Customer Reviews

Tohuvabohu

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Great sound, great use of Lucia and hooks we've come to love by this band ... agreed this is kind of old school KMFDM (more funky than heavy industrial) but I do love it - love it much more than any new music being churned out right now. Long live KMFDM and industrial music (just happy that Skinny Puppy, RevCo, Slick Idiot and TKK are still making new tunes). It's all about the "small" pleasures, folks ... btw, "I am what I am" is sublime.

I can see how a lot of newer KMFDM fans may not like this album, but being a fan since 1993 I have personally not really like the direction that Sascha has taken KMFDM since the reunion... until I heard Tohuvabohu. If you like albums like Nihil and Symbols then this album is for you. Definitely check it out at the very least.

You heard that right! KMFDM is BACK! with their strongest effort in years! This album has instantly become one of my favorites. and thats only after a few listens.

Tohuvabohu was released in the US today on metropolis records. The modern equivalent of Wax Trax. Although I'm not usually interested in much that they release these days. Industrial for the most part is dead IMO. Its a genre of self loathing and self parody. And its just damn depressing. A genre that completly blew my mind as a young teenager discovering music, has turned into an absolute abortion.

There are a few old masters still at work. KMFDM, Ministry, Skinny Puppy, Einsturzende Neubauten and dare I say... Nine Inch Nails? But even in recent years, some of these past geniuses (I wont mention which ones) have caused me to wonder if it was time for even them to hang up the sequencer and.. er.. manipulated vacuums and drum machines...

I will be honest when I say that I had given up completely on KMFDM. their last couple studio albums left MUCH to be desired. with the loss of Raymond Watts, Skold and before that En Esch... this new band that Kaptn 'K' had put together... while technically impressive with their playing ability... still left much to be desired.

I felt like I was listening to the same metal rock record over and over. which isn't unnecessarily a bad thing... It just seemed either forced, or careless. I cant be sure. Either way, after two albums of that, I had lost interest.

Enter Tohuvabohu. the latest effort by Kaptn K. and his Krew. Featuring the Lovely LUCIA and ex members of PIG (Who's presence is still missing on this record) This record gives me hope for industrial music once again. It seems to be mix between the SYMBOLS album and WWIII. two albums that I absolutely adored. Lucia obviously has a bit more influence in the structure of the songs written, its obvious... however they are all still very classic KMFDM. this is the album that should have been released after WWIII. Its got those classic dance floor metal beats backing Sascha's tounge in cheek self proclaiming God of Industrial/Political movement lyrics.

The opening track is very reminiscent of early to mid 90's work. opening with a funky bass line, and a full horn section, Complete with a sax solo that would make Mr. Reznor blush. I actually smiled when i first heard that bass line kick in. I knew I was in for something special.

the rest of the album follows suit nicely. jumping directly into full on industrial chaos that KMFDM is so loved for. Sascha and Lucia trade vocals off and on throughout the album as was expected. Its interesting to hear them interact as husband and wife after a few years of marriage and touring and recording together. Maybe that explains why this album is a return to form. Maybe they are finally comfortable with each other. Who knows? Regardless, the album continues on to impress me with a mixture of familiar as well as new rhythms and concepts.

Dont get me wrong. This album doesn't sound like a rehash of anything theyve already done. It just sounds like the old Kaptn is back in top form, after a few years of... well I don't know what that was... maybe he was listening to allot of Rammstein or something. I don't know. But I'm glad he's moved on. Or maybe he was heavily influenced by his live band. eh. regardless.

This album is amazing. Its out today. Go Buy it. You can listen to some more tracks on their myspace page as well.

I just have one request for the band...

PLEASE BRING RAYMOND BACK!!! poor piggy is all alone out there. and he truly brought an amazing dynamic to the albums as well as the live shows. Thats my ONLY complaint on with this album. No Watts.

Still.. I give the album 5 stars!

For more of my reviews, check out my blog.
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The more I listen to this album, the more I like it. And on first listen, I had already decided that this was one of their best releases (before or after their "break up" in '99). I'm a long time fan, (as most KMFDM fans are I guess), and I love all of their albums, some just a little more than others. When does a band that you truly love get tiring, get old, and get boring? To me... never. Because no matter what KMFDM does, I'm more than likely going to like it, if not love it. Because I like their sound, and despite what all of the other "long time fans" want to admit, they will always sound like KMFDM.

That being said, the last few albums (WWIII, HAU RUCK, and now TOHUVABOHU) have one thing that the previous albums in their diverse discography do not, and that's a steady line-up. So before, when an album came out that wasn't exactly your favorite, you could always get a fresh dose with a guest vocalist or artist on the next album. However, if you don't like the current line up so much, you're not going to get a break on the next album since it's the same. To me, I don't see what the big deal is, since I happen to love the current line up. They're a much tighter band because of this, I think, than any incarnation of KMFDM has ever been before. This line up is continuing what KMFDM have always done, and what I hope they'll continue to do for many years to come: put out great albums that are fun to listen to, but somewhere deep inside there's a little bit of message and little bit of smarts, but not enough to weigh down the fun factor. (There seems to be a lot of this anti-'tongue-in-cheek' stuff goin' around, and all I have to say is that THAT is KMFDM to a 'T.' If you haven't been able to keep up with the sense of humor this far into it, maybe you should re-evaluate why you used to listen to them in the first place).

TOHUVABOHU reminds me more of the older KMFDM than the past two albums have, (and it's weird because I had comparisons for NIHIL and WWIII, and then XTORT and HAU RUCK, and so it seems fitting that this album mirrors "SYMBOLS" in that it's more electronically driven than the preceding albums). Anyway, beginning with "Superpower" they simulatenously give one to the fans as well as come right out of the gate with the fun track. The KMFDM track. After that, the album takes off, and love it or hate it, they definately try some new things here with vocal stylings and the mixing of the guitars, the live drums and electronic beats, and the synths. The mix is sometimes very clean, while others overly loud and chaotic. "Looking For Strange" is different from what they're known for, but is also possibly one of the best songs they've made. "Saft Und Kraft" rocks harder than a Ministry song, (can't wait to hear this one live!). And "Los Ninos Del Parque" is just friggin' awesome (listen for the samples of "Friede"). While "Bumaye" is the best closer to an album they've had in a long time.

Overall, I was impressed as ever and blown away by the sheer fun I had listening to it. Boring? I don't hear it. But then again, I love KMFDM, and maybe that makes me deaf to whatever others may be hearing. If so, that's fine by me.

I'm pleased with the album. Very pleased.
As a long time fan as well as a fan of the new stuff.
As a fan of every musical endeavor Sascha's touched.
As a fan of Drill.
As a fan of Pig.
As a fan of loud-as-hell industrial beats.
As a fan of plain ol' fun to listen to balls-to-the-wall rocked-out music. (How can people listen to "Saft Und Kraft" and NOT like this album?!!! Are you kidding me?!!!)

Best album I've heard all year. And this has been a pretty decent year for music (well, at least, the kind of music I listen to).

Do yourselves a favor and get this album ASAP! S***w it! Buy two and give one to your best friend. This one WILL light a fire under your a**(in the best way
)KMFDM continues to evolve and explore with their newest release. While I've only just listened to the whole album three times so far, it's a keeper for the ages. Very layered and textured, it has the full-on impact of a full orchestra being overtaken by a chainsaw-wielding SWAT team. It's all here! Ignore the fanboys that "go way back" and just want the same s*** over and over. This is INDUSTRIAL ROCK in its purest form. In a time when every joker with a computer thinks they're some sort of Beethoven, it's nice to have the real thing..KMFDM!

The Good: Another solid, driving, industrial (if you will) album by the Ultra Heavy Beat. Lucia's vocals are good as ever. At least she can SING, which is more than can be said for 80% of the rubbish churned out at a sickening pace for the masses. KMFDM delivers yet another rhythmic, yet hardcore album. I love the direction this band has taken. They get heavier and more refined with each effort.

