Expulsion is my first experience with Northern German BUGEN HAGEN, but the band’s name was not entirely unfamiliar (and no, I am not referring to Carl Bugen Hagen, a significant character of the Omen Trilogy). BUGEN HAGEN were founded in Autumn 2000.
All band members have past experience: drummer Thorsten played in DEFORMED, guitarists Uwe and Ulf played in NECROBIOSIS and FIRESTORM respectively, whereas Jörg used to sing for BANISHED and bassist Günther Siemens worked for PISLIK (could be the name for a Pils beer, haha!).
The first release came out in April 2002, the MCD Unbag the Cudgel and one year after BH release the second opus Expulsion. The first seconds point at a characteristically late eighties/ early nineties sonority – early SEPULTURA was a fact, but so are SODOM and KREATOR. Songs are tendentiously movement-impelling: the rhythmic section is actually rather addicting, but after a few spins, not much seems to stay behind. I would say a little more confidence in the band’s potentialities and own sound might turn songs even more moving and interesting.
I cannot quite understand the concept of the cover – are these pharaoh mummies in disguise across the fog?… I guess it could be more directly related to the excerpts of newsflashes on conflicts in Palestine, the USA and so forth – a three-piece group of fundamentalist terrorists in black under a crimson sky.
On a final note, I have read somewhere that these Teutonic guys defend the execution of Sarah Connor (cheesy German female singer). If I have not misinterpreted the words, then I will subscribe to that! If you want a full live execution, just check the end of Horror Channel. Personally though, I must admit that the band’s preoccupation in personalizing the promotional pack made me look at them differently. I very much appreciate and support all efforts of unsigned bands who release CDs or MCDs independently – and that is a fact.
Myspace Hatework
Cover Bugen Hagen – Expulsion Front
Bugen Hagen – These Things must be nipped in the Bud