Always outside of the podium, Tankard’s position as number four in the German big four of thrash has been accepted over the past 40 years. And despite the past dismissal of their focus on alcohol to the detriment of the more serious subject matter that their big brothers Kreator, Destruction and Sodom have tackled, Tankard’s ability to deliver honest thrash metal has never been in doubt. In fact, they are without doubt massively underrated.
With a settled line up for over two decades, studio album number 18 serves as a reminder that whilst their better-known brethren may also still produce new music, once could easily argue that Tankard’s consistency makes them the better listen, at least on today’s output.
Pavlov’s Dawgs brings all the tongue in cheek lyrical gymnastics you’d expect from Tankard, but with a thunderously heavy spine that should spin any circle pit with a ferocity that maybe the old guard cannot muster with such consistency today. As you’d expect, they rarely stray from the blueprint that they have established throughout their thrash journey but that is not a criticism here, far from it, for their dynamic formula works in every aspect.
“Ex-Fluencer” takes a dig at social media, “Beerbarians” requires little explanation and the powerful explosive drive of “Diary of a Nihilist” is a nailed-on pit monster, all high tempo, driving drumming and screaming leads that cut through the wall of riffs thanks to Martin Buchwalter’s solid production.
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Pavlov’s Dawgs is a lengthy beast. At 55 minutes in total, the songs need to be not only solid but memorable. Thankfully the Germans have managed that with ease. It’s rare these days that I find albums of such length captivating but this one certainly hooked me from the start. Tankard’s style is such that you can’t but help to nod along. Musically, they are extremely solid and although they still have the lyrical chaos, they have been tackling more topical subjects in recent times. “Veins of Terra” is just one example, bringing their own observations alongside some chunky riffage.
In a year when two huge thrash beasts returned with new albums that were both rather average, it’s refreshing to hear an old school band bring out one of the best albums of their career. How can you resist a track called “Metal Cash Machine”, a stab at celebrity status, especially when it is played at ramming speed with those incredible Teutonic gang chants, the inevitable “Lockdown Forever”, or the dark and melancholic closing song “On the Day I Die”, with its gloomy self-reflection which still has a pumping undercurrent.
I’d rate Pavlov’s Dawgs amongst my favourite thrash albums of 2022, and in a year when high quality has been a constant, Tankard can stand proud and tall. These days they may be veterans, but they can still work their magic.
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Pavlov’s Dawgs is out on September 30th
Check out all the bands we review in 2022 on our Spotify and YouTube playlists!
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