SIX is simply no longer an integral part of the German rock scene and there now also an integral part. The band - matured and changed personnel - has, again further away from the former cover band, they used to be. For Uwe Fischer on guitar came Stefan Henning, since September 2013 now belongs Frank Engelmann this place in the band. Jürgen Schötz sparked 2012 Michael Merkert from the drums. Meanwhile denied the five musicians in the new line already complete concerts with their own songs and had to think about which song must leave them outside in front of their vast wealth. They present at their concerts but still current and classic international titles, while always offer a great, unusual stage show and thus inspire their many fans at the well-attended concerts. Whereas previously the own songs only installed between the tracks by other artists and bands in the set list, they are now the main part of the concert and thus always start SIX with their powerful, energetic and soulful German songs. In the texts plaintext is always talked, topics and contents are true to life in the middle. The songs are well received, the texts knows by heart and they are sung at the concerts of the fans loudly. The diary of the band is well filled with concert dates in Germany and the reactions to the first live featured songs of the new CD were positive throughout.
Three sets I want to preface before I want to say something about design and the songs of the CD. After the first few notes of the new CD you know immediately it is SIX. The typical SIX sound is to hear immediately. The cover and the overall design of "Burned Children" act like a chronological continuation of the previous CDs. The album as a whole is rockier and harder, catchy guarantees in some songs are not excluded. SIX took this CD during the period from December 2013 to February 2014 in the "mid-Studios" in Köthener Strasse 38 in Berlin. It was produced by Simon and Robert Allert glasses. In the studio were Stefan Crow (vocals), Robert glasses (bass vocals), Frank Engelmann (guitar), Andreas Ernie Giersch on keyboards and Jürgen Schötz on drums. Guest musicians acted Jörg Weisselberg (guitars), Steffen Klämbt (keyboards), Stefan Henning (piano) and Ryan Hoyle (Drums). The cover and booklet is again held in high contrast black / white, only the band's name, the names of the songs and the musicians appear in a bright red. Both were designed with expressive pictures of Lutz Müller-Bohlen. On each double page in the booklet a musician is presented with great pictures, nestled between the texts of each song. Visually this CD is very effective and jumps designed by thanking the title photos immediately apparent.
But now to the 12 songs that can be heard on this new CD. The texts - often developed in collaboration - are from Andreas Szameit, Steffen Klämbt, Robert glasses, Peter Franke, John Göckeritz, Stefan Henning Stefan Crow and Thielmann. One notices immediately there was a great team at work. Just as it is with the compositions. With Robert glasses, Stefan Crow, Steffen Klämbt and Stefan Henning several people have got the notes.
It starts with "age", equal to a very rocking song at the beginning. Starting with a slightly oriental touch he is Stefan's harsh voice and the guitar immediately very rocky, with soulful incorporated moments. In the text it comes to enjoy life, because it is running out too fast.
The song "My heart, my blood, my flesh" gentler tones are sung, if one can ever say on this CD. In this song, the piano dominates over long distances. Lyrically the old theme of love is taken, only in other words, as one would expect.
The third song is also the theme song called "Burned Children". Again, only the piano begins quietly before the hard bass and drums set the pace at which the guitars join in the chorus. The text is all powerful, it comes to hopelessness and disappointment in our world.
What was now to be expected almost, is also the next song, "A man is a word" again with the piano, before the song its sonority obtained by the remaining instruments. In the text, it comes easily to speak plain language and not to remain silent out of cowardice. In the middle part, the powerful guitars are very horny, before the piano again decides the song.
Since the piano holds a very special part in this CD, also called "My wild heart" begins with the piano and it remains consistently a soulful song with acoustic guitar, which replaced in the second half of the electric guitar with a great solo is, and therefore it developed into a sometimes very hard song. This song has a great melody and lives by changing the Soulful with the harder chords.
From the song "Song for a Friend", the piano is more likely in the background. Now determine the guitars throughout the musical part. The song has a catchy melody and describes the expectations of a friendship.
The seventh and eighth song on this CD I just want to think together, as it simply are the strongest titles of this disc for my taste. It is the hardest and most powerful song on this CD: "harder" and "XXL" are simply great. In these two songs by the strength and the musicianship of SIX come into their own. With these pieces you will not only make while listening to the CD for mood! The guitars and keyboards just come here with such force and harshness over ... it's absolutely amazing! For Stefan's voice these songs are more than suitable. Here he can fully let out "the pig", the chorus in the play "XXL", which is called "I need it loud. I need it fast. I want everything in XXL ...", he screams out from itself , Incidentally, this is an ideal song to drive a car! Since it can not just sit quietly in his chair one, you will literally swept away. This tension, just the title song and the songs just mentioned, sees the band over the entire CD to keep. Although the energy drop at "Leb 'your dreams" is unmistakable, one feels also here: SIX ensures no gap filler but provides only "A-side" from.
Three songs have the CD but have to offer and "Just go home" has what a catchy needs, even if the text may not offer so many exciting things.
"Too little to live" is again equipped with a very profound text. Too little to live and still have the will to stand up again. This is another song that will leave your ears not so fast.
During the last song, "winner of the light" I had to think "in Red Blues" from the first chords, but shortly thereafter began again the entire SIX combustion engine, and it truly is a song in which once again many of the features already described the CD will find. Great text, great bass Robert, hot guitar solos, Stefan once again full steam vor'm micro.
As with the last CD I can only repeat myself: The texts plätschern not there, do not just scratch the surface, but dig a deep and full of claim. The album makes a general impression of a closed oeuvre. The items are well-arranged, well-blended and perfectly produced. Although each track sounds like SIX, but many new musical facets are infinite to discover on this disc. It's an album with five potential hit songs and a work of musicians who know their job very well. I think this CD sold to the fans of its own accord and who are not yet on the shelves SIX, that should make up with "Burned Children", because now it's about time to have become infected by the virus SIX!
(Dietmar Meixner)