The end of the 2010s was a bountiful time for fans. In addition to another set from guitarist 's side project, the industrial metal titans returned with their first album in a decade. All the while, frontman was busy working on his own artistic endeavors, teaming with co-conspirator on 2018's modern stage adaptation of Hansel und Gretel. Songs from the appropriately dark and perverse retelling later found new life on 's sophomore effort, ("Frau & Mann," German for woman and man). As on 2015's , allows both men to spread their wings away from their main duties with and . However, unlike that shock-hungry and often absurd debut, balances the twisted camp that is especially known for and infuses it with emotional heft. Part of the appeal this time around might owe to the fact that is in his natural element, performing and writing lyrics in his native German. Thus, the songs sound less forced and campy, while the lyrics benefit from his underrated poetry ( ' "Yukon" and "Home Sweet Home" were just hints at what was to come). The most compelling of the bunch happen to come from Hansel und Gretel. These highlights include the pounding "Allesfresser" ("Omnivore"), the explosive "Knebel" ("Gag"), and the beautiful "Schlaf Ein" ("Go to Sleep"). Both theatrical and emotive, the tracks blend seamlessly with the songs written for the album, injecting atmospheric dread, touches of drama, and a depth that just wasn't found on . For the fans, the non-Hansel und Gretel songs are familiar enough to pretend they are lost B-sides (the pulsing industrial-disco "Platz Eins" takes it all the way back to the synth-washed glory of ), though puts enough of his own wild spin on the production to separate this material from that of its much bigger cousin. The riotous title track -- which rides the repeated cries of "aye-ya-yay!" -- and the slinky tango of "Ach So Gern" ("Oh So Much") provide an interesting mid-stretch distraction, but overall, sticks to what do best: crushing riffs and towering theatrics with a wink and a smirk. Taking the initial promise of such a musical union, the duo's collaboration finally pays off with . ~ Neil Z. Yeung