Blog — Page 150 of 277

Rammstein – Self-titled new album

The release of the yet untitled upcoming seventh studio album by the entity that heralded the dawn of what has been classified as “German Neue Deutsche Härte”, i.e. Rammstein, is upon us.

My personal relationship with the individual constituents of a band that has conquered this earthround multiple times over, dates back to the late eighties when excursions to Hungary exposed me to punks from the GDR, who traded tapes of such obscure bands like Sandow and Feeling B and other outfits like Zwitschermaschine and Schleimkeim.

The fact that the roots of Rammstein can be traced back to underground punk bands has always added an additional dimension and credibility, especially once Rammstein became mainstream darlings with their Depeche Mode cover version and eventually conquered the new world with their David Llynch collaboration and their hyperbolic Teutonic antics.

The fact that the phenomenon and institution that Rammstein has established itself as has never not been intriguing, with specifically their live and video incarnations always pushing the envelope of what is commonly considered to be acceptable and of good taste, speaks volumes about their significance.

Needless to say that one was eager to see if the new album's lead single, "Deutschland", was going to add yet another relevant facet to the complex theme of Germanic patriotism and not merely a lacklustre button push to get the feuilleton writers of their homeland riled up – especially given the “controversy” the mere announcement of the title of their first single ignited.

The choice of Specter, who has had a major influence on the evolution of hip hop in Berlin and therewith everything that has now infiltrated mainstream territory,  to direct the video for “Deutschland” got my hopes up: I was not disappointed as the eye candy that frames the solemn, patriotic and ambivalent discourse is an exercise par excellence in making viewers visually sensitive to Lindemann’s narrative, which guides us down the rabbit hole of German history and polarises opinions resulting in debates about what constitutes good taste, provocation merely for provocation’s sake and what can be justified under the banner of free speech in the current political climate.

I have yet to experience the album in its full glory, yet what I have heard so far is a surprisingly fresh breeze that does not tinker with the DNA of Rammstein too much – think effective dynamics and pacing,  Flake's creative keyboard work, the throning thick and tight wall of sound and guitar licks that Richard Kruspe and Paul Landers have become known for, along with Lindemann’s trademark vocal delivery.

However, the formula works better than ever and even adds previously unheard facets, most prominently the ditty going under the name of “Puppe”, which exhibits Lindemann at his rawest and presents an adequate acoustic musical equivalent to what can be found at the core of his more personal literary emissions.

Summa summarum, an album that I’d recommend to anyone remotely interested in heavy music and specifically to those who enjoyed Rammstein’s previous emissions.

Bruce Dickinson: What does this button do?

No matter if you like Iron Maiden or his other incarnation in the field of music, it would be hard to deny that Bruce Dickinson is a renaissance man of sorts as he has reinvented himself constantly, be it as a commercial pilot, cancer survivor, author, beer brewer, writer, spearhead of NWOBHM or what else you got.

Given the aforementioned gives whatever the man emits a credibility that a lot of his peers’ lack or at least what their output makes it appear less profound in comparison.

What Does This Button Do?  Is not a biography per se but via memoirs it gives an astute account of the evolution of a man that has a lot of interesting facets, which are underpinned by a passion to go beyond of what most people would be satisfied with.

The book is not an old world equivalent to The Dirt or anything remotely similar. Despite being borderline forensic when it comes to detailing some of his personal trials and tribulations, he refrains from shedding light on petty disputes, ex-partners, celebrity friends and foes or inner and outer band related rivalries. Bruce is much better than having to rely on such antics.

The beauty of the book is that Dickinson has mastered the craft of telling by omitting and one gets quickly what he implicitly tells in between the lines.

One cannot help but feel that the tome is also an invitation to enter the world of Bruce Dickinson, i.e. not a fantasy wanky rock star world but access to the realm of a salt of the earth guy who applies himself to whatever he feels passionate about.

The fact that Dickinson proves to be a good and witty writer certainly aids in eliciting smiles and the occasional laughter, which adds a light heartedness that goes amiss with the literary emissions of his peers.

An inspiring, entertaining, thoughtful and genuinely good read that is devoid of self-aggrandising grandeur and adds yet another dimension to an agile man whose journey has had many avenues and is far from over.

Water of Life - Amrut

I vividly recall the whisk(e)y tasting where I was first introduced to the “nectar of the good”, which is what the Sanskrit “Amrut” translates to.

The Amrut Distillery evolved from having a small focus on brandy and rum to a veritable heavyweight in the international whiskey landscape and their Single Malt based on Indian barley grown in the UK that was proffered to me, left a lasting impression: While it did not state on the bottle the amount of years the whiskey was aged, stating that would presented itself was “flavourful” would be an understatement par excellence.

The aroma of this golden drop was based on toffee notes, vanilla and caramel, causewaying into citrussy and lemony realms and from the get go the character shone through, which is rarely found with comparatively young whiskeys like Amrut’s Single Malt – it certainly does not have to hide behind well-established twelve-year-old.

What materialized on the palate only intensified the “ah ha” moment as what how the complex manner in which the creamy sweetness unfolded itself starting with oaky chocolate notes and then building up to a crescendo dominated by cinnamon and peppers is quite something.

With 46% ABV an excellent and satisfying drop that made me curious about Amrut’s other expressions and, oh boy, was I in for a treat once I got on the Amrut train.

The journey continued with Amrut Fusion.

Now, the Fusion expression takes things to the next level: Within big bold fruity, citrus, cinnamon, oaky and spicy aromas just the right amount of peat finds itself at the core, an impression that is confirmed on the palate as it is enveloped in dark yet fruity chocolate flavours and a finish that is dominated yet not overpowered by sweet notes.

