First things first - Die Apokalyptischen Reiter appear to have sat down together and said “Let’s make an album that will confuse the reviewers when they are trying to categorise the genre in order to make meaningful comparisons”. It was obviously an idea that went down well.

Samurai is a musical kaleidoscope of genres, it twists and turns from German pop to black metal, and covers a great deal of the ground in-between the two (even including a laid back summer reggae style track). For those unfamiliar with the sound of Die Apokalyptischen Reiter, don’t be fooled into thinking “hmmm….metal…..hmmm German….hmmm Rammstein” as these Germans have developed an entirely unique sound, or in this case – several sounds.

The most surprising thing about Samurai, perhaps, is the fact that it actually does work. The alternating between both German and English vocals, and the strange collection and merging of genres is fun and interesting, whereas some bands may have just succeeded in recording something totally half-arsed that simply doesn’t flow.

The first few tracks on Samurai (particularly ‘Eruption’) contain the happy, poppy element that will have you tapping your foot and nodding your head, with riffs that may well get stuck in your head for days, but with just enough of the harsher vocals to be interesting.

First major change in sound comes from ‘Silence of Sorrow’ which sounds like it could possibly be quite at home on a melodic-death album (think ‘In Flames’ and their ilk). Without giving you time to adjust to this sound, following track ‘Der Teufel’ takes the album in an even heavier black-metal style direction (think Dimmu Borgir on acid).

The album calms down to a more melo-death style again for the anthemic ‘Reitermaniacs’ and sticks with this pace right until laid back summer reggae track (yes, really) Lazy Day. Whilst this, for me, would be the low point of the album, it’s still a nice inclusion, proving just how versatile this band can be. Thankfully the pace picks up again, briefly returns to a happy, catchy, pop realm for ‘Die Sonne Scheint’ before ‘Roll My Heart’ kicks in with it’s hearty, piratey vibe - providing an absolutely great start to the end of the album.

Just when you think you might know where the band are going next, the album then ends on a most unexpected relaxing ambient track, which really does sound like it could be an entirely different band altogether. So, if there is anyone out there who is still trying to decide which genre Die Apokalyptischen Reiter fit into, my advice is to give up now. It will only drive you insane trying to figure out the impossible. Just sit back and enjoy this somewhat zany, yet thoroughly enjoyable album.

Standout Tracks:  Silence of Sorrow, Der Teufel, Roll My Heart.

Overall Score:   8 /10