"Two years have elapsed since the release of their last album "Himmelfahrt". A lot has happened during this time period. A new record label. A new Producer. Two new band members. Add these new beginnings with the founding core members (Alexx, X-tian, and Wenz) who remain steadfastly fixed on the goal of continuing to create amazing music....and the resulting masterpiece "Herzwerk II" is given life. Stepping beyond the usual theme format of "sex, drugs, and rock n' roll"......Megaherz have included 3 songs with a definite political/social critique. "Glas und Tränen", "Rumpelstilzchen", and "Hand auf's Herz" propel the Text into the realm of world politics and social issues. Megaherz has always penned good solid Text, with a heavy dose of wit and bite. "Herzwerk II" is another brilliant masterpiece which blends intelligent, thoughtful, emotional Text with hard guitar riffs, pulsing bass and drums, and just enough electronic sounds and samples to set the music apart from traditional heavy metal music. "Licht II" and "Gold" are two extravagant examples of industrial precision. Both rely heavily on the use of electronics and are perfect mood changes in the album, "Licht II" is a welcome break coming near the middle of the CD........and "Gold" is the perfect afterglow effect as the CD draws to its close."Herzwerk II" is the perfect blending of metal, melody, muscle, and muse. There is not one track on this CD that deserves less respect than any other. My personal favorites are "Heute schon gelebt?", "5 März", "Herzblut", and "Gold". I strongly recommend this CD to anyone who is a fan of metal/industrial music. You will not be disappointed!"
Amazing German Metal!
Ferrhous Sulfate | Circle City, Indiana, USA | 03/10/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I've been a fan of Megaherz ever since their 2002 release of Herzwerk II. This amazingly powerful album will rock your world, if you enjoy energetic, dramatic heavy metal. Track-by-track reviews below...
1. "Herzblut" - An amazingly dramatic opening track, it an the album hit you like a speeding freight train. A commanding violin riff in the background accents a dramatic chorus.
2. "Glas und Tränen" - Another freight train. Great head-banging music, if you want to bang Osama bin Laden's head. You see, this song is about the September 11th terrorist attacks and a tribute to those whose lives were lost.
3. "I.M. Rumpelstilzchen" - A parody on the traditional fairy tale of Rumplestiltskin, the lyrics criticize oppressive governments, such as that of former East Germany. Very addictive chorus, "Ach wie gut, dass niemand weisst, wie ich heiss" ("Oh how good that nobody knows what my name is").
4. "5. März" - Best. Track. Ever. Commanding and dramatic guitar riffs accent the beginning; this track truly has the best melody of any song Megaherz has ever cranked out. The melody truly evokes the thoughts of sadness, regret, and despair that are brought out in the lyrics. This track is not to be missed!!
5. "F.F.F. (Flesh For Fantasy)" - A German cover of the classic Billy Idol song. The translation is pretty bad (as is expected), but the melody is preserved. Not too shabby.
6. "Hand Auf's Herz" - This one is for them lying, cheating politicians out there. Addictive beat and chorus. The Bill Clinton sound bytes get annoying after a while, though.
7. "Zu Den Sternen" - Interestingly, this song is a musical complement to "5. März". The format is identical, but the chords are different. The tone of "Zu Den Sternen", however, is more hopeful than desperate. Not quite as magical as its musical counterpart, but a good track nonetheless.
8. "Licht II" - Just a filler instrumental track. Has nothing to do with the Megaherz's "Licht", which was released on the album "Wer Bist Du", and is a great track, unlike this one.
9. "Heute Schon Gelebt" - Truly a rallying call for our younger generation. The tone of this song is hopeful; it encourages us to get up and do something. The melody isn't half-bad, either.
10. "An Deinem Grab" - A simply amazing punk rock/emo track. This is one of the most dramatic songs I've heard. Starts out soft and lilting, then progresses to the dramatic chorus. The lyrics are somewhat depressing, though; the song's title translates to "At Your Grave" and is a story of unending love in the face of death.
11. "Perfekte Droge" - An addictive dance-themed track. Not quite the musical forte that the others are, but not terrible either.
12. "Spiel Nicht..." - Aggressive, in your face track. The softer verses complement the banging choruses.
13. "Gold" - An unusual track on this album; soft electronica is the mode here. However, it's a great cool-down and final track.
14. "Es Brennt" - (Only available on Limited Edition) - Megaherz in this Limited Edition track once again pokes fun at authoritarian regimes. Excellent buildup from the verses into the chorus.
Overall, amazing album. If you like Rammstein or any of Megaherz's earlier works, you'll probably love Herzwerk II."
What fun!!
towSaint | Forest Grove, OR United States | 07/26/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I love this band, and this album has not changed that opinion one bit. This album has less of a hip-hop / rap influence than Kopfschuss and is a little more rock. From the mandatory ballad-ish tune 'An Deinem Grab' to the faster rocking '5 März' this album exhibits 13 more reasons to make Megaherz one of your favorite bands."
Megaherz's best!
harmfulwave | Fort Oglethorpe, GA USA | 03/16/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What is all this talk of Megaherz losing their "edge" on this album? No and no! The sound has become more multitextured and incorporates more electronics than before, but the sound is not soulless for being something more than a wailing guitar and a screaming vocalist. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit this, but to contrast against those "soulless" accusations, I will say that both "5. März" and "An Deinem Grab" have made me cry. "Heute schon gelebt" is every bit as much a personal challenge to the listener to bolster his will as was "Schlag zurück". "Perfecte Droge" simply rocks, loud and hard. The disposable "Hand auf's Herz" is the only blemish to an otherwise perfect album. I wish former lead singer Alexx all the best with his Eisbrecher project, but if this album represents the birth of a new direction for Megaherz, I cannot wait for their next album. "Wie Phönix aus der Asche," nicht?"
Going out on a high note...
harmfulwave | 08/07/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the last CD by Megaherz, at least with Alex Wesselsky as vocalist, and might I add it's the most polished. Each song builds on the solid strength of the other. Songs like 'Heute Schon Gelebt?' definitely deliver on the heavy-industrial level, and then you have 'Gold' which is pure elektronik. To put it simply - it sounds great and is an exciting, powerful escape from the dull American rock scene. If you like Rammstein, Oomph!, In Extremo, KMFDM, or Metal and/or Industrial whatsoever - you will be impressed by this album."