CD Review: Neocracy - Who To Blame? (Rock, 2024)

This band had a huge surprise in it's bag at the time they came around with the first full album. It took a long time until the new record "Who to blame?" could be finalized but it was worth the wait.

Neocracy teased this album with the highly addictive single and video for the track "Torment". Once heard it was nearly impossible to let the refrain go out of my mind. It kept in rotation for a long time. 

The cover of Neocracy's second album "Who to blame?"  

Now that the second longplayer had it's time I can say that the band once again had a lot to say. The fragileness of the first album release is still there. While the band often lays down a rocking performance it's the vocals of Fraziska Stolze that add a layer of deep emotions to each track. But there's far more in there. The guitar riffs come from various sources, from rocking to metal-classic. Sometimes they come to the front of the sound but often they also stick to the background.

So what's new in the new album? It's the vocal contribution of bassist Tim Pannek. He added on nearly half of the tracks his growling organ which put's a good contrast to the female voice. It's feeling like light and darkness when you hear the new songs. 

Maybe it's a bit unusual at first listen but with every round you'll become more familar and will enjoy the album on a deeper level. I've done so on three to four completed run downs of "Who to blame?" and have never regret to spent a moment at all.

The drums have become heavier, too. They sound like pushed to the maximum but never become boring. There's a good balance in them so they don't ruin the sound.

"Who to blame?" comes with fine production. It's not feeling overloaded. Instead it centers on leaving room for atmosphere and so the album breathes and lives - something I'm very happy about.

I'll give a strong recommendation out on this one. If you don't listen and buy this gem you'll miss out one of the finest releases in recent months. Ask the band via Facebook or Instagram messages for the physical edition - I'm sure you'll want to be able to hold the CD in your own hands also the download is fairly priced at 8 Euro on Bandcamp. 

Neocracy open the road to the new album with heavy catchy single

I remember the time the first Neocracy album hit my inbox. It was a special album full of sensible and broken feelings beautifully packed in riffing songs. The raw sound made it sure all the feelings came through in a direct way without changes.

The new Neocracy is a bit different from what the band released this far.

The newest single called "Torment" goes a different way. It's sound is still soaked with riffs but the drums are way heavier this time and a word on precise timing. The contrast comes in with the vocals that are fine and full of emotion. It's refrain is a earworm that once it's inside your mind won't leave you again. 

But the track has even more to offer. The last third comes with a surprise showing dark toned vocals that the bassist throws into the sound. It all get's a heavier touch before a extended guitar solo and the female vocals close the single. You can intensively feel the dedication the musicians put into the making of "Torment". It's a well worked out track with fine mixing - you need to listen closely to hear all the details that are inside.

Make sure to follow Neocracy further on Facebook and the popular Instagram network. After this teaser I'm sure many of you out there can't wait to see and hear how the band moves on in the upcoming time.

Album Review: Neocracy - Pure Organic (Emotional Rock, 2022)

The songs on the debut album of Neocracy speak of intensive feelings experienced in life.

The cover already says that something with feelings waits inside.

Besides the rough sound shell shines a face twisted in two parts. The female voice talks in a finetuned and fragile way about life while the growls may picture the darker depths and sides of our existence. 

The same duality can be found in the instrumental colors. There are soft guitars to be heard all put at the proper moments. But the heavyness kicks always in at moments things may get to monotone. Sometimes percussion elements like on "Shallow Hearts" bring some change. 

There are always moments when a surprise comes in. Listen to "Fate" and the clear part towards the end will surely raise your attention bar.

The guitars loop on the last moments - not to be heard that often. If you check out "Respect" closer the keyboards towards the end jumping through the music also add some extra taste to the already great meal.

My favorite is still "Sleep Awake" for it's very catchy way of building up and breaking down and the feelings shining so pure inside of the vocals. But the whole spectrum of feelings comes out throughout the duration of the album so please don't judge them for only this particular track.

The sound on the disc is very self produced. This comes with a good and a bad side. It holds the magic of the moment and prevents the rough and direct emotions from being taken away. But sometimes a bit more flat sounds would have made it a bit more comfortable to enjoy.

Anyway, it's still well worth to listen and purchase especially if you look for something going under your skin.

Contact the band on Bandcamp and Facebook if you want buy a copy of the album.