Waterdown

In 2000, Waterdown formed in Osnabruck, Germany, dedicated to finding the perfect mixture of explosive, TNT-fueled hardcore, dark metal and melodic punk. It didn’t take them long. Within their first few shows word reached Victory Records head Tony Brummel, who began a correspondence with the band and shortly thereafter signed them to a contract. It isn’t often that an American label jumps to sign a European band without so much as a U.S. tour under their belts - what made Waterdown so special? T... (more)

In 2000, Waterdown formed in Osnabruck, Germany, dedicated to finding the perfect mixture of explosive, TNT-fueled hardcore, dark metal and melodic punk. It didn’t take them long. Within their first few shows word reached Victory Records head Tony Brummel, who began a correspondence with the band and shortly thereafter signed them to a contract. It isn’t often that an American label jumps to sign a European band without so much as a U.S. tour under their belts - what made Waterdown so special? Their original sound has elements familiar to any fan of punk genres, but the individuality is unmistakable. Blasting walls of metallic guitars and screamo ferocity slam up against hooky melodicism and ambitious time signatures, melding together into an emotive sub-genre that is Waterdown’s alone. The six-piece band has two singers delivering wildly divergent vocals, one screaming in rage while the second’s soaring melodies tie them both to the bands crushing breakdowns and unique dynamics. The release of their Victory debut, Never Kill The Boy On The First Date, brought critical notice, with praise coming in from press on both sides of the Atlantic. Waterdown headed for America, playing dates with Thursday and Skycamefalling, turning in jaw dropping, intense live shows that further sealed their reputation. After extensive European touring with bands like Jimmy Eat World and Sick of It All, they released The Files You Have On Me. It was greeted by praise from heavyweights like Revolver, who said “One minute, the German group sounds like a gasoline truck colliding with a national monument; the next, they go fuzzy and textural, forsaking volume for tuneful dynamics.” The legendary radio trade mag Radio & Records were thrilled, raving, “For fans of American bands like Deftones and the late, great Quicksand, achtung! Germany has now produced its own entry…Waterdown.” Serious touring ensued in support of this acclaimed new release, with Waterdown sharing stages with a diverse set of bands including Blink 182, Motion City Soundtrack and Anthrax in Europe. Only a band with the flexibility to willfully bend genres could pull off their touring schedule, but a listen to Waterdown will quickly dispel any doubts that they are up to the task. In 2004, Waterdown lost one of their vocalists, but continued to write and perform, cementing their reputation for optimism and determination. 2005 dawned with the search for a singer continuing, until they discovered Michael “Zacken” Janczak in their backyard. Bassist Christian Kruse remembers, “For about ten years we saw him at shows and said hi, but we never knew he was THAT good. We called and asked him to rehearse with us, and later he told us he almost passed out from nerves because he is such a fan of the band!” With the addition complete, the band released All Riot that year.