ATROCITY's 'Smalltown Boy' Single Lands On Deutsche Alternative Chart

Long-running German metallers ATROCITY have landed on the Deutsche Alternative chart (often referred to as DAC) with their cover of the BRONSKI BEAT hit "Smalltown Boy".

The Deutsche Alternative is the primary record chart for Germany's alternative music scene. The charts cover genres ranging nu metal to Britpop, from rock music to alternative electronic. Established in 1997, the DAC rankings are generated by a weekly poll of 350 representatively selected DJs and trend dealers.

In other news, the club single "Smalltown Boy" also "found its way into the Native 25 DJ chart on No. 18," the band writes in a press release. "The [new ATROCITY] album 'Werk 80 II' even found its place on No. 7 of the Native 25 DJ chart and a great entry on number 4 in the MRC 30 Metal and Rock DJ chart!"

ATROCITY recently shot a video for its cover version of the A-HA classic "The Sun Always Shines on TV" in an old castle near Berlin.

Commented vocalist Alex Krull: "The filming was very intense! We were shooting the whole night through without sleep and at icy temperatures. The castle doesn't have any more heating. But the atmosphere was even nicer then. On the one hand it was because of the visual impressions at that place, a real dark film location as it must be in a haunted castle. On the other hand, because it was a great thing working together with our new people Nick and Alla [drummer Nick Barker (ex-DIMMU BORGIR, CRADLE OF FILTH) and session bassist Alla Fedynitch (ex-PAIN, ENEMY OF THE SUN, EYES OF EDEN)]. All had great fun besides the endeavours we had!"

"The Sun Always Shines on TV" comes off ATROCITY's long-awaited new album, "Werk 80 II", which is scheduled for release in Europe on February 29 (March 4 in the U.S.). Like the first "Werk 80" release, which came out in 1997, "Werk 80 II" features ATROCITY's interpretations of hit songs from the '80s.

Asked why he chose to include "The Sun Always Shines on TV" on "Werk 80 II", Alex Krull stated, "It was clear that we will do a song from A-HA this time. It was the number one band from Norway, and so I probably would have a lot of trouble with Liv [Alex's wife Liv Kristine, who hails from Norway] if we ignored her countrymen! To be honest, the song just fits very well to us and our idea to make an ATROCITY song out of an '80s pop song. It was also a good choice for our cooperation with the orchestra and the choir. We just think about doing a videoclip for that song."

Asked if Kristine does guest vocals on "The Sun Always Shines On TV", Krull replied, "Yes, that's right. Liv is with us on 'The Sun Always Shines On TV'. It was kind of natural that she could join us on vocals for that song. On the first 'Werk 80' it was well-received that Liv was taking part on songs like 'Shout', and why shouldn't we do it again? She is doing some guest vocals on some songs, and I think we all had some fun recording it."

"Werk 80 II" track listing:

01. People Are People (DEPECHE MODE)
02. Smalltown Boy (BRONSKI BEAT)
03. Relax (FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD)
04. Don't You (Forget About Me) (SIMPLE MINDS)
05. The Sun Always Shines on TV (A-HA)
06. Hey Little Girl (ICEHOUSE)
07. Fade To Grey (VISAGE)
08. Such A Shame (TALK TALK)
09. Keine Heimat (IDEAL)
10. Here Comes The Rain Again (EURYTHMICS)
11. Forever Young (ALPHAVILLE)
12. Feels Like Heaven (FICTION FACTORY) (bonus track for special edition)

World-famous burlesque dancer and Marilyn Manson's former wife Dita Von Teese is the cover model on "Werk 80 II". Check out the cover at this location.