style they toyed with was a relatively recent addition to their sound, and was only for a brief period. So, taking that into account, I suppose it is reasonable to expect them to relegate it to a more backing role. Of course, there are still heavier elements here (mainly in the simplistic, Germanic guitar riffs), but the overall feel is more of an electronic/industrial  EP. This is, in no way, a complaint as I really can't get enough of this. There are 4 new tracks on offer here, along with a cover and a few remixes. For long term DK fans, this is obviously highly recommended, and for those of you who might be new to the band, it is a fairly good place to start, but for a real introduction, I would recommend the album of re-recorded songs that I mentioned earlier, "Too Much History".

This is the opening track from the EP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ6D2SnsvTA