KMFDM

KMFDM is one of the few institutions (and pioneers, really) in industrial music. Founding member Sascha Konietzko has kept the “ultra-heavy beat” alive for well over two decades, weathering a multitude of lineup transformations that would make Optimus Prime blush…had he flesh…and blood vessels.

Tohuvabohu (good luck pronouncing that correctly!) is an eclectic addition to the KMFDM institution. There are six bloody languages (including English) on this album (that I know of). Six! I don’t even think I could find a Lingala translator if I tried—and the linguistic ciphers are just as consistent as genre mishmashes. Suffice it to say, Tohuvabohu has a fantastic hat collection.

The album opens with a funkadelic lampoon, skanks by epic rave anthems, shreds through head-bangin’ metal mosaics, struggles to breathe through suffocatingly sooty industrial clankers, and closes the curtains with a foreboding mountain. It covers a lot of terrain in fifty minutes. Yet always underlying the multitude of influences is KMFDM’s signature, genre-defining ultra-heavy beat, the familiar go-to when it comes to fan service; but I think KMFDM had more to gain by relaxing the reigns on old faithful. Granted, Tohuvabohu is well traveled as it is, but relying less on drum machines and investing in a few effects pedals would have only strengthened the album’s extensive influences.

Backpacking around the world is never dissatisfying; neither is Tohuvabohu. Though local colloquialisms can seem cheesy at first, and weariness inevitably sets in, and there were itineraries planned but missed, it’s always fulfilling, and is captivating enough to warrant repeat visits.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

01. Superpower
02. Looking For Strange
03. Tohuvabohu
04. I Am What I Am
05. Saft Und Kraft
06. Headcase
07. Los Ninos Del Parque
08. Not In My Name
09. Spit Or Swallow
10. Fait Accompli
11. Bumaye

Run Time: 51:09