Tankard

No one said it would be easy being in a band like long-running German thrashers Tankard in 2012, but they're holding up quite well. Despite the predictable "hey, we're entitled to it," 20-minutes-too-long running time, this is a solid album. More Accept than Kreator, the band chug along at a fast clip that never quite goes into Teutonic thrash turf, instead becoming more trad metal, with memorable choruses, opener "Rapid Fire (A Tyrant's Elegy)," and lots of fun guitar work. The "drunk metal" novelty only extends to the lyrics, as the playing is rock-solid and way better than anyone generally recognizes, even this far into their career (30 years and counting). Who knows, maybe this album – their first on new home Nuclear Blast – will see the band receive a bit more respect. But then you look at that cover art and realize that won't happen. Bonus "I don't even want to know" points for having a song called "The Metal Lady Boy," with guest vocals from Doro Pesch.