Incredible Pack - Time For Decisions (12 Vinyl-Album)

When three rock icons, whose pasts read like a who's who of the German music scene, come together and then dedicate themselves to blues rock, you can expect an "unbelievable package." In 2017, guitar genius Andreas Schmid-Martelle, the “German Pope of drumming” (US Drummer Magazine) Manni von Bohr and bass player of international stature, Ufo Walter, formed a power trio whose music comes out of the speakers “straight and tough” and lives up to the band’s name: “Incredible Pack”. “Andreas, Ufo and I have been on the German scene with various bands for a long time and we know what we want to play. We are a real, honest power trio who bring a breath of fresh rock 'n' roll into the somewhat stale pop and rock scene in Germany," Manni explains the band's intention. Andreas adds, "Our music is 90 percent rock 'n' roll, 5 percent blues, and 5 percent funk." After their first album, "Packed in Blue" (2020), which could best be described as blues rock made in Texas, their follow-up, "Time For Decisions" (December 03.12.2021, XNUMX), once again showcases a Texas-influenced blues rock that successfully blends classic/hard rock. During the event-free period, the guys decided to be creative rather than mope around, and are now releasing a second album. Stylistically, the "Incredible Pack" continues their powerful lineage on "Time For Desicions," and Martelle, with the right touch in songwriting, succeeds in creating songs with a high level of recognition. He successfully blends several musical styles in individual songs without creating any apparent breaks in the pieces. For example, the initially hard-rocking "Hot Shot," in which Martelle embarks on a journey into more hard Texas blues rock with a guitar solo that would also be fitting for ZZ Top. The stylistic diversity is made possible by two masters of their craft, two rock veterans, Manni von Bohr and Ufo Walter, who form a rhythm section that provides a full and truly driving sound foundation. Added to this is the versatile guitar playing of Martelle, who, in addition to the rhythm work, repeatedly intersperses fine solos. "We play music for the ear, brain, and legs, with catchy, energetic songs that are neither trite nor unimaginative," explains Manni. Analogies to blues greats are sometimes evident in the songs, as melodies or solos are cleverly incorporated into the band's own song structure in a slightly modified way, so that the slightly ballad-like "Let Me Be Your Friend" may evoke memories of "Little Wing" for Jimi Hendrix fans. In a way, it is a journey through time through the world of harder blues rock, which also includes grooving numbers like “Sleeping With The Lights On”, which Dr. Feelgood would have looked good, provides a good example. Or the hard “Disbelieve,” in which the vocals in the chorus are already reminiscent of Lemmy; although Martelle’s diverse voice is a bit softer. The CD also includes two bonus tracks, "Don't Think About Her When You're Trying To Drive" and "Hello Josephine," which, in terms of quality, aren't meant to be mere fillers; a CD simply packs more than a vinyl album. "Time For Decisions" is a self-contained work that, with a fine touch in songwriting and song composition, will appeal to even the most die-hard blues fans. The old guard of German rock shows that they are far from being old hat, but are still bursting with energy. And this energy will soon be available live on stage with a jam-packed setlist from both albums. “We haven’t been able to tour yet and haven’t played a concert in this line-up.

Page A
01 Sleeping With The Lights On
02 Hot Shot
03 Disbelieve
04 Practice What You Preach
05 Time For A Decision
Side B
01 Let Me Be Your Friend
02 Worse Before It Gets Better
03 I Can't Cry
04 Dangerous Age
05 Don't Think About Her When You're Trying To Drive