A superbly harmonious, seductive, multi-faceted and complex drop that especially with the infant ghosting of smoke and peat plays in a league of its own, which is not further wondrous as the fusion aspect is informed by the usage of mixing Indian malted barley with peated Scottish one.

Okay, by now we have established that you could do much worse than try any expression of Amrut, however, we have not peaked yet.

Ready?

Amrut Peated.

Good god. Readers of our “Water of Life” series would be familiar with the fact that I harbour a weak spot for anything smoky and peaty, yet this rich and intense drop made me realise that I have missed out so far:

The aromas that hit the nose are already a thing of beauty…think peat, oh sweet peat, hints of caramel, peat, subtle smoke and, quell surprise, a bit of bacon.  Yumster!

Now, where a lot of peated whiskies would now take a sharp left to ashtray central, which I am usually very much in favour of when it comes to smokiness, Amrut’s Peated expression surprises with a delicate fruitiness as it hits the palate. Delicate in that there are layers which inform each other and seamlessly transition into the pleasant finish, which marries the fruity character with the peat from the beginning.

WoW.

In layman’s terms, I’d describe the Peated Amrut as a more elegant Bowmore 12 on steroids.

What a masterstroke in Amrut’s line-up of exquisite quality expressions - I feel deprived not having had this as a staple on my shelf.

A visit to the Amrut Distillery has become a must-do for my upcoming trip to the subcontinent.

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photo provided

Conscious Experience: A Logical Inquiry

Anil Gupta

Harvard University Press

Empiricism.

Consciousness.

Rhyme and reason.

Now, while the title of Anil Gupta’s book might at first glance invoke the impression that it is one of those airy-fairy esoteric tomes, the opposite is the case. In a very concrete manner, the book sheds light on what constitutes what we perceive to be our consciousness, the way we employ it to experience the world and how concepts can be modelled to gain a deeper understanding dichotomies, empirical reasoning and dialectic.

There is an extent of theory that is laid out and needs to be absorbed and digested, yet it serves as fertile ground and foundation on which a new outlook on the world around oneself can be built, adjusted and, if need be, reconstructed.

The way things are exemplified, e.g. the perception of colours as being an actual representation of physicality versus the empirical that colours are in essence not qualities per se at all, is both accessible, engaging and relatable.

The alignment of seemingly contrary concepts and approaches is what makes Conscious Experience a worthwhile read as it adds dimension to how rationalism is conventionally not only depicted but practiced by many without ever calibrating their approach.

While the concepts that are dealt with seem highbrow at first, it becomes apparent that they are all inextricably linked to our day to day operations and one cannot help but take two steps back to evaluate one’s take on things after each chapter, specifically when it comes to the transparency of experience and perceptual judgments.

Books like Conscious Experience serve as a motivator and wake up call when you are about to fall prey to complacency and the notion that you have arrived.

Rum is something I am slowly getting into so, well, let’s talk molasses instead of barley and malt for a minute.

A commonality is that not unlike most whisk(e)s, Diplomatic Reserva Exclusive is matured in rather small oak casks for an average of twelve years before being bottled.

With the Diplomatico distillery being located on the northern slopes of the Andes mountains, it does bring a Venezuelan take on things as soon as its aromas hit the nose.

The nostrils are tickled with a melange of vanilla smoke, nuts, minor astringency, fruits and sweet caramel, which not only gives a hint of the flavours that are to unfold on the palate but is an accurate depiction of Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva’s mellow flavour forward character throughout.

 It culminates with an elongated finish that could be described as “hedonistic”: There are dark fruits, cocoa, toffee, hints of spice, tobacco and pineapple, butterscotch and the omnipresence of vanilla.

In essence, one hell of a delicious velvety serenade in liquid form with the thin legs of this cognac and mahogany coloured drop cascading down the glass after swirling and ideal for a desert after a luscious dinner.

Now, for the heathens: Diplomatico is a sipping rum that ticks all the right boxes in the olfactory department, i.e. it is defined by an absence of harshness and it is not something you want to waste by mixing it with cola or other atrocities. Drinking neat is the way to go as anything diluting the warming flavours, oaky nuances and superbly creamy and slick texture would be a crime.

The luxurious presentation of this gentlemanly diplomat with the frosted green bottle and custom stamp is flawless and a feast for the eyes, with ample attention to detail and the adornment of tube it is housed in makes a more than welcome addition in the aesthetic department of your liquor cabinet.

As you might be able to tell, the pleasure I am getting out of a pour of Diplomatico Reserva is not unlike what I get from a dram of good Scotch.

A recent Boilermaker Dinner hosted by the Cauliflower Hotel’s rum aficionado luminaries within the realm of their Tiki styled rooftop bar, with special guest Daniel Hutchins-Read from Baranows Emporium, proffered not only excellent sustenance to go along with Diplomatico’s expressions.

The Planas expression, matured for six years was a surprise with an intensity that is not often encountered with white rum, especially ones that have a crystal-clear appearance like this one, yet lands with smoooth finish.

Diplomatico Mantuano took things to the next level – matured for eight years in white oak ex-bourbon casks, a whiskey-esque character resonates throughout, which makes it a favourite of the range.

Needless to say that the aforementioned Reserva Exclusiva made an appearance and accompanied by a Dark Ale and an excellent desert, it unfolded all its strength, i.e. nuances and showcased that rum can be much more than the pirate drink mainstream offerings portray it as.

Needless to say that with the expertise of the MC, and seasoned Spirits Ambassador of Daniel Hutchins-Read, gave the event an elegant edge and elevated the event to something that accumulated to more than the sum of great food, fantastic rum and well-matched brews would have you think. The fact that Daniel can draw on years of expertise not only representing premium brands but also has longstanding experience channelling his alchemy behind the bar, made it for another both enjoyable and informative evening, which the Cauliflower Hotel has become known for with its events.

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Photos by T