ALBUM REVIEW: Stomper 98 – Stomper 98 (Pirates Press Records)
German oi! outfit Stomper 98 are perhaps best known for being one of the bands who Rancid’s Lars Fredriksen includes on his CV.
But they’ve been going far long than the six years that he’s been a member, formed – as their name suggests – all the way back in 1998.
Vocalist Sebi and sax player Holgi – how many oi bands can say they’ve got one of those? – are original members, while Tommi has been their long-time guitarist.
The quartet have acquired two new bandmates since their last outing, with bassist Silvio and drummer Stefan joining in 2020, and they’ve quickly slipped into gear.
This self-titled album is the band’s seventh, but their first since 2018’s Althergebracht, which was hailed as a modern Oi! classic and saw them enter the German charts for the first time.
In the meantime, Sebi has released his first English-language album with side project Plizzken (whose album is reviewed here), though he’s back to singing in his native German here.
Opening track Der Stachel Im Arsch, which translates as Sting In My Ass, sets off at a breakneck pace, with riffing guitars, driving bass and pummelling drums, and things barely let up over the 12 tracks which follow.
It’s over 40 years since I studied German, so I won’t pretend to try to understand what their songs are about, but they’re delivered with plenty of pride and passion.
Deutschland Im Chaos, 25 Jahre and Boots, Bier Und Bomberjacken need little explanation, even if you don’t sprechen Deutsch.
Over the course of 40+ minutes, Stomper 98 reinforce their reputation as modern Oi! legends, with an album of powerful streetpunk. 7/10.
- Stomper 98 is available from Pirates Press Records HERE on 12in black ice or black and silver galaxy vinyl.
