by Dave Sleger

Subway to Sally's fourth album, Bannkreis, is their pinnacle recording. Sung in German and incorporating heavy metal as their foundation, Subway to Sally also includes generous citings of '70s progressive and art rock acts. The crunch of Brian May's guitar playing (circa 1973-1974), Jethro Tull's syncopated rhythms, and the violin style of Kansas' Robby Steinhardt are all present on this album but not in an obvious, mimicking fashion. Rather, they are subtly mixed into the metal base creating a unique alloy. Like Jethro Tull, great attention is given to the complimentary effect that acoustic instruments create in an otherwise hard rock environment; acoustic guitar, lute, drehleier (hurdy-gurdy), involved vocal harmonies, and, of course, the violin all contribute throughout this recording to provide the rich seasonings that have become as much of a trademark of Subway to Sally as their overt heavy metal leanings.