Label : Napalm Records
Review by Matteo Bussotti
I’ll make it clear from the beginning: this album is stunning. It’s simply exceptional. It spills energy from every hole (metaphorically speaking). “Second Hand Wonderland” is like sparkle water: you may not like, but when you taste it you can clearly feel the “energy” in it, the sparkling taste in your mouth. And, of course, if you love it, you won’t let it go for a very long time. Kontrust‘s genre, the crossover, is probably something totally alike anything you’ve ever heard before: it unites powerful lyrics, sang in almost a Rap/Hip-Hop style (but with some influences from Metal, also), with strong, Metal-like, melodies which are meant for headbanging. The result is very powerful, it’s something which recalls Rage Against the Machine or System of a Down, in a certain way, but…funnier, and in a happier way. It’s like if Serj Tankian decided to write an album after having watched a Ben Stiller movie. The whole album almost flows uninterruptedly, among rhythms which are never too different one from the other, but absolutely never boring. Believe me, you’ll never think “Oh, I’ve already heard this” while listening to this album; it’s pure entertainment.
The vocals, along with all the other instruments, are simply amazing: Stefan‘s got a beautiful, emotional, voice, making every song a whole new experience; it’s almost like he’s not singing, he’s acting, like if we were in a circus and he was presenting the various performances and artists (In fact, also the cover of the CD refers to a circus). Agata also has got a beautiful voice, being the “melodic” one of the duo, and giving strength and grace to the songs. The result? A perfect, entertaining chemistry. With its fast-paced rhythms, its strong and unique vocals, “Second Hand Wonderland” is a First Hand, Well-Crafted Wonder. A pure masterpiece of entertainment. Be sure to check it out!
Rating – 90/100
Tracklist
- Sock ‘n’ Doll
- Falling
- Monkey Boy
- U Say What
- The Butterfly Defect
- Rasputin
- Bad Betrayer
- Adrenalin
- Hocus Pocus
- Raise Me Up
- Hey DJ!
- Police
Line Up
- Agata – Vocals
- Stefan – Vocals
- Robert – Guitar
- Mike – Guitar
- Manuel – Percussions
- Gregor – Bass
- Roman – Drums