The Bad: Can you call this "more mainstream?" No. Mainstream was 'Juke Joint Jezebel' getting played 10,000,000 times on the radio a day.

Funny how when a band creates a new album, every complains about how "it doesn't sound like this album," or "they've sold out." Well ho-hum. If I wanted to hear 'Too Dark Park,' I wouldn't have stuck 'The Process' in my player. Same thing with '10,000 Days.' People constantly compare it to 'Lateralis.' WELL, IT'S NOT!!!!

Here's my advice: When you listen to an album, REALLY listen to it. Don't be lazy and dismiss it because it doesn't fit a pre-concieved notion of what KMFDM should be. Notice how music grows on you if you give it a chance? There you have it folks. It is what it is.

For all the years I have been a fan of KMFDM, they have always stayed true to the fans and re-written the beat they are famous for, here is another politically charged, hard-pounding CD that makes me impatient for the next release!

KMFDM is easily one of my all time favorite bands, regardless of music genre. They are the first industrial band I got into seriously and have stuck with over the years. Every album release is a huge event for me and the release of their latest cd TOHUVABOHU is no exception. I have to admit that TOHUVABOHU didn't hit me initially but the more I listen to the cd, the more I have grown to love the songs.

TOHUVABOHU is a 51 minute aural assault on the listener's ears. The cd begins with a track that incorporates phone messages from KMFDM fans. I thought that was pretty cool. The pace of the album continues with its fusion of guitar riffs, a thunderous rhythmn section, and a smorgasboard of electronic beats and samples, and never lets go. What I have noticed that the music is more electronica orientated than guitar orientated like the band's last few albums in the past six years. Lucia Cifarelli sounds great as ever. I especially love her vocals on "Not in My Name". Her vocals are a lot more aggressive since she has joined the band. Capt'n K sounds just as amazing as his wife. "Saft und Kraft" is easily my favorite track with his ferocious vocals.

Despite the obvious political themes that permeates the band's lyrics, the biting humor of the band still shows in songs like "Spit or Swallow" and "Superpower". KMFDM does it again and released a top notch album (in my book) with TOHUVABOHU. I look forward to the day when I can hear these songs live in concert.

I'm not the type to say "this record is better than this or that" - anybody that knows KMFDM knows that each album is rather different from the last, and they've often got different band members from album to album. All disclaimers aside, I defy the idea that KMFDM has "lost it!"

They're playful, they take some risks, they sing in different languages, they go from heavy metal to more meandering techno. Do I think this is their best record? Probably not. Is it their worst? I dunno - what I DO know is it's got some great tracks and it's fun to listen to.

I must begin by saying, my rating for this album is currently rather conflicted. Many of the reviewers have made some solid comments on the nature of this recording and where it stands in KMFDM's pantheon.

Personally, while I don't find this to be KMFDM's absolute best-- it's also not their worst, and feels like a solid effort. I'd say it's right on par with HAU RUCK, whch isn't a bad thing at all.

However, a lot of other reviewers had a very good point-- it would be nice to see KMFDM get more experimental with their lineup again. That isn't to imply particular nostalgia toward En Esch, Gunter, Skold, or other contributors-- but it was cool to hear a new voice pop up on a few tracks and throw off the whole "formula." In those days, the formula was in the form of clever gimmickry-- 5-letter album & track titles, consistent package design-- but every album was a surprise to behold musically. These days, it's just Sascha and Lucia with Pig's band backing 'em up. That was even a bit different in the case of HAU RUCK, but this time, it seems too predictable.

And I mean, you've gotta forgive them a bit-- they have recorded more albums (not to mention side projects) than any other band I listen to. For a band that has accomplished so much over 23 years is remarkable that they haven't lost their touch. But I do think that they'll need to mix things up in the future or risk absolute redundancy.