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Review & Photos: KMFDM, Chant


U.S. TOUR 2022

OCTOBER 10, 2022

THE AGORA

CLEVELAND, OHIO

By Neil Shumate, OOTB Publications


After close to four decades, last night it was clear that industrial rock titans KMFDM can still throw down and pack venues. On tour with back-to-back stops supporting their 22nd genre variety album Hyena, the German based band brought a cochlea strike to attendees with juggernaut force, and it was exactly what fans came for.


While bands like Ministry and Nine Inch Nails brought industrial to the mainstream forefront, KMFDM (forming before Rammstein) has generally remained underground—alongside artists like My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Atari Teenage Riot, Skinny Puppy, Gravity Kills.


The politically fueled lyrics, with occasional religious allusions, were delivered with protesting angst from founding frontman and vocalist Sascha Konietzko (Käpt'n K.) along with vigorous and sensual vocals from Lucia Cifarelli, who is married to Konietzko. Cifarelli took the spotlight many times with her vocal focused tracks, including: “Black Hole,” “Rebels In Kontrol,” “Oh My Goth.” 


The dynamic band brought out a special guest to rap for upbeat performances of “K.M.F.” and “Rock’N’Roll Monster.” With current events, “Drug Against War” resonated with the crowd while the live version of new album title track “Hyena” motivated fans to dance and sing along with another catchy trademark chorus.


Guitarist Andee Blacksugar released the ominous sounds and forceful driving riffs that’s essential in completing the band’s defining live techno sound. Drummer Andy Selway pounded his set with no holds barred from thrash beats to punk rock paces and crushing, danceable grooves.


It’s apparent the band’s distinct ultra heavy beat is here to stay. As proclaimed in “Liquor Fish & Cigarettes,” within the band’s common first-person lyric style: “KMFDM doing it again, and again, and again.”


Warming the crowd up, Texas' Chant brought a full throttle 45-minute set of percussion focused music along with backing samples and live distorted guitar layers (with Robin Finck moves) for an industrial, goth-like set. 


Cryptic vocals were delivered by percussionist and Chant founder Bradley Bills. Solid performances of “Primetime Annihilation,” “President God,” and “Uprising” from the latest album Hydra drove the set. 


See tour dates here.

 

PHOTOS OF KMFDM 

 































PHOTOS OF CHANT

 























 

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