Heavy Metal Payback

Heavy Metal Payback, Bushido's second chart-topping album in a row, is typical of his recent major-label output, the preceding album 7 (2007) in particular. Like 7, Heavy Metal Payback opens strong and peaks after a buildup before dragging at times during its latter half. Also like 7, the album is often autobiographical and features primarily the production work of Beatlefield, a duo comprised of longtime Bushido affiliates Chakuza and DJ Stickle. Kicking off with "Gangsta," a triumphant call to arms that references onetime partner Fler, Heavy Metal Payback peaks seven tracks in with "4, 3, 2, 1 (Vielen Dank Aggro Berlin)," a hard-hitting Beatlefield production that references the label with which Bushido launched his career, Aggro Berlin. "Ching Ching," another hard-hitting Beatlefield production, follows "4, 3, 2, 1 (Vielen Dank Aggro Berlin)" and takes Heavy Metal Payback to further heights of intensity. The subsequent track, "Heavy Metal," maintains the mood of menace for another few minutes before Heavy Metal Payback takes a turn toward lighter material with "Ich Hoffe, Es Geht Dir Gut" and "Bonnie und Clyde," collaborations with Bizzy Montana and Cassandra Steen, respectively. The lighter material continues with "Jenny" and "Für Immer Jung," the latter featuring a memorable chorus sung by 69-year-old living legend Karel Gott. While typical of Bushido's recent major-label output, Heavy Metal Payback is an impressive album, yet another in a series of impressive albums by Germany's top rapper, and offers German rap fans plenty to consider, particularly the long-running Aggro Berlin rivalry.