How did the Bottroper OPTIMIST and the alleged Krefelder JAPANISCHE KAMPFHÖRSPIELE get around time during the lockdown? Of course by recording new songs. Together they will release them in the form of the split 10“ FLAT EARTHERS BALL. Simultaneously it will be released on tape which will delight the tape-nerds of you. OPTIMIST OPTIMIST melodize with their own brutality the social upheaval which goes hand in hand with the current turning point. A total of three songs are presented whereby the final and all-destructive death roller "Rechtschaffender Hass" buries everything under itself what after the two frenzied grindattacks "Die Anderen" and "Erwachen" still hasn`t been beaten to his senses. Recorded by Tim Schlichting this contribution constitutes a further milestone in the band`s discography in terms of sound. JAPANISCHE KAMPFHÖRSPIELE The gift of the ADHS-like hyper focusing does not turn into problem as usual rather, age-wise, it comes to the assumptions and statements of the band: six of the eight tracks are short instrumentals, there are only two real songs. The two pieces with text ("Krieg der Pazifisten" und "Umwälzpumpe") are disturbing as usual. The six instrumental-miniatures, on the other hand, are captivating; here the gentlemen show a joy in playing and experimenting that has never been seen before, even for their own standarts. Apparently only scrap-ripe equipment was used for the recordings, althought it is thanks to the producer Ramon Smith that the material does not sound completely broken. (Bastardized Recordings)