KMFDM

"Blitz"

Metropolis Records - 2009

CD

Unstoppable, focused and obstinate, KMFDM proceed in their march without letting anything stand in their way. Lately, they've rather saturated the market with two remix albums, limited-edition 7" vinyl reissues, three double CDs reprinting all the classic singles and B-sides, not to mention the collaboration with Skold released these same days. And then there's "Blitz", the new full-length, following the honestly not too brilliant "Tohuvabohu". The formula remains the same, don't expect big surprises or sudden new directions: it's pure KMFDM style, in the vein of what they've been offering since the reconstruction of 2002. But, if compared to its immediate predecessor, "Blitz" definitely has some more convincing elements: indeed, the first half of the CD is very enjoyable and brings even some good hits, easily imaginable to fit in the band's furious live sets.

Thrashing Russian-spoken "Davai" and dark, epic "Potz Blitz!" represent the most powerful side of these brand-new tunes, whereas "Bait & Switch" and "Never Say Never" are the melodic, pop-oriented component, with Lucia on vocals. "People Of The Lie" is probably the most interesting of the bunch, seducing and slowly rising. Another cover of a classic early 80s' synthpop hit is available too, this time it's Human League's "Being Boiled", actually dating back to their very early years, before they became worldwide famous. KMFDM's interpretation is impeccable, powerful and robotic, very well worth of the original.

The rest of the CD is rather unimpressive: "Strut" offers even the unexpected return of Cheryl Wilson, whose high-pitched blues vocals appeared on the masterpiece "Xtort", but the song itself sounds like inoffensive mainstream rock, whereas "Bitches" and "Me & My Gun" are the classic fillers, neither good nor bad. Final "Take 'em Out" can be appreciated because of its total absence of guitars, a return to the band's purely electronic boosts.

Summing up, "Blitz" will be the joy of any KMFDM fan, as the album is not at all inferior to its immediate predecessors, on the contrary, even better than some of them. Yet, an old-time supporter of Sascha and friends cannot miss the impression that things have gone a bit too serious, at least since "WWIII". Would "KMFDM sucks!" still be used as a slogan? Are self-irony and genuine punk-derived nihilism still the essential component of this extraordinary band's attitude? Only time will tell. Meanwhile, a final note must be written about Brute's artwork, this time definitely unworthy of its fame: the cover portrays the band on stage, not surely the most imaginative scene created by this appreciated artist in his career.

- Simon V.

Website: http://www.kmfdm.net

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/officialkmfdm

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