Tankard - Alien [EP] (1989)

 

The story of Tankard is an exceptional one: the Thrash Metal force from Frankfurt, Germany is around since the early 80s already, spearheading a wave of German Thrash bands who became successful worldwide (Kreator, Destruction, Sodom a.o.). And while a lot of other bands struggled, split up or came back with reunions, Tankard never had these problems. They have always been there.

And they kept their worldwide fanbase for all these years, delivering one strong album after another. When you think of beer and Thrash Metal the name Tankard is the first that will pop up for sure.

Founded in 1982 in Frankfurt, Germany their first sign of life was recorded in 1986 and indicated that not only the Ruhr district is the home of the growing German thrash metal scene. 

At first they were known under the names Avenger and Vortex before settling on Tankard in 1983.

Formed in 1982 by three classmates, bassist Andreas "Gerre" Geremia, guitarist Axel Katzmann and vocalist Frank Thorwarth. Thorwarth and Gerre soon switched roles; at the same time the trio added drummer Oliver Werner and second guitarist Bernhard Rapprich.

The band chose their name after looking through a dictionary and seeing a word defined as "beer mug."

Their earliest written song was called "Ray Death", a song about nuclear war and their first gig was played in a local classroom in 1983. As drinking alcohol in the school was banned, they smuggled their beer in with milk cartons. Soon after, Bernhard Rapprich left the band as his conservative father did not want him "hanging around with a bunch of drunks" and he was replaced by Andy Bulgaropoulos.

With the lineup now stabilised, the band released their first demo, titled Heavy Metal Vanguard, in 1984. After this, the band toured with fellow German thrashers Sodom. SPV were interested in signing both bands, but allegedly SPV retracted a deal after seeing the band perform live. In 1985 they released a second demo, Alcoholic Metal, which cemented their thrash metal style and lyrical themes. Both of these demos were very popular in the underground, and on the strength of this demo they signed with Noise Records. The eight-track demo also features rough versions of four songs that would later appear on their debut album, Zombie Attack.

Zombie Attack was released in July 1986. In October 1987 their sophomore album, Chemical Invasion, was released, with the album art being the first of eight done for the band by artist Sebastian Krüger, followed a year later by The Morning After. Both of these albums were produced by Harris Johns, who would go on to produce all of the band's albums up to 2000. However, shortly after the release of compilation Hair of the Dog, original drummer Oliver Werner quit the band to be replaced by Arnulf Tunn, and the band released three albums with this lineup: The Meaning of Life, Stone Cold Sober and Two-Faced. They also recorded the live album Fat, Ugly and Live during this time. This lineup then folded when Tunn was replaced by Olaf Zissel, who remains in the band to this day, in May 1994 and the next year founding member Katzmann was forced to leave due to osteoarthritis in the wrist. That year the band released The Tankard, which is widely viewed as a very good album by fans and critics alike, and is their final album with Noise.

-Tracklist:

Side A:
1. Alien     03:09
2. 666 Packs     04:53

Side B:
3. Live to Dive     03:09
4. Remedy (Rose Tattoo cover)     02:49
5. (Empty) Tankard     04:43

 

-Line up:

❌ Gerre: Vocals
❌ Axel Katzmann: Guitars
❌ Andy Boulgaropoulos: Guitars
❌ Frank Thorwarth: Bass
❌Oliver Werner: Drums.

Label: Noise Records.

 

 Re-released together with "The Morning After" in 2005.

Backing vocals performed by Midas Touch.

 

 Recorded at MusicLab/Berlin in August 88 & January 89.

Mixed at MusicLab/Berlin in January 89 by Harris John & Tankard.

 

 Cover artwork: Becker-Derouet, Sebastian Krüger.

 

 "Remedy" originally performed by Rose Tattoo.

Issued with a printed inner sleeve including lyrics on one side, and tour dates on the other. Also includes a merchandise insert.