KMFDM

Nihil (1995)

eatdogs

You’ve probably heard of this band before…

Maybe you’ve seen their name pop up when searching for

records by bands who dabble in the genre known at Industrial? Perhaps you’ve

recognized their iconic album artwork which has consistently been created by

commercial artist Aidan “Brute!” Hughes? Of course there’s the chance a name

drop happened upon you by that one kid in high school who wore the baggy jeans

and smelled of Aspen cologne? Or maybe, just maybe you have no idea who the

heck KMFDM are! Well here’s one album to give at shot at and finally get it

over with and say, “Yeah, I’ve heard of

KMFDM. That one album ***** was pretty good/sucked. Skinny Puppy/Front 242 are

WAAAAYYYY better!”

Nihil is the

eighth studio album by the German Industrial/Metal band Kein Mehrheit Für Die

Mitleid, or simply KMFDM. They also went by the nickname "Kill

Motherf****** Depeche Mode" to confuse American journalists on their first

US tour.

Using a blend of Industrial landscapes of post-apocalyptic

machinery, mixed with heavy metal riffage, scratchy electronic dance music, and

sometimes anarchic/sleazy lyrics, KMFDM have been one of the most consistent

bands in the music industry and still continue to record, tour, and connect

with their very intimate cult-like fan base.

Nihil was released

in 1995 on the independent Wax Trax! Records which had be acquired by TVT

Records in 1992. Wax Trax! Records was home to many Punk, New-Wave, and

Industrial bands in Chicago and went on to become America's preeminent

industrial label of the 80’s and 90’s. The label’s output of classic Industrial

releases put them in the American underground spotlight and acts like Revolting

Cocks, Coil, Meat Beat Manifesto, and Pailhead (Ian MacKaye and Ministry side

project = awesome!) became well known.

The one song most people know by KMFDM is second track “Juke

Joint Jezebel”. This was the first single released and is regarded as the bands

most famous. Hitting the underground airwaves at the time, the song’s blend of

Industrial and electronic genres helped usher in a club scene that broke

boundaries and saw all sorts of people connect to the music who otherwise

wouldn’t have anything to do with each other. The song was also featured in the

first Mortal Kombat and Bad Boys movies so there’s that as well.

Lead singer and founder Sascha Konietzko sings like a madman

on the album, never stopping the awesome carnage his seedy tone allows. He’s

backed by guitarist Günter Schulz who’s work on those early KMFDM albums with

his gift at playing speed metal and co-writing a lot of the songs proved to be

the cusp of what made those early years of the band mean so much to people.

Also not to forget the exceptional help of vocalist/bassist Raymond Watts (pig),

guitarist/multi-instrumentalist En Esch (Pigface), and journeyman drummer Bill

Rieflin (R.E.M., Swans, King Crimson) among several other collaborators who

worked on the record.

A lot of Industrial acts sound like they belong only in the

studio, but when playing live they tend to become something much more. KMFDM

became known for their live shows and songs from this album like “Ultra”,

“Brute” and “Trust” still get played to raucous applause. And despite the

seriousness of the music this band makes, they don’t mind occasionally poking

fun at themselves which can make those most cynical of folks appreciate.

In April 20, 1999 the Columbine High School massacre took

place. KMFDM gained unwanted media coverage by way of shooter Eric Harris who

posted random song lyrics to his website. Often at times people don’t know who

to blame for societies troubles, and when there’s no clear idea of who’s at

fault, often blame comes those who have nothing to do with whatever is

happening. Those outsiders who look and sound different are often the easy

targets for finger pointing. KMFDM had a dark cloud hang above them for some

time after Columbine and that’s left a dent in their legacy in some people’s

minds. But that shouldn’t discount what they have done as artists. Let the

music speak for them. The band is fiercely political, with many lyrics taking

stands against violence, war, oppression, and censorship. People just didn’t

care about the facts…

KMFDM are a band going by their own rules and doing their

own thing. Reminds me of the early days of the Misfits and how they developed

their own musical universe wholly unique to them. That do-it-yourself attitude

is pretty punk.

Other albums to check out by the band are Symbols, Naïve, and Xtort. If you are a fan of acts like My Life

with the Thrill Kill Kult, Front Line Assembly, Ministry, and Nine Inch Nails

then KMFDM should fit right in with your playlist. Give this a listen. Dig it.