Saturday, September 28, 2013

September 27th, 2013 - Straight Out Of [Germany]... And Into My Glass!





Happy National Beer Day!!  In pre-celebration of this coming Thursday's Helloween show and in celebration of German beer and German metal in general, I'm pairing Helloween's "Straight Out Of Hell" with an Ayinger Privatbrauerei Oktober Fest-Märzen!  Hell(oween) yeah!!  This pairing goes out to my thrashin' friends in the band Truce and my Denver power metal friends from Vacant Throne!!  Cheers fellas!!

"Straight Out Of Hell" is the 14th studio album by German power metal beasts Helloween.  It was released on January 18th, 2013.  Founding member, guitarist Michael Weikath stated of the album... it is the "consequent development of the two albums before. The new songs are a continuation of the "7 Sinners" directives, only less doom-bound and noticeably more positive. These songs will kick even the laziest listener's ass."  Far "happier" than previous albums, "Straight Out Of Hell" thematically looks at war and peace, love and loss, and faith and science, along with a few other motifs... with soaring vocals, driving guitars, thunderous drums, and boom bass!  Highlights on the album include: "Nabataea," "World of War," "Far From The Stars," "Straight Out Of Hell," "Years," and "Make Fire Catch The Sky."  "Burning Sun" is dedicated to the late Jon Lord of Deep Purple and "Wanna Be God" is dedicated to the late Freddy Mercury of Queen.  The line-up includes Andi Deris (vocals), Michael Weikath (lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals), Sascha Gerstner (lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals), Markus Grosskopf (bass, backing vocals), Daniel Löble (drums) and guest musician Matthias Ulmer (keyboards).  "Straight Out Of Hell" is killer power metal from masters of the form!

Brewed according to the German 1516 Reinheitsgebot Purity Law, the Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen is a traditional Märzen.  It pours a transparent, copper-amber with a big, ivory head.  The nose is caramelly and malty with a hint of crisp hops.  There are notes of toasted grains, baked bread, and sweet toffee.  It has a fairly high level of carbonation and a medium body, which makes it very drinkable, but with some good depth of character.  The flavor of the Oktober Fest-Märzen is both malty and sweet.  There are notes of sweet caramel layered over roasted malts and grains with just a hint of piney hops as the beer warms.  I always get a little maple flavor and a little apple flavor with Märzens as well, which I find here too.  The Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen is a great fall beer to celebrate Oktoberfest and to rock out to with Helloween!!

Check out Helloween at https://www.facebook.com/helloweenofficial!  And catch them on tour this fall!  I will be seeking them this coming Thursday (October 3rd)... and my friends in Truce will be opening for them!! 

Hails!!  Prost!!

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