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By: NEGATIVE
In 1999, the 15 year anniversary of KMFDM was marked by front-man Sascha Konietzko's decision to sever ties with label TVT Records, thus ending the band's existence.Konietzko, seeking a fresh start in the music industry, joined together with KMFDM partner Tim Skold and newcomer Lucia Cifarelli, to form a new venture in Industrial Metal. Named MDFMK, and armed with a mechanical guitar playing robot, the alter ego monichar of KMFDM set out into the dark abyss of major label mis-promotion. Under Universal Records, MDFMK produced a ground breaking record by far succeeding all previous KMFDM releases, only to see a low CD sale return and poor ticket sales for their tour. In 2001, in hopes of returning to the roots that made music production fun, Konietzko amicably severed ties with Universal Records, signed a new deal with Industrial Metal giant, Metropolis Records, and began a quest for a KMFDM reunion.
By January of 2002, the reunification of KMFDM became
a reality with the release of their first release in 3 years, BOOTS.
Minus co-founders En Esch and Gunter Schultz (now collaborating as Slick
Idiot), and with the addition of Lucia Ciffarelli, KMFDM was prepared
to start a new chapter in the bands career.
BOOTS
Boots was released as a teaser to the new album ATTAK, It contained 2 unique tracks, "Back in the U.S.S.A.", as well as a cover of the Artwoods "These Boots are Made for Walking". While hoping to offer up KMFDM fans a taste of their new sounds, I felt that the BOOTS left a stale taste in my mouth, doubtful of what was yet to come. "These Boots are Made for Walking" proved to be the story of a typical KMFDM cover... a sarcastic, industrial, no shame, interpretation of a classic... something that was common to KMFDM's almost comical yet revolutionary feelings towards the music industry. It felt like KMFDM had returned to it's original roots, and that the last 6 years of Evolution and Growth for the band deemed fruitless. It seemed that all plans for an awe-inspiring return would be lost in mediocre, cheesey, "not for public audible consumption", anti-music industry political anthems. "Back in the U.S.S.A." Supported my theory with it's forceful stadium-like chant, and it's "fist in the air" drimming. The anticipation for new KMFDM material became less enthusiastic.
But where Boots failed in delivering the goods, I as a longtime follower KMFDM fan, failed to put any trust towards the musical genius of Sascha Konietzko.
ATTACK
Unlike Boots, ATTAK proved to be what true KMFDM fans expected from the band's first release in 3 years. ATTAK is without a doubt a refreshing, dark, gritty, and evolved Industrial/Electro infusion of pulse pounding beats and razor sharp lyrics... Exactly what Sascha Konietzko promised his fans, and nothing less. With the return of Original Lead Singer Raymond Watts (PIG), lending his vocals to several track, ATTAK proved to be at times darker and grittier than prior albums such as NIHIL and XTORT. While Raymond Watt's vocals on "Dirty" may make it seem like you're listening to a PIG album instead, the song succeeds and emerges as a new anthem for KMFDM. "Just One Call will Cure it all..." Watts proclaims as the future is in the hands of those of us still willing to get our hands dirty.
The opening track from the album, ATTAK/RELOAD
is introduced to the listener with a small lead in from "Back
in the U.S.S.A." As the albums first single, with a planned
video release to support it, Sascha and Lucia chime in with an industrial
ballad shadowing today's world politics as well as the bands new outlook
on their career. KMFDM has a whole has always been known for it's "out
in the open" approach to metaphor world problems and situations
in it's lyrics, and the lyrics on ATTAK prove no different.
Tim Skold continues to contribute his vocal and drum programming which
made MDFMK and the KMFDM's last two albums, Addios and
KMFDM unique pieces of Goth infused Industrial Metal.
"Save Me" and "Skurk"
testify to Tim Skold's melodic and yet cold piercing lyrics that were
first introduce in the bands 1997 self-titled release. Skold's vocals
took center stage with the MDFMK project, but even though he his limited
to a handful of tracks on the album, his influence can be recognized
over the full length of the album.
KMFDM reintroduces it's Hip-Hop-Derived Beats with "Yohoho", while creating techno infused jungle beats in "Superhero", and all along adding a taste of mid-90's vintage KMFDM Goth/Death/Dance/Metal style music. The true Hidden Gem on ATTAK however is the Lucia Cifarelli track, Sleep. "Two feet away, there's trouble closing in on you." Lucia proclaims as she leeds up to the jungle injected refrain. "...Close my heavy eyes now, give me sleep... I travel Troubled Oceans Across the Land and Sea."
ATTAK is by far worthy of being called one of the bands best releases to date. If Sascha Konietzko and KMFDM whish to still achieve the status that was hoped for with the MDFMK project, they should have no problem attaining it with this album. I look forward to the bands scheduled summer tour with Rammstein. It'll be interesting to see who will join them on the tour as it is almost certain that Skold, Watts, Lucia, and Sascha will be the headlining cast on stage. Look forward, 2002/2003 should also be a busy time for band members as several side projects seem to be on the slate. Sascha has announced plans for the new Excessive Force album. A new PIG album is also in the works, and solo projects from Lucia Cifarelli and Tim Skold should be released soon as well.
TRACK LISTING:
BOOTS -
1. These Boots Are Made for Walkin'
2. These Boots Are Made for Walkin' (REMIX 1)
3. These Boots Are Made for Walkin' (REMIX 2)
4. Back in the U.S.S.A.
ATTAK -
1. Attak / Reload
2. Skurk
3. Dirty
4. Urban Monkey Warfare
5. Save Me
6. Yohoho
7. Superhero
8. SturmandDrang
9. Preach / Pervert
10. Risen
11. Sleep
OFFICIAL
WEBSITE:
Mondanti Records - http://www./kmfdm.com
