Customer Reviews

Armageddon

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This album spent weeks in the Top 20 alongside Radiohead. The world would be a better place if the US could catch up with Germany musically and see the merit in this band the way the Germans do.

This is leaps and bounds over the past Stromkern releases -- and I loved those as well. I listen to it constantly, and while Wolfsheim and VNV can bore me quickly with the monotonous vocals and sound-alike songs, Stromkern's Ned Kirby actually has some variety in his inflection, tone and style. It's incredible. This is easily one of my top 5 darkwave/EBM picks of the year. Get the limited edition while you can!

I really love this CD.

I used to listen to old "industrial" music many years ago, back when Wax Trax was the king of interesting music. The top selling bands at this time were Skinny Puppy, KMFDM, Ministry and Front 242...

Somewhere along the timeline, everybody started using their samplers to sample guitars instead of different obscure sounds and from 92-97 Guitar orientated sampler music reigned supreme. The focus was no longer on the melodies or the drumbeats, the focus was basically on how your chunka chunka guitar riffs sounded. I lost interest pretty fast in that, and started listening to hiphop and techno music instead...
The focus then turned back to the beats and basslines, with a newly incorporated techno theme. This was interesting for awhile, but then once again it became a bit dull.
Stromkern seems to take all of these aspects of music and puts them together into an agreeable whole.

The Armageddon CD has "catchy" songs you can hum along to, and wonderful lyrics. Ned also has strong lyrical message without being preachy or "in your face."

With this CD, Stromkern will surely gain the attention of the North America audience. It may take some time but I think Stromkern are upcoming "stars" in this scene.
Definitely worth checking out!

Stromkern is, without a doubt, a rising star in the American industrial genre. Blending heavy industrial beats with an almost hip-hop singing style and adding a haunting piano in several tracks, Stromkern creates a sound that is quite unique, and a nice change of pace from many of the techno and trance aspects that many newer industrial bands are incorporating into their sound. Armageddon is without a doubt the most attention-grabbing album from Stromkern yet. The first song immediatly grabs your attention and leads you into the rest of the album, changing style and mood multiple times during the first disc, thereby displaying the talent, versatility, and originality that Stromkern pocesses. The second disc is a nice showcase of not only a great song from Stromkern, but many of the bands they have worked with over the years.
If you're a fan of Stromkern and haven't heard this album yet, it's deffinently worth picking up. If you're new to Stromkern, then this double disc album is a great place to start. You won't be dissapointed.

If you like K0rn and Dokken then you'll hate this!

But if you like electro techno industrial stuff, you should check this disc out.

I'm not too good at reviewing music. I'd like to say that it's a musical journey into your subconsious, but I'd probably be wrong. At any rate, I've seen them play three times and own this CD.

As a friend of mine once said "(...) even if people like some of the more electronic (...) played on the radio they'd like [this]"

...well, more or less:)

Seriously, Stromkern's sound has been developed and refined over the last few albums to a beatcentric, hip-hop tinged electro monster that displays no signs of slowing down. I've been playing about 4 or 5 tracks off this(plus the incredible remix disc which came out in the first pressing) in the clubs I DJ at since it came out, and have watched EVERY club I've seen playlists from on the web do just the same. In short, this is a kickass album, blending styles and rhythms flawlessly, with emotive and passionate lyrics. And may I say [WOW] is it good to hear a band not pump out the same 4/4 [junk] for an entire album, yet remain highly dancable, and actually be able to PLAY LIVE! Seriously, I can't recommend it enough. Get this album NOW!

Fantastic CD - if possible I recommend you get the limited version, as Castaway is ne of the bests songs, imho, that stronkern have ever written, The sound is more polished on this album than previous efforts, although the raw intensity of previous classics such as Heretic remains. I would recommend this CD to anyone who is into EBM/synthpop/darkwave/ whatever else, as it is unlike any other band currently on the scene. The albumis fll of real 'chant songs', the best being Perfect sunrise!

This is Ned's latest and finest work to date. It's ironically foreshadowing of incidents that ocurred September 11th. Lyrically it's outstanding -- provocative and thoughtful, not bland and banal. I don't think I've ever heard an album with as many "big words" :) A great introduction to the band, too, if you've never heard Stromkern. As a musician far less worthy than Ned, I am in awe of his music. Technological marvels indeed! I highly recommend this album to the industrial/rave/techno audience.

"Armageddon" is Stromkern's third and best album. Its sound is somewhat experimental, combining industrial with a more hip-hoppy sound that, combined with Ned Kirby's loud and forceful vocals, is catchy and addictive.
There is nothing else that is quite like Stromkern and the sound that they have evolved into, yet this album is quite dance-floor happy, and anyone who likes industrial dance will enjoy it, especially tracks like Perfect Sunrise, No Release, and Night Riders.
Apocalyptic lyrics and great music and textures to back it up. This album has it all!

The guys in stromkern have spent alot of time defining their own sound.
it is incredibly unique in the genre that they play in
almost a punk band with fresh lyrics that are appropriate for our time as well as damn good synths exactly where they are needed... it brings electro industrial to a new level using guitars, actual drum kits, and killer vocals in order to bring a new sound into the genre and hopefully bring new listeners in.
i have seen these guys live in concert opening for FLA and they put on a great show
damn good album and its worth checking out

The music on this album is what got me into Stromkern. I suppose you have to have an open mind to like hip hopish electronic music, but this is what makes Stromkern unique and stand out from the rest. It's rather ignorant to call it "goth rap" as it is neither. I have a lot of favorites on this album, my only beef is how some of their songs get to be repetitive and redundant after a while as they extend the song out longer than it should be, ie. Night Riders (although don't get me wrong, I LOVE Night Riders!).. But check this album out if you are looking for something new, you won't be disappointed!