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Berri Txarrak

Jaio.Musika.Hil (2005)
International News

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Hein
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on December 11th 2005

Berri Txarrak is a Spanish band, although they obviously prefer to be referred to as a Basque band. Unfortunately, they sing in their native language called "Euskera" and I'm still awaiting their promised translation, so I can't really tell for sure what they sing about, but I'm pretty sure they support the independency struggle of the Basque "country" which has been subject of violent disputes and bombings of the ETA for the last decennia in Spain.

The band has existed since 1994, and this is their 5th album already. Although pretty unknown in our areas, the band's previous release featured guest vocals from Tim of Rise Against, and this new album was mixed by no other than Ed Rose.

The language thing is at the same time one of the positive aspects of this album, because it makes this music unique and interesting. It's simply a refreshing thing to hear non-English lyrics, and it fits perfectly with this music, as I always had with the Italian language as well.

The music is a mixture of alternative rock, punk, hardcore, metal and some amazing melodies. Band-wise, I think a mixture of Burning Heads and Helmet would be a good description. It has easier melodic parts mixed with full-throttle metal guitars, and very fast drumming and a distinctive European-only edge. "Berba Eta Irudia" is the perfect example of this eager and speed with a guitar that rips like Helmet and vocals that in the chorus show some of that more punk-directed injection. "Ippara Caldu: Hecora Joan" is another magnificent song that is somewhat more laid back, but has these beautiful powerful guitar chords all through and a nice sliding guitar in nice balance with pounding drums a few times in this song. Title track "Jaio.Musika.Hil" is of another calibre again, with a more emotional approach, but with a chorus that is again a marvel of guitar-fused energy.

A little let-down for me was the very loud recording of the bass and lower tunes, which makes it sound a bit over-the-top at times. I guess the sound people tried a bit too much to integrate the energetic tension that this music is definitely offering. I'm definitely looking forward to see them when they tour Europe in the near future.

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hein (January 2, 2006)

"i went over to their myspace site and listened to the stuff and it totally rocks! my question is how can i get a hold of this album? the record label isn't selling it and i'm wondering if they have any distribution over here in the states. those with knowledge please enlighten."

Just mail me your address and I'll see if I can get a hold of the guys who sent me this album".

Anonymous (December 16, 2005)

I think that this affirmation its not true. People without mind like the racists are in everywhere, not mostly in places like the Basque Country. I think that in Catalonia and in Basque Country there are lots of people that agree with the cause against racism, and I think that is the same people with a free ideology and in the left side of politics.
FREEDOM for BASQUE COUNTRY & CATALONIA

Anonymous (December 14, 2005)

E-150 and HHH are two insane spanish punk bands, check them out. Also check out the mighty Sin Dios and FNDX.

letschorock (December 13, 2005)

i went over to their myspace site and listened to the stuff and it totally rocks! my question is how can i get a hold of this album? the record label isn't selling it and i'm wondering if they have any distribution over here in the states. those with knowledge please enlighten.

Anonymous (December 13, 2005)

By the way, trying to focus on what matters; I haven´t heard this yet, but their prior release was a real fun listen for any melodicore (sorry for labelling!!) fan. The song with Tim is incredible, and it´s memorable hearing him sing some lines in the basque language.

Anonymous (December 12, 2005)

i think some people associates not wanting to be a part of Spain with being racist to spanish people, needless to say that its not true. It's just that nobody asked us if we wanted to be spanish.

Freedom for Catalonia and Basque Country.

thirtyseconds (December 12, 2005)

Guy below, yeah I apologise I don't know what the relevance of that comment was. Really dumb of me to say so. Although I do believe it's true based on what I've read. My apologies.

Anonymous (December 12, 2005)

That previous thing about racism is just out of place. And out of any healthy mind that has spent there a second.

thirtyseconds (December 12, 2005)

Interesting. The Basque region is so passionate for the cause, yet at the same time is apparantley one of the most racist sections of Europe...