I last caught up with Hanzel und Gretyl fifteen years ago. Back then, I thought their industrial attack made them sound a bit like dinosaurs. Well, apart from incorporating some black metal elements (and some of the wonderful sledgehammer rhythms of Streetcleaner-era Godflesh), that's still true. And these songs are still a delight.

Hanzel und Gretyl Satanik Germanik (Metropolis)

Yes, Hanzel und Gretyl traffic in disturbing spaces. The weird Nazi fetish is still there (a somewhat recent album was titled Born to Be Heiled), but it's so silly (Born to Be Heiled?) that I don't understand how people take it seriously. In fact, I don't know why anyone would take the lyrics here seriously--if you can actually make them out at all.

The music, on the other hand, is a spectacular mashup of early 90s grindcore, industrial and metal. Grandiose and degenerative as all get out. Even small doses will sterilize roaches from a distance of 50 yards or more.

I first reviewed this duo 23 years ago, which means they must be somewhere around my age. We've all survived, which is an accomplishment. Hanzel und Gretyl are still making relevant music, which is even more incredible. I struggle to imagine a large audience for this album, but it shreds before it pulverizes. And that's more than good enough for me.

Jon Worley