Blogpost: The Formative Years – Blut + Eisen

Posted by T • May 4, 2021

Posted by T • May 4, 2021

The Formative Years – Blut + Eisen

 

It was in the second half of the seventeenth century that the President of Prussia, i.e. Otto von Bismarck, concluded a speech pertaining to the reunification of Germany by coining the phrase “Blut & Eisen”, a thinly veiled reference to a poem drenched in patriotism by Max von Schenkendorf. An occurrence which eventually coined him to become widely known as the “iron chancellor”.

Almost simultaneously to learning about the factoid in a history lesson at school, the name became a staple in my punk rock collection with the band Blut + Eisen from Hannover entering my world.

Formed in 1982, the band lasted for five years and left a legacy that proves hard to rival for any German punk band coming after them.

What started inspired by Die Toten Hosen predecessor ZK evolved to one of the fiercest and musically tightest German punk and hardcore acts the old world had to offer in the 1980ies, starting with a contribution to the classic “Keine Experimente!“ compilation from 1983, released on the Weird System label, which we have covered previously.

Their intense first album “Schrei doch!“ not only stands the test of time musically but is enhanced by the production courtesy of what has become a legendary producer, i.e. Harris Johns, and should be an integral part of any respectable punk / hardcore collection as even Maximum Rock’n Roll acknowledged early one, deeming it to be “easily one of Germany‘s hardest-driving punk rock albums ever“.  

The powerhouse  that is their 7“ “Fleisch rollt“ remains my favourite German punk releases ever – hard, fast staccato‘ed and to the point.  

The second full-length “…Schön Geseh’n” adorned by Hieronymus Bosch artwork saw Blut + Eisen incarnate with a more refined and never not gripping lyrics. While it lacks the in-your-face powerful sound that Johns channeled his alchemy in for the first album and that Musiclab studios became known for, it shows the band retaining their DNA but offering a more varied and a welcome diverse delivery. Think the dissonance known from Birthday Party, a deliberate playful emphasis on breaks influenced by No Means No and an overarching approach that came to herald the new age of the second wave of SST Records, i.e. Husker Du and Sonic Youth.

T • May 4, 2021

More recent blogposts

Coheed and Cambria, Taking Back Sunday and Foxing

Posted by Mirela Z. • August 27, 2025

Coheed and Cambria, Taking Back Sunday, Foxing Budweiser Stage Toronto, Canada August 24, 2025 What a treat catching two great bands Taking Back Sunday and Coheed and Cambria co-headlining on their 2025 North American tour. Special guest Foxing, from St. Louis, Missouri, opened the night with a 30 minute set, weaving delicate melodies into explosive waves of emotion that filled … Read more

Chevelle – Bright as Blasphemy tour 2025

Posted by Mirela Z. • August 23, 2025

Chevelle @ Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, Canada August 20, 2025 That feeling, when you’re having the best experience ever, and you don’t want it to end! Chevelle delivered a powerful headlining performance marking a high-energy stop on their 38-date North American Bright as Blasphemy tour, with supporting acts Dead Poet Society and Asking Alexandria setting the stage. A wall … Read more

Less Than Jake Summer Circus @ RMA 8/1/25

Posted by Aaron H • August 6, 2025

Less Than Jake - Credit: AMH The circus is in town. Less Than Jake are currently on their Summer Circus Tour promoting their latest EP, Uncharted. They've brought along ska and punk legends Fishbone and The Suicide Machines and ska newcomers, Catbite. Together, they've melded a perfect mish-mash of bands suitable for all ages. Riverside was in for a good … Read more

The Hives @ Enmore Theatre

Posted by T • July 26, 2025

The Hives Enmore Theatre Sydney, Australia July 23, 2025 Let’s be clear: The Hives didn’t play a show. They detonated one. On a cool Sydney night at the Enmore Theatre, the Swedish kings of garage rock stormed the stage like tuxedoed insurgents, staging a velvet-clad coup d’état against anything remotely resembling restraint. It wasn’t a concert. It was controlled chaos … Read more

Gob @ Peterborough Music Festival

Posted by Mirela Z. • July 22, 2025

Gob @ Peterborough Music Festival Peterborough, Ontario, Canada July 19, 2025 Gob nailed their set, energizing both die‑hard and casual fans alike. The band’s punchy hooks and raw performance had the crowd bouncing throughout the 90‑minute set, delivering both nostalgia and vitality. A perfect addition to a summer night in Peterborough! All photos by @front.row.fans Read more

Murder City Devils/Animal Self @ GHCH 7/12/25

Posted by Aaron H • July 17, 2025

Murder City Devils - Credit: AMH The Murder City Devils don't get out much anymore, so when the opportunity presented itself, I made my way down to Pomona to catch one of the 2 shows they had lined up in California. They brought along Animal Self, which features Kareem Karam and Coady Willis from Murder City Devils as well as … Read more

Daryl Gussin - A Year In Submission

Posted by Jiffy Marx • July 16, 2025

Can't say my review of it will be as well written or entertaining as this book of 50 poems by Daryl Gussin. Daryl is the managing editor of Razorcake. Daryl was in an awesome punk band called God Equals Genocide. Daryl is my friend but also possibly my spirit animal. Part of me wonders if the leather jacket that Daryl … Read more

Tripping Daisy North American Tour 2025

Posted by Mirela Z. • July 13, 2025

Tripping Daisy @ Lee's Palace Toronto, Canada July 11, 2025 Tripping Daisy brought us back to 1995 and sounded better than ever! When the crowd sings along 30 years later there’s no better feeling! All photos by @front.row.fans Read more

Death from Above 1979

Posted by Mirela Z. • July 6, 2025

Death from Above 1979 @ SummerStage New York, USA July 2, 2025 Death from Above 1979 tore through SummerStage with pure, unfiltered energy. The Toronto duo delivered a thunderous set packed with fuzzed-out bass, pounding drums, and raw vocals that had the crowd thrashing from the first note. From classics like “Romantic Rights” to newer bangers, the band was tight, … Read more

Sum 41 @ Scotiabank Arena

Posted by Mirela Z. • June 19, 2025

Sum 41 final shows - day 1 of 2 Scotiabank Arena Toronto Canada Jan. 28, 2025 All photos by @front.row.fans   Read more