Eclectic, rebellious and memorable
In 1984, the multinational industrial metal band KMFDM was formed by frontman Sascha Konietzko in Hamburg, Germany. Since then, the band has seen its fair share of ups and downs. Before the group’s initial split in 1999, the band went through various lineups, with Konietzko left as the only remaining original member. Nonetheless, it was only a matter of time before the band revived itself in 2002. KMFDM’s current lineup consists of Sascha Konietzko, Lucia Cifarelli, Andy Selway, and Andee Blacksugar.
The blend of heavy metal guitar progressions, industrial techno harmonies and samplings, accompanied by male and female vocals, is the essence of the group’s sound, which comprise KMFDM’s various musical categorizations, such as industrial metal and industrial techno. Konietzko has expressed that many of the lyrics from their discography make statements rejecting “war, oppression, fascism, and violence against others.” KMFDM is the definition of a rebellious and unorthodox mindset. There is not much middle ground when it comes to the band’s lyrical and musical approaches; the public will either love it or hate it, memorable nonetheless.
Their album, HYËNA, was recently released to the general public on September 9, 2022, and the first word that comes to mind is eclectic. The album consists of 11 songs that are all vastly diverse in lyricism and sound, ranging from electro-industrial to riot grrrl to reggae. The album is 39 minutes of pure, unadulterated aural stimulus delivered on a silver platter.
The opening track, “ALL 4 1,” kicks off with a male and female duet scream-shouting on top of an amplifying electro-techno beat, combined with thunderous heavy-metal guitar progressions. It starts the album off with a “buckle your seatbelts and get ready for take off” type of energy. “ROCK ‘N’ ROLL MONSTER” follows up by demonstrating the earlier sounds of KMFDM through its heavy metal guitar riffs, drum patterns, techno rhythms and orchestral instruments. A few of the tracks follow a similar structure; however, songs like “ALL WRONG – BUT ALL RIGHT,” “BLINDFACE,” “DÉJÀ VU,” and “IN DUB WE TRUST,” are unparalleled in comparison with the other tracks.
The longest song on the album, “ALL WRONG – BUT ALL RIGHT,” falls under a hardcore synth punk genre that includes a lengthy distorted guitar solo layered on top of an electronic melody. The lyrics are a mix of Turkish and English and sound ethereal in an eerie way. Then, the album transitions into “BLINDFACE,” which gets in listeners’ faces right off the bat. The lead female vocalist emanates a riot grrl vibe, perfectly exemplified by the shouting of, “Give me your Franken-stare, while you salivate.”
The songs “DÉJÀ VU” and “IN DUB WE TRUST” are characterized by completely different genres. The use of sampling and sound effects are applied in diverse ways and are prominent throughout many of the tracks. However, the entirety of “DÉJÀ VU” is a combination of samplings of major political incidents and sound effects of cuckoos and yodels. It is a unique compilation of samples and sounds compared to KMFDM’s usual musical commentary on socio-political issues. The final track, “IN DUB WE TRUST,” adds a tranquil and optimistic conclusion to the album. The song gives off a unique reggae sound with its use of orchestral instruments and guitar riffs, which was an unexpected pleasure due to its lack of representation in KMFDM discography. The lyrical message provides a beacon of inspiration in hopes that people will enjoy their lives as the world is crumbling around them.
All of the songs on this blood-pumping, genre-bending album embody KMFDM’s musical approach to socio-political commentary and exemplify the eclectic sound the group has forged over the years, eternally making them one of the most unforgettable industrial bands of all time. HYËNA takes listeners on an aural journey through life’s ups and downs and calls for people to realize they remain in a world worth living.
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