Austrofred & Kurt Razelli

Two have found each other: the Alpine Mercury Austrofred, show star and enfant terrible, and the genius mash-up artist Kurt Razelli, dubbed the "Elisabeth Spira of the Internet" (Die Presse). Four years ago, their joint album "Life is laff" was released, "an album of flickering genius, like a backheel from Marko Arnautovic or a business idea from Frank Stronach," as it was described. And the album was loved. Click numbers in the hundreds of thousands for highlights like "Bottle" or the unofficial Upper Austrian state anthem "VÖEST" speak a clear language. Now the genius collaboration is entering its second round. Without repeating the successful formula, Sanfte Krieger is once again delivering a few Nu-Austropop hits that are a joy to behold: "Eisenstaung," "Westbahn," or "Ein Friend ging nach America" musically, lyrically, and emotionally encompass the entire spectrum that regional stadium pop is capable of: irresistibly bombastic and mentally grounded.

Musical collaborations often rely on compromises, and compromises often lead to mediocre works. Not here. Sanfte Krieger is 100% Austrofred plus 100% Kurt Razelli. Anyone who says that doesn’t add up mathematically should be reminded: Listen, don’t calculate!

Live in concert, the whole experience is naturally even more intense—no wonder with two such world-class professionals. It’s hard to believe that Austrofred was initially rather skeptical about collaborating. His own words: "I mean, I’m an alpha male; who are you going to put on stage with me? Is it worth sharing the fee? Really? But Razelli just sent me a few tracks via email, and there was an instant magic. Our styles complement each other perfectly at the right points, allowing each to shine."

"The combination of the two has enormous power because it is primarily a blast, but always has a foundation enriched with social criticism." — Bernhard Flieher, Salzburger Nachrichten

"This duo could easily go to the Song Contest!" — Stefan Weiss, Der Standard

"Together, they are doubly ridiculous!" — Andreas Rauschal, Wiener Zeitung