Search - Tankard :: Best Case Scenario: 25 Years in Beers

Alcoholic Metal after 25 years!

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 08/09/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Now here's a compilation worth raising your glass to! Beer-swilling German thrashers Tankard celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2007 by releasing the retrospective Best Case Scenario: 25 Years in Beers.



Best Case Scenario provides a decent, if not very comprehensive, overview of Tankard's alcohol-obsessed career. It basically covers material from 1986-95, including three songs from Zombie Attack, two from Chemical Invasion, two from the Alien EP, the title track from The Morning After, two songs from The Meaning of Life, one from Stone Cold Sober, two from Two Faced, and one from The Tankard. There's also a medley that combines four different songs. This is a great overview of the early Tankard sound, but I have to wonder why nothing from the past decade was included. Still, Best Case Scenario is a fun compilation, and is perfect for those who might not want to buy all of the band's (let's face it, repetitive) studio albums.



If you love old school thrash metal, particularly those early Anthrax albums, and wish that every song could be about alcohol fueled mayhem, it's time for some Tankard, and Best Case Scenario is the best way to get your fix!

"

And You Don'tEven Have To Be 21 To Listen To It!!

Stanley Runk | Camp North Pines | 01/07/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Poor Tankard, they've never been recognized by the thrash community for the great band they are. In the thrash scene, Germany is known for it's Big Three bands that dominate the scene, but it should really be a Big Four as Tankard should be mentioned in the same sentence as the other three. Tankard have managed to separate themselves from the(6)pack by abandoning the evil/doom/destruction/violent lyrics of their fellow countrymen and decided not to take themselves too seriously. Instead they staged their whole act around beer/alcohol and an assortment of goofier subject matter. This may be why some folks have always written them off as a kind of novelty act. Humor in thrash metal?? The nerve of these jerks!!! The sound of thrash metal always seemed to go more hand in hand with serious and grim subject matter and imagery, but don't you think for a moment that because Tankard has a sense of humor that the music is any less intense. Some of Tankard's work far surpasses that of their more famous brethren(though they aren't as technical as say, Kreator).

Best Case Scenario: 25 Years In Beers is a compilation done in the same style as Destruction's Thrash Anthems, which is to say that the current band lineup has gone into their back catalog and re-recorded some of their classic tunes. This kinda thing usually splits the fans into two camps. As good as Tankard's old albums are(good luck trying to find them for a decent price anymore), they have done a stellar job with these recordings. Heavy, fast, funny and catchy as hell. Don't think it can measure up to the Big Three of German Thrash? Put your money where your mouth is and check this one out(or 04's Beast Of Bourbon for a real kick in the teeth).

These guys seriously need more recognition."