Hardbeat

Description

According to the band itself, *Hardbeat* is their best achievement to date, both in terms of production and composition as well as performance. While this statement may seem cliché — as is often the case when promoting a new album — it is mainly explained here by a new dynamic brought in by their new guitarist, Luca Rosnau. Arriving in 2024 to replace Tom Lindemann, he has perfectly integrated, drawing on his previous experience within the band's technical team. Luca has also brought a fresh breath to the composition of *Hardbeat*, combined with the work of the main composers and founding members Sebastian Kranke (guitar) and Tim Dammann (vocals), resulting in an album of great diversity. It has everything: from ultra-heavy blues to catchy shuffles, along with melancholic atmospheres and electrifying rock tracks. For the band, the album offers a sense of novelty while remaining familiar. The tried-and-true formula remains unchanged: maximum refinement, punchy riffs, and a rhythm section tighter than an XS-sized pair of underwear. For the recording, the band returned to the approach taken for their previous album, *No Frills*. Once again, the tracks were recorded live, perfectly capturing the very essence of HARDBONE. The goal was to achieve an authentic and organic sound while remaining impactful and uncompromising. As with the previous album, Eike Freese played a major role in creating this sound. The band greatly values this collaboration, which is both enjoyable and demanding; for all participants, the result is undeniable. The recording process was somewhat overshadowed by health issues affecting the band and their close circle, which ultimately influenced the choice of the album title. At the same time, this title also reflects the overall sound of the record. Overall, HARDBONE is very proud of this new work, especially since the creative process has not always been straightforward. After the release of their previous album during the COVID-19 lockdown — which prevented the record from reaching its full potential — the band was more determined than ever to prove themselves; this energy is now immortalized and palpable in the listening experience.