KMFDM - Tohuvabohu

KMFDM - Tohuvabohu
2008 - Metropolis/KMFDM Records

It's KMFDM, what more needs to be said? Expect self-referential lyrics and spoken-word snippets among heavy bass and pounding danceable rhythm lines. But wait... Horns? On a KMFDM album? Leadoff track "Super Power" has exactly that, and is in fact more of a driving rock track than their typical signature blend of electronica and metal.

The spacey synthesizers and female vocals are fully intact on the following track, one of the catchier tunes, "Looking For Strange". I'm not questioning the content, as I have no desire to know exactly what strange they're looking for.

Title track Tohuvabohu comes from a Hebrew phrase meaning "void and without form", though this is probably ironic, since this is a very rigidly formed track. It's quintessential KMFDM, pulsing beat, dark vocals, lots of yelling. I actually quite like this. However, come on, "all that glitters is not gold" is one of the worst fucking cliches I've ever heard from these guys.

"I Am What I Am" moves into a slow steady almost chantlike groove driven by drums and grinding guitars before dropping to a flat-out generic rock track. Very disappointing.

"Saft und Kraft" is a failed experiment. It's just not good. KMFDM is not Slipknot, for better or for worse, and they shouldn't even try. We know what KMFDM does, they do it well, they KNOW they do it well. Why change what works?

The next few tracks are all typical "ultraheavy beat" tracks that DO exemplify what the band (can I call them a band now?) is best at.

"Spit or Swallow" sounds like they're trying to meld the Symbols-era sound with the newer heavy rock sound, and it's mildly successful, though the earlier album is still the standout, and will probably remain that way for the foreseeable future.

"Fait Accompli". Oh sweet fucking Christ. I just want to take a rolled up newspaper and smack the band members on the nose and say STOP IT. Now they think they're Evanescence? WHAT THE FUCK. What's next? Creed covers? I have little hope for these guys anymore.

I'm not real sure what's going on with "Bumaye". It wants to be epic and grand, but it doesn't work. The monotone vocals do. not. help. Oh, and the fist-pumping chorus fails to make my fist pump. Give me ANYTHING prior to Attak instead of this shit, PLEASE.

KMFDM has a new album coming out this March. I don't know if I even want to hear it. They've been on a steady decline since WWIII, which wasn't *that* great to begin with. I'll probably get it anyway, because I'm a whore like that.

**1/2 of 5