ATROCITY Covers DEPECHE MODE's 'People Are People'; Audio Available

Long-running German metallers ATROCITY have posted an audio sample of their cover version of the DEPECHE MODE classic "People Are People" at this location. The track comes off ATROCITY's long-awaited new album, "Werk 80 II", which is scheduled for release on February 29, 2008. 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 "People Are People" to record for "Werk 80 II", ATROCITY frontman Alex Krull stated, "We didn't have a song from DEPECHE MODE on the first 'Werk 80'. Besides the intention on 'Werk 80' not to include any metal or rock songs we also back then wanted only to put on songs from bands that didn't exist and split up. But in the meantime some bands are back again and reformed which is a trend obviously nowadays. You can see that inside the metal scene as well. So this time we didn't care if a band still exists or not and so we decided to put on a song from one of the most successful bands which is one of the best songs from DEPECHE MODE, in my opinion."

On the subject of ATROCITY's musical diversity, Krull said, "We see ourselves as artists which are finalizing own musical ideas in miscellaneous ways without limits but with infinite creativity. A good actor has to play different roles too, a successful script writer or director has to be able to put on a drama or a action-packed thriller too. I see a similarity between them and us as metal musicians who dare to look beyond one's own nose. We dare things that other bands wouldn't dare to. But we love musical challenges even if some people will never understand the philosophy of the band. We give a fuck, because we have our own visions how the band has to sound like. Artistic diversity is an enrichment and certainly not a flaw at all. A great example are the great classical composers and soundtrack writers who are able to produce new impressive works with a given concept which can be very diverted in an emotional and atmospheric level."

"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)

Fans will get a chance to preview the songs on "Werk 80 II" one track at a time every single day on ATROCITY's homepage beginning on January 1, 2008 and ending on the "Smalltown Boy" single's release date (January 11).

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

Commented Alex Krull: "We took a lot of time for the production to get the best result. All fans of the first 'Werk 80' will like the second one too. This time we have worked together with an orchestra and a choir. So the whole album has gained a bit more of a classical touch, which I personally like a lot. Everything sounds very harmonic and organic. The work on this album has been intense and thrilling. On the first 'Werk 80' album we also used classical elements but we enforced this on the new one. Thus the electronic parts got moved a little bit into the background. We didn't want to do the same on this successive album but including new elements and developing our style. I promise you 'Werk 80 II' is gonna be a class of its own worth waiting for it."

Watch ATROCITY's video for the song "Cold Black Days" (taken from the 2004 album "Atlantis"):