Zahn is the German word for tooth and Zahn are a Berlin-based trio who enjoy making noises, though to be fair, so do all musicians. Zahr’s previous album Adria was a genre collage that included krautrock, dark jazz, noise rock, and post-punk. Purpur (‘purple’) is their third album.
The first few seconds of the first track ‘Stroboskop’ sound like Yazoo’s ‘Only You’. It includes wailing synth like a jammed police siren and chugging guitars that make Led Zeppelin sound as hard as candyfloss. On ‘Gensher’, oscillating synth combines with chunky chords and a spiky riff. It could soundtrack the onset of our collective doom or an Adam Curtis documentary. Terrifying but in an excellent way.
‘Diaabend’ begins with Casio keyboard choir and skittering drums, and it has a riff that’s so acutely angular it would be obtuse to say otherwise. The weird time signature adds to the sense of anxiety. The track becomes a Foals-like wig out then the sound of a hysterical computer that’s had tea poured on it. ‘Solex’ contains plaintive arpeggios and more chunky guitars. It’s a nu metal funeral song that’s much more funereal than Funeral Song by The Rasmus. On ‘Alhambra’, Gary Numan synth gives way to a Muse-like jam, which is replaced by menacing country music, which is eclipsed by space rock, which is jostled out of position by drone disco.
The first half of ‘Katamaran’ sounds like an Amon Tobin and Santana duet, and after a very brief interlude, guitars and drums are bashed with the ferocity of Vikings cutting a swathe through the village. Think triple strength Napalm Death. Whatever Can can do, Zahn can do as well. ‘Atoll’ is as krautrock as you will ever find: a pulsating, psychedelic jam. After jam comes ‘Butter’ – a giddy stomp that Black Rebel Motorcycle Club would surely love to call their own. If Interstellar was a happy film, this would be the main theme.
As predictable as it may be to make the comparison, it must be said that Purpur contains shades of Kraftwerk. However, Zahn are far more in tune with the works of Canadian doom mongers Godspeed You! Black Emperor. There isn’t a single lyric on their latest album, but who needs words when you can create such a wonderful racket with instruments? Something to bear in mind for your next team meeting.
Purpur is out now via Bandcamp
Review by Neil Laurenson
Keep up to date with all new content on Joyzine via our
Facebook | Bluesky | Instagram | Threads | Mailing List