Human Zoo – Echoes Beyond

Human Zoo
Echoes Beyond
Label: Fastball Music / SPV
Out: June 14^th, 2024
Playing time: 45:50

The German Rock band Human Zoo from Balingen has been around for twenty years. Four albums have been released since then. However, the last output ‘My Own God’ was released eight years ago. So, it was about time again. Now the long wait has come to an end. After the single ‘Gun 4 A While’ was released in May, the fifth album ‘Echoes Beyond’ will follow in June.

Human Zoo really gets going with ‘Gun 4 A While’. Singer Thomas Seeburger shines right at the beginning with high Metal screams. And Ingolf Engler fires off a riff firework. The use of the saxophone is somewhat unusual. But Boris Matakovic contributes these tones very well to the sound. ‘In My Dreams’ is also dominated by riffs. Drummer Matthias Amman provides a proper rhythm. Thomas Seeburger shows that he not only has a powerful Rock voice, but he also masters the higher notes cleanly. The tempo picks up a little on ‘To The Ground’. The guitarist and drummer drive their bandmates on. There is also a catchy chorus that you can quickly sing along to. ‘Ghost In Me’ starts quietly with crowing and clean guitars. Later on, the song moves more in the mid-tempo range. A great anthem, like the ones you could hear from the big stadium Rock bands in the eighties. The Hammond also wobbles in the background. ‘Daddy You’re A Star’ is then a soulful ballad. Thomas Seeburger is initially accompanied only by a piano. Drums and guitar come in later. During the solo, the guitar literally seems to sing and is in friendly competition with the saxophone. Heartbreakingly beautiful. ‘Hello! Hello!’ starts with sirens wailing. Later you hear Classic Hard Rock. Also, ‘Echo’ is a fast, riff-driven Rock track, enhanced by another saxophone solo. And as often before, the chorus invites you to sing along. Why change the basic musical concept, the main thing is that the individual songs are varied, which is clearly demonstrated with ‘Heartache’. The next stadium anthem follows with ‘Forget About The Past’. ‘Waiting `Til The Dawn’ grooves and stomps quietly along. While the song title ‘Ready 2 Rock’ lives up to its name. Here the rocking starts really fast. The album ends quietly and ballad-like with the acoustic version of ‘Forget About The Past’. For the last time, you can enjoy a saxophone solo.

What do you need ‘Back to the Future’ for? Human Zoo take us on a musical journey back to the eighties. And with their permanently employed saxophone player, the band from Balingen has a unique selling point. I have to admit, when I read that in the line-up list, I couldn’t really imagine it. But as soon as I heard it for the first time, I realised that the saxophone fits in perfectly with Human Zoo’s sound. The songs are extremely varied, and each one has great hit potential. An outstanding album.

Human Zoo – Gun 4 A While: https://youtu.be/fFXiRZEeZIA?si=1Er88_kNYXoJ7mCf

Lineup:

Ralf Grespan – Bass
Matthias Amman –  Drums
Boris Matakovic – Saxophone
Ingolf Engler – Guitars
Zarko Mestrovic – Keyboards
Thomas Seeburger – Vocals

Track list:

• Gun 4 A While
• In My Dreams
• To The Ground
• Ghost In Me
• Daddy You’re A Star
• Hello! Hello!
• Echo
• Heartache
• Forget About The Past
• Waiting ‘Til The Dawn
• Ready 2 Rock
• Forget About The Past (Acoustic Version)