Cover tunes are somewhat of an abnormality for me. Even when it’s just one on an album of all originals it strikes me as lame, wasteful, and utterly cheesy. Though over the years we have heard some great covers, in any genre, it still presents mixed opinions from this reviewer. So when a pretty well know gothic death metal band decides to cover 80’s pop songs, I can’t say I feel that was a good career move. After listening, my expectations were valid. Werk 80 II is laughable.

I’ll be the first to admit that growing up popular culture sticks with you in some way. It makes life worth living to have that nostalgia. So, even though I am not a fan of 80’s music, I can say I respect and enjoy hearing the good old tunes now and then. With that said, Atrocity have butchered these once great songs. Seriously, this is horrid.

Starting things of with “People are People” by Depeche Mode, you get an idea for what Werk 80 II is going to deliver. No growls!! If your going to do this train wreck, at least inject the death metal you’re known for. Lead man Alexander Krull is in no position of talent to be trying to sing these songs. Some parts are horrific when compared to the originals. And why not compare covers to the originals? If you can’t do the song justice, why do it at all? “Relax” by Frankie Goes To Hollywood is another torturer with the emphasis on the word “cum.” The hilarity in all this is how serious the band takes this. Trying to hard.

Another huge problem with this record is the lack of innovative qualities to the music. The riffs are pretty simple. Seems as if the band just found the chords and added low tuned distortion to them. Keyboards are very prominent and it gives Werk 80 II a less metal vibe. Female vocals are present a lot and almost sound computerized. Some of these songs don’t even touch metal territory. It’s just repulsive. I couldn’t listen to this hunk of shit more than once and I barely made it through that sitting. Do yourself a favor and forget this ever existed, and if for some reason you enjoy this, please enlighten me on why.

The one redeeming quality I’ll give Atrocity’s Werk 80 II is that at times, they seem to bring new light to these songs. Good ideas are presented for a short period Yet, in the end that moment of enlightenment is crushed. I personally find this to be a waste of time and money on Napalm Records end and Atrocity’s. Just don’t see the point and I can imagine the first Werk 80 is just as bad. Stick with the death metal guys.

Atrocity have lived up to their name and created a truly atrocious album. Why anyone who calls them selves an extreme metal fan would engage in listening to this is beyond me. Personally, I was forced and did get a good laugh at some of the material on this record. There is nothing metal about crucifying 80’s pop songs like this. This is the biggest joke album of the year.

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