KMFDM never say die but keep on killing with
Kunst, their 2013 album and a title where it is best to enunciate carefully, because that's the German word for "art." Speaking of titles, the title track here is a stomping history lesson of the band with previous album and song titles forming the bulk of the lyrics, along with the truth behind those initials, which stand for "Kill" M F'n "Depeche Mode!" according to the chorus, one of the hookiest red herrings in the band's catalog. A shouted-out love letter to jailed Russian punk rockers makes "Pussy Riot" the topical highlight to pick, while "Pseudocide" is the furious industro-monster longtime fans will likely adore, sounding as shrill as
Ministry in their heyday and as off the rails as the band's own
Attak, their thrashtacular album from 2002. Elsewhere there's leader
Sascha's twisted love of Euro-disco on full display for "Ave Maria," Swedish group Morlocks helping the campy and angry "The Mess You Made" sound like My Life with the Thrill Kill KMFDM, as well as Legion Within vocalist William Wilson doing a gothic vampire chant behind the electro-industrial jumble dubbed "Next Big Thing." Put it all together and it is one of the most well-rounded efforts in the group's post-
En Esch catalog, and with that title/that artwork, it's a great excuse to buy a new
KMFDM T-shirt as well. ~ David Jeffries