Kontrust - Secondhand Wonderland

And now for something completely different! I honestly know nothing about this band outside of their current album thanks to Rdio. It was in the new release listings so I clicked on it to give it a listen and I'm sure glad I did because I really like this record. They are a complete whacked out combination of System Of A Down and Evanescence with a bit of Korn mixed in for good measure. From the opening cut "Sock N' Doll" you are up to speed on what this album is going to deliver. 

The group has a real talent for slapping odd sounding words with an excellent cadence that makes me at least want to sing along immediately. Convention is thrown out the window here, as evidenced by “Monkey Boy” and “Rasputin.”  What is consistent throughout the album are the vocals, which alternate between the female vocalist Agata and the male vocalist Stefan.  Both bring their own unique styles and range, with Agata providing the pop-sounding vocals and Stefan providing a surprisingly good German or Russian folk singer with touches of Reggae all done with a metal growl.  As for the supporting music, there isn’t much in the way of being able to analyze the basics, as much of it is jumping from style to style, which can be reggae at one point, and then jump into polka and then on to circus music.  The best way to truly enjoy Second Hand Wonderland is to just not think about where the music is going at all and enjoy the ride.

Lyrically speaking, it’s difficult to get into a genuine analysis with material like this seeing as how English isn’t the primary language for any of the members of Kontrust and my understanding of German is about as profound as my understanding of whale songs. What’s not tricky to get into in regards to Secondhand Wonderland is the instrumental aspect of the album. I dare you to listen to this record without feeling the urge to get up and move. It has a kind of energy to it, the kind typically reserved for children hopped up on too much soda and sugary sweets, that makes you want to spring out of your chair with reckless abandon. The driving rhythms and crunchy guitars are at the root of this sensation.

Now at some points this album become so absurd that you might think you're having a nightmare or have drank the kool-aid but c'mon who doesn't want to hear heavy metal and yodeling mixed together? I sure as hell do and maybe that's exactly why I think this band is brilliant. Listen to the more accessible "Adrenalin" to which you'll be rocking along until all of sudden the circus music breakdown appears and if you don't crack a smile their is something wrong with you. Rammstein who do make some crazy German nu-metal have nothing over this band but with that said just do it.

It goes without saying that if you can’t bring yourself to listen to music with an open mind you probably aren’t going to want to bother with Secondhand Wonderland. I’ll be the first to admit that Kontrust definitely isn’t for everyone. That said, if you have it within you to experience an album that is somewhat innovative and meant to be good-humored, give this record a shot – I promise that if nothing else you’ll come away from it with an appreciation for peculiarity.