AN NCS PREMIERE: DER DÖBERMANN — “BURN YOUR FIRE”

Here in the U.S. Judge Judy would blanch at the idea: a Russian band naming themselves after a German breed of dog that’s so dangerous many home insurance companies ban them, refusing to insure against liability if they cause injury or damage in homes where they’re kept as pets. Sure, they have a reputation for fearlessness, alertness, loyalty, and intelligence, but look at that album cover.

True enough, this gang from Saint Petersburg chose the name Der Döbermann after deciding to start thrashing together in April 2021, and now they’ve got a debut album to show for their efforts, one with the reassuring title Don’t Be Afraid, You Already Dead. We’ve got a bite of what it offers, and a sign of how it bites, in the song we’re premiering today: “Burn Your Fire“. When you hear it you’ll understand why the band chose the name they did instead of, say, Der Dachshund.

True to its name, the song does sound like a burn-it-to-the-ground attack, and will give your adrenaline the kind of kick that would come from being chased by a junkyard guard dog. The high-toned riffing jitters, brays, screams, and squeals while the drums drive like high-octane pistons hammering your skull from the inside and the bass rumbles the guts.

The song also includes breaks where the guitars generate a menacing, gnashing sensation and the drums switch to methodical sledgehammer blows, along with a swirling, spitfire solo that adds to the song’s megawatt voltage. Through it all, the vocalist comes for the throat in a raw and rabid bark, teeth bared and blood boiling.

And like all thrash should be, the song is also a catchy beast (that can out-run and catch you in its jaws). Probably a very good way to stir up a foaming-at-the-mouth circle pit in a club too.

Don’t Be Afraid, You Already Dead was recorded with music producer Konstantin Dolganov, and that vicious cover art is the work of Svetlana Kuprikova. The record will be released by Satanath Records on July 20th (CD and digital). Check the links below for more info, and also check out the album’s previously released single “Fight For Nothing“.

PRE-ORDER:
https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat364-der-d-bermann-dont-be-afraid-you-already-dead-2023

DER DÖBERMAN:
https://derdobermann.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DerDobermann/