Symbols (album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Symbols
Type = Album
Artist = KMFDM


Released = September 23, 1997
Recorded =
Genre = Industrial metal
Length = 56:36
Label = Wax Trax!/TVT/Metropolis
Producer = KMFDM, Chris Shepard
Reviews =
* Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:f9frxqejldae link]
* Pitchfork Media (8.5/10) [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/19109-kmfdm link]
Last album = " Retro"
(1998)
This album = "Symbols"
(1997)
Next album = "Agogo"
(1998)

The tenth KMFDM album is titled with a string of five unpronounceable, non-alphabetic symbols (see cover art), but usually cataloged as "Symbols".cite web
title = The album's entry on the current KMFDM website
work = kmfdm.net
year = 2007
url = http://www.kmfdm.net/discography/albums/symbols.htm
accessdate = 2007-08-11] It has also been referred to as "KMFDM" (suggesting it to be a self-titled album).cite web
title = Album review at Pitchfork
work = pitchforkmedia.com
url = http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/19109-kmfdm
accessdate = 2007-08-11] Another title used on the KMFDM website, circa 2001 was "Anger".cite web
title = The album's entry on the old KMFDM website
work = kmfdm.net
year = 2001
url = http://web.archive.org/web/20000525031722/www.kmfdm.net/page/anger.html
accessdate = 2007-08-11] Sascha Konietzko, the frontman of