+++ Review bei Metal Observer (8/10) +++

Admittedly, I surely am not a big friend of German language Rock music and most probably never will be. Ulm's newcomers PFEFFER though prove me wrong in my general mindframe, because I really like their debut "Gift". The opus does not offer any big novelties, but rather combines solid musicianship with emotions and aggression.
The influences, apart from the German lyrics, can mostly be found in America, so the private playlist of the members should contain well known bands like DEFTONES, FAITH NO MORE or INCUBUS. There also are a few slight connections to their countrymen of SUCH A SURGE, but with PFEFFER the influences from Rap and Hip Hop are a lot less obvious, or are even almost non-existent. But what is very pleasant is the fact that they do not try to dwell on stale clichés and concepts of bands like RAMMSTEIN, DIE HAPPY or GUANO APES. These in my opinion often overrated bands are ignored by PFEFFER and so they pull through their own thing, consequently, without thinking too much, if they could be successful only in Germany or also across the borders.

Lyrically they also try to stimulate the listener's brain cells, either pensive or critical, and have quite some success with that. "Luxus", "Euphorie", "Herbst" or "Schreien" are very good examples and are representative for the 12 tracks, which all have been crafted with a lot of passion and love for the details. "Gift" easily passes the average and basically is standing at the gates of the first division of modern and up-to-date Rock/Metal.

The beginning has been done and the omens look good for PFEFFER. Should they be able to continue to work on this level, they should not have big problems in the future. (Online November 7, 2002)

Alex E