Customer Reviews

Survivor

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Funker Vogt's newest release into the world of EBM music, Survivor, is a bit of a change for them in some ways while still being stapled with quite a few undercurrents they are known for. In many ways it reflects the transformations their music underwent after the release of Machine Zeit and its subsuquent EPs, becoming more machine-oriented and drifting into a technotronic ensemble of sounds, but it harbors something that is a bit more brooding and gloomy within it that the last releases lacked. Added to this change are also rifts in the normal array of messages that, while still focused primarily on war and the bloody aspects of this portion of the human condition, seems a bit on the darker side. In a strange sense this aspect opened up a more primitive side within a more refined approach to their works, one that took me a few tries to grow accustomed to as the lyrical crown that the songs so aptly wear sank into my mind. Still, after about the fourth excursion into this brave new world, I was instantly addicted to the wonders that were provided after their lengthy hiatus.

Another oddity I noted within this new release was the abundant use of melody within their songs; a stark contrast to the cries of angst when they first shouted their angry tempo into the musical breech. This gave many of the songs a beautiful composition to interact with the gruff exterior presented within the vocal aspects of the song, adding a contrast that worked and providing something akin to ballads in a few instances.

For those that haunt the hallways of Metropolis, this should be something likable. For those looking for something new to listen to or something that expresses the harsh realities of humanity and their struggles against one another, Funker Vogt's antiwar machine might be a venue that you can find enjoyable. There are many places where you can find this out, including some available snippets here and some on Metropolis as well.

Survivor is Funker Vogt's first full length release in two years and it was about time. Over the last couple of years we had only heard remixes and other limited releases from the band, and all the fans always wanted more.

Survivor really is a different sound for Funker Vogt, although they intended to stay to their original roots, hence the cd name Survivor. The sound is definately different, it is closest to Maschine Zeit but still is a different sound and far from Execution Tracks. This is their first release where they actually use electric guitars and I really like how they use them, note: they're used in "Compulsions" and "Red Queen". In the past they have always been known for songs about war particularily, although they still do this, they also have songs that are more emotion based as well.

Funker Vogt really is my favorite band, but this is their first release where I actually enjoy listening to every song on the cd. I particularily enjoy "History", "Compulsions", and "Faster Life". "Date of Expiration" is also very good but we heard this song, or a version of it, on the Date of Expiration single release so it wasn't anything new.

Overall, I would have to say that this is their best release yet. I would give it a 4.5 out of 5.

Funkervogt's new album, Survivor, continues their legacy as one of the best electronic industrial bands ever to hit the scene. While some of the later songs in the album seem to lack the inspiration that was present in Maschine Zeit and Execution Tracks, it still packs plenty of high energy soon-to-be club hits. Hightlights include This World, History, Final Thrill, and a couple of tracks with excellent use of electric guitar like Fallen Man and Red Queen. Now some fans have become disappointed in Funkervogt's decision to water down the distortion in their vocals. I, too was skeptical at first...but now I kind of like being able to hear the lyrics (at least it's a deviation from the staticy vocals heard on their first album, Thanks For Nothing). If you listened to the new tracks on the T double disc set, you have a good idea of how the lyrics sound here. Most songs on Suvivor stick with the theme of war and politics, but there are a few that harken back to their older albums with themes of their personal life, ect. With many industrial/ebm bands now diluting into synthpop, it's great to see a band like Funkervogt sticking to their roots and still putting out aggressive material. Whether you are a long-time fan or an electronic industrial newbie, Survivor is a great album to add to your collection.

Funker Vogt really left an impression with me with Survivor, as both a fan of industrial music and a DJ I find Survivor to be by far their best release. The quality and production on Survivor is by far better than any previous Funker Vogt release as well, overall a incredible electronic industrial type masterpiece. As a DJ you will find the following tracks to pack your dance floor:

This World (my personal favorite)
Final Thrill
Date of Expiration
Prisoners of War

I highly recommend this release for fans of ebm & industrial as well as DJ's.

This album trumps all of Funker Vogt's other efforts... including the most recent albums, Navigator and Aviator, which are quite good. With the release of Survivor, FV began their line of albums ending in -or, which all have a similar, characteristic sound. Starting here, FV became less of stompy nonsense and more of trance-influenced excellence. Maybe a little less hard than some earlier fans would like, however, personally,
I believe this is their pinnacle.

Date of Expiration: 5/5 Sounds a bit soft to some people, but great feeling and the intro here is just amazing. It builds so much tension.
This World: 5/5 Very trance-y from the beginning. Could be a good dance track.

History: 5/5 One of the best tracks they ever put out. The remix on Revivor is even better, but this is what originated it.

Obscure Pictures: 3/5 Can't figure this one out as much, maybe because it's not as dancey. Beat is a little strange, but it still has that great creepiness. When the counter-melody synth comes in the middle of the song, it gets a lot better.

Compulsions: 5/5 Really cool and different. The rhythm here is really great, it keeps such a slow, creepy pounding. Love it.

Prisoners of War: 5/5 Another one of the best ever. This song is emotional and sad, a little softer, like Date of Expiration.

Final Thrill: 5/5 Great upbeat dance track, a classic. Pounding, relentless. Great synths.

Fallen Man: 3/5 Slower, and a bit of a letdown after Final Thrill. A tempo change is good, though, and this has the hardest drums on the album. Hard is always good.

Stolen Thoughts: 4/5 Really hard beat, and nice creepy synths in the background.

Lügner: 5/5, but I would give it 6/5. Bonus for being in German, and some of the best vocals ever. Has some really great remixes on Revivor. This one had to grow on me, but now I realize it's amazing.

Faster Life: 5/5, another overlooked masterpiece. This song literally feels like you're moving somewhere fast.. great for listening in the car or on a subway.

Red Queen: 5/5 When FV decides to do a really slow song, they always do it well, like Für Dich, Nuclear Winter, Seelenwanderung, or this. Best part is the instrumental change halfway through.

Refugees: 2/5 I'll be honest-- this one bores me a bit. Nothing special.


This is an album of Funker Vogt classics. The ones I marked 5/5 ... that's not just because I like the band, it's because these songs are really great. They're songs that you will listen to over and over again.

And I understand why some people call this albums "softer" than previous releases, like Execution Tracks and We Came to Kill... but I think it also brings more depth. There ARE hard, stomping tracks on this... think Faster Life, Lügner, and Stolen Thoughts.. but the real thing about this album that stands out is the excellent use of synths. Sure, the beats now sound more like trance and less like drums, but this is electronic music. It gives Funker Vogt a signature style- hard and danceable. This is amazing. If you like any sort of hard electronic or industrial music, pick this up. It's worth a listen.

A very good release that balances Funker Vogt's previously harder edged music with something a touch more club friendly. The electronics are tight, and the production work is top notch. Lyrics are appropriate and thoughtful, if not particularly mindblowing, and all the songs revolve around the theme of surviving the horrors and atrocities of war.

Standout tracks for me were the dirge-like "Compulsions" (track 5) and "Red Queen" (track 12) with the remainder of the album presenting a solid effort reminiscent of classic EBM.

Very impressive show-an album I liked more than revivor, the remix album from 2003. Funker Vogt's view of the world through their lyrics is expressed, and their war messages are very strong. Prisoners of War, Final Thrill, and History catch my attention the most.

Personally, I think this is the best Funker album yet. Compared to Execution Tracks, this album sounds a lot more melodic and less distorted. The first three songs ('Date of expiration', 'This world' and 'History') are excellent songs with big dancey beats and easy to enjoy. In fact, I play them for many non-industrial fans and they usually like the music too.
Of course, that might put off some of their older fans, but I think that FV have become more mature and polished. It has become my favourite FV.

One last thing- my favourite song on the entire album is the last track, the bonus 'Refugees'. Wow, what a great song, some real aggression and emotion coupled with a driving , and the lyrics are surprising good too.

I'm a huge fan of Funker Vogt. However, when I knew that Survivor would be their less aggressive cd ever, I feared that funker Vogt would do something like the last Wumpscut cd, which is still good, but can't beat Embryodead and such. So I bought it for curiosity. And after seeing them in the canadian survivor tour, I just catched how this cd is the normal evolution of FV. Firstly, this cd is very melodic, but it keeps the traditional powerful beats of the previous albums. This ain't no old Funker Vogt, and if you're looking for harsh industrial, you should look toward Hanzel und Gretyl or Hocico latest releases. We can clearly see that the Survivor sound is very mature, with less violent lyrics. Don't worry, war is still in the first position, but as the title tells it, the wars they depict are very darker and realistic. "History" lyrics are the greatest they ever did. Also german lyrics on "Lügner" are great, talking about a cheating woman, the kind of subject we aren't used with FV. So this is a great cd about hope and despair. Best songs : History, stolen thoughts, red queen, date of expiration

Nothing groundbreaking. Can be quite reapetetive. The lyrics are dreadful and actually funny at times. I know they are trying to be serious but its very amaturish writing. Definetely less mature then alot of groups out there.