Unleashing their second album on a generally unsuspecting world, German band Unzucht take little time in showing themselves to be a formidable and robust provocation, and more importantly a thoroughly captivating one. Creating a rapacious brew of industrial and gothic metal which as easily seduces as it can chew upon the senses, the Lower Saxony based quartet with Rosenkreuzer, have primed themselves to be an undiscovered presence for a great many no longer. Consisting of thirteen songs which romance and invigorate the passions, the release is a fiery and magnetic tempest of sonic causticity and metallic antagonism wrapped in a smouldering electro glaze which soaked in enthralling temptation makes band and album one of the must listen escapades of 2013.
Formed by De Clercq (guitar, electronics, vocals) and emerging around 2009 with the line-up of vocalist Der Schulz, bassist Blaschke, and drummer Fuhrmann alongside its founder, Unzucht unleashed debut EP Engel der Vernichtung the same year. Numerous appearances on a wide array of compilations followed before the release of the Deine Zeit läuft ab EP in 2012. Bringing a strong attention and reputation their way simultaneously, the band in September of last year uncaged their debut album, Todsünde 8 , a record which went hand in hand with an intensive length of time touring which saw Unzucht on the road firstly with Mono Inc., followed by Megaherz and then a eager participant at the Dark End Festivals 2012. Their album drew good acclaim, stretching the recognition of the band to greater lengths which Rosenkreuzer will ignite further. With a very successful co-headlining tour alongside Lord Of The Lost under the belt this year, Unzucht stand poised to truly explode a full awareness around them with their album an irresistible weapon.
The NoCut Entertainment released Rosenkreuzer takes mere moments to have attention and anticipation alert with its title track. 
Opening up the adventure with instantly contagious electro grooves and an enticing atmosphere, the track is soon teasing and dancing around the ears with unchecked energy and a brewing rapacious intensity which ebbs and flows pleasingly around the excellent vocals, theirs a clean delivery with scowling and melodic harmonies alternatingly taunting the imagination further. It is a compelling introduction to the album, a fiery mix of industrial and gothic endeavour which is soon matched by Kind von Traurigkeit. Less forward at the start but more intimidating in its breath than its predecessor, the track roams senses and thoughts with an accomplished and engaging prowl, the vocals an emotive narrative which as in all songs defies its German language delivery to paint an evocative picture upon the enticingly crafted canvas of the song.
Triebwerk stalks the ear next, its opening predation soon accelerated into a dark hearted crowding of the senses with raw riffs and caging rhythms. With menace and danger continuing to guide the track, and pop kissed flames exploding across its bow to increase the potency of the resourceful evocation throughout, the song keeps the thrilling presence of the album going before passing the baton on to the absorbing Nur die Ewigkeit. There is a seemingly familiar presence to this track from the start, the vocals again inviting full attention to the Numanesque sounds which stroll with respect and inciting success around the imagination. It does not quite live up to the heady levels set but leaves the appetite for the album boiling nicely.
Through the feisty Feuersturm with its incendiary electronic stimulation and metallic aggravation, and the smouldering croon of Zwischen den Welten, the album continues to grip purposely and effectively, the second of the pair a seductive and sinisterly inventive treaty for the passions to submit to. There are at times elements which bring thoughts of Rammstein into play though they are fleeting moments to be fair, except on the outstanding Angst which is very much in their countrymen’s territory, and though there is an easy to access and commit to feel to the songs it is all distinctly Unzucht.
There is not one track where you find yourself looking forward or reluctant to indulge in numerous time but further pinnacles come through the excellent Das dunkle Tier, a track which dares to involve a delicious stoner/hard rock groove into its expressive tantalising, and the wonderfully inventive and powerful Der Untergang where the band again draw out a call which is pure contagion whilst sealing it in an emotionally blazing pool of sublime beauty.
An impressive cover of the Héroes Del Silencio track Entre Dos Tierras also stands out with its inventive and melodic head held high before the album provides a deliciously sculpted ballad in the shape of Nymphonie and finishes with the exhausting electro/metal stomp of Mit Dir oder ohne Dich. Coursing with a rhythmic rabidity which often has to relinquish its grip throughout to the equally fascinating hues of the keys and electronic weaves which eventually take the song into stronger evocative depths, the track is a melancholic sunset to close Rosenkreuzer. The album is a refreshing incitation from a band you can expect to be on a great many more lips and exploring a greater well of eagerly attentive ears here on in.
8/10
RingMaster 24/10/2013
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