(photo credits Alexander Dietz)
KÄRBHOLZ present the official video for “Unter ferner liefen”, the second single from the upcoming new studio album “Kapitel 11: Barrikaden” (Metalville Records – street date 24.03.2023).
„Unter ferner liefen schon immer ich und mein Verstand.“ A confrontation with the demon within us that keeps us falling into the same trap. In the endorphin rush we believe we are invincible, even immortal. Until our spirit slaps us in the face and says: “How could you do it again? But with time we make peace with this demon. We hold our own in this balancing act between euphoria and pain, between happiness and suffering. The last will be the first? Well, at least they’ll cross the finish line. And anyway, why always be first? It’s lonely there. An ode to irrationality.
KÄRBHOLZ – Kapitel 11: “Barrikaden”
It will be 18 years in 2023 for the 4 friends of KÄRBHOLZ from the tranquil town of Ruppichteroth in Western Germany.
Some people might think that at some point the wear and tear must show. Not at all. Because: the forced break of the past two years was by no means just a stroke of bad luck for Torben (vocals), Adrian (guitar), Stefan (bass) and Henning (drums). True to the motto “The break is also part of the music!”, the time was used to catch their breath, recharge and creatively come together and reunite in the rehearsal room. Once again, the four guys were supported by the producer team Eike Freese (Chameleon Studios) and Alexander Dietz (Heaven Shall Burn, Chemical Burn Studios).
On Kapitel 11: “Barrikaden” you can hear 11 pieces. Songs that tell stories from life, sometimes in a small, sometimes in a big way. The opener and namesake BARRIKADEN, which questions entrenched social structures and interpersonal beliefs with a hard metal edge. The vehement RAUBTIER, which tries to reawaken the same. UNTER FERNER LIEFEN… “always me and my mind”. An ode to one’s own irrationality. Or also the brute EINS GEGEN EIN, which longs for peace with itself, comes to the conclusion that in the battle with itself – unfortunately – there is usually no winner, before it betrays its true, all-encompassing intention in the end. These are some examples that make clear where KÄRBHOLZ have their musical influences. There’s more “Killswitch Engage” in here than “Die Toten Hosen”. That makes it hard to pigeonhole the songs.
But of course, not all that glitters is metal. The musical range of the album is proven by songs like the poem DER ZUG set to music, the “almost crossover” brawler MUT GEGEN PERSPEKTIVE or GAR NICHTS, which alternates between bittersweet harmonies and rigorous reckoning with false friends.
KÄRBHOLZ – Kapitel 11: “Barrikaden” is a good 40-minute musical journey through the various corners of the KÄRBHOLZ cosmos, but without ever losing itself. An album that usually only reveals its musical complexity at second glance, but in the end leaves you feeling good and sends you on another journey of discovery.
Kapitel 11: “Barrikaden” will be released on CD, vinyl, as a fan box and digitally.
Album and Single can be ordered here https://kaerbholz.lnk.to/Kapitel11-Barrikaden
TRACK LISTING Kapitel 11: “Barrikaden”
Barrikaden
Raubtier
Unter ferner liefen
Gar nichts
Eins gegen Eins
Der Zug
Mut gegen Perspektive
Ohne Deckung
Ja zum Leben
Zu dir oder zu mir
Gib mir Deine Hand
LINE UP
Torben Höffgen – vocals
Adrian Kühn – guitars
Stefan Wirths – bass
Henning Münch – drums
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 