Stinger is a hard rock band from Germany formed in 2016 releasing their debut album ‘Disadvantaged’ the following year. The band’s sophomore album ‘Colourblind’ emerged in 2019, with the third album ‘Expect The Unexpected’ a 2022 release.
Germany is very well known for its power, thrash, and traditional heavy metal roots – however, there is a five-piece band from Allersberg that has chosen not to follow the country’s incredible legacy – Stinger, has opted for the hard rock direction, producing an infectious and catchy old school glam/sleaze rock sound. ‘Expect The Unexpected’ features twelve hard-hitting songs over forty-two minutes – encapsulating the iconic sound of the legendary AC/DC boogie.
The album comes to life with ‘Diggin’ Up The Dirt’ – a lively and up-tempo slice of foot-tapping hard rock ‘n’ roll. And while the band’s sound may feature a resemblance to (the aforementioned) AC/DC, Stinger‘s lead singer Martin Schaffrath is neither a Bon Scott or Brian Johnson clone! He has his own style and sound. ‘Chasing Utopia’ – featuring Mr. Big bass player Billy Sheehan – is just as lively as the album opener.
If anything, it is harder hitting and more punchy – the band varying their style across the opening two songs. And the guitar solo is not to be missed either! Slowing down and bringing forth a touch of blues-rock ala ZZ Top, ‘Monkey’ is a slow rock swagger. Plodding along rather than skipping, ‘Monkey’ removes a little of the shine that glowed from the albums opening double. However, ‘Highfalutin’ instantly returns the glow with an insanely addictive rhythm and its wonderful chant-style chorus. I tell ya – feet will be tapping energetically to this one.
Moving into the realms of old-school glam rock, ‘Glory And Pride’ emits a Kiss flavor, as it struts its stuff. And I get the feeling that Stinger may prefer a sound from the past rather than the present – or indeed the future! Fans of seventies rock such as (the previously mentioned) AC/DC, ZZ Top, Kiss and even Aerosmith will lap ‘Expect The Unexpected’ up. Fans of modern rock – not so much. The band returns to the plodding blues-rock of earlier with ‘Down At The Water Below’ – lacking any of the liveliness featured at the albums beginning, with a fear that Stinger may be aiming for a kinda doom rock sound. However, ‘Roller Coaster’ injects a much-needed energy boost, along with a sing-a-long style chorus that is gonna get an audience moving. The momentum the band picked up with ‘Roller Coaster’ is maintained through ‘No More’ – albeit a tad more bluntly. The bluntness you associate more with British hard rock!
Think about the earlier days of Whitesnake, and you’ll get some idea of what I mean.
And with the title of ‘Hallelujah’, my expectations are of an up-tempo, energetic sing-a-long. Sadly that is not the case here! The band resumed their plodding rock style – feet still tapping but not to the extent that the ground will shake.
After hearing the band’s first single ‘Diggin’ Up The Dirt’ I had high hopes for an energetic and lively listening experience – and while there are moments of high energy and liveliness, ‘Expect The Unexpected’ hasn’t quite lived up to my high hopes. Although ‘Son Of A Gun’ does do its best to change my view – rattling along at a high tempo and a rhythm that’ll nod heads fairly fast. In a rare moment of energetic fizz, Stinger resumes their plodding path with ‘Not My Part’, dripping with blues-based hard rock. And it’s not without a little sense of relief that we arrive at the final song, the attitudinally titled ‘Two Words One Finger’. One of the more up-tempo songs on offer, the band close their third full length as it began – with a lively slice of hard rock ‘n’ roll.
Overall, a plodding album of seventies-flavored glam and blues rock.
TRACKLIST
Diggin’ Up The Dirt
Chasing Utopia (feat. Billy Sheehan)
Monkey
Highfalutin’
Glory And Pride
Down At The Water Below
Roller Coaster
No More
Hallelujah
Son Of A Gun
Not My Part
Two Words One Finger
Stinger: Facebook
Release Year: 2022
Label: ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records
Category: Album
Country: Germany
Reviewed by Iron Mathew for Frenzy Fire, and Metal-Roos.
