The tenth KMFDM album is titled with a string of five unpronounceable, non-alphabetic symbols (see cover art), but usually cataloged as Symbols.[1] Another title used on the KMFDM website, circa 2001 was Anger.[2] Sascha Konietzko, the frontman of KMFDM, avoids giving an explanation of the meanings of the symbols, but other band members have claimed they are meant to be similar to the unpronounceable symbols used to indicate profanity in the word balloons of comics. The symbols appear in the lyrics of "Down and Out"; the corresponding point in the song is covered with a censor-like beep in the song, and is replaced with "(SYMBOLS)" on the official KMFDM lyrics archive.
Recorded in Seattle, Washington, Symbols marked the introduction of Tim Skold. While his contribution to this album was as a guest, he would become a full-fledged member for Adios and Attak. A digitally remastered reissue of Symbols was released on May 8, 2007, along with Adios.
"Stray Bullet" received a large amount of controversy after the Columbine High School Massacre due to the fact it was liked greatly by the perpetrators, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. The song was also in the background of one of the videos posted by Pekka-Eric Auvinen on YouTube prior to the Jokela school shooting.
[edit] Critical reception
Andy Hinds of Allmusic gave a mixed review, calling some of the band's ideas repetitive while praising the programming.[3] He also commented that the band keeps its sound fresh by bringing in new contributing artists for each new album, and noted the presence of Tim Skold and Nivek Ogre. He called the production top quality and the album "a fine place for newcomers to start,"[3] but said that Symbols offers people that have been following the band few surprises.[3]
[edit] Track listing
| 1. |
"Megalomaniac" |
En Esch, Sascha Konietzko, Günter Schulz |
6:07 |
| 2. |
"Stray Bullet" |
Esch, Konietzko, Schulz |
5:32 |
| 3. |
"Leid und Elend" ("Sorrow and Misery") |
Esch, Konietzko, Schulz |
6:10 |
| 4. |
"Mercy" |
Esch, Konietzko, Schulz |
5:00 |
| 5. |
"Torture" |
Nivek Ogre, Konietzko |
7:04 |
| 6. |
"Spit Sperm" |
Raymond Watts, Esch, Konietzko, Schulz |
4:46 |
| 7. |
"Anarchy" |
Tim Skold, Esch, Konietzko, Schulz, Bill Rieflin |
5:35 |
| 8. |
"Down and Out" |
Esch, Konietzko, Abby Travis, Schulz |
6:40 |
| 9. |
"Unfit" |
Watts, Esch, Konietzko, Schulz |
6:01 |
| 10. |
"Waste" |
Konietzko, Travis, Esch, Rieflin, Schulz |
3:39 |
|
Total length:
|
56:34 |
[edit] In other media
"Megalomaniac", "Anarchy", and "Leid und Elend" were included on the soundtrack of the video game Test Drive 5. "Megalomaniac" was also featured in the film Mortal Kombat: Annihilation. "Anarchy" appeared on the European version of the soundtrack to the 1998 film Lost in Space.
[edit] Personnel
- Sascha Konietzko – sequences/programming/loops, vocals (1–6, 8, 10), drums (7, 8)
- En Esch – vocals (1–6, 8, 10), percussion (2, 7, 8), slide guitar (2), cymbals (4, 6), tambourine (4), guitar (6, 9), sequences/programming/loops (7–10), scratch piano (10)
- Günter Schulz – guitar, programming (2), loops (4, 9), backing vocals (6, 10), percussion (7, 8)
- Abby Travis – vocals (1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10), bass guitar (6, 9)
- Michel Bassin – guitar (4, 7-9), percussion (7)
- William Rieflin – drums (6, 10), loops (7, 10), percussion (7), sequences (10)
- Raymond Watts – vocals (6, 9)
- Amy Denio – saxophones (8)
- Nivek Ogre – vocals (5)
- Tim Skold – vocals (7)
[edit] References
[edit] External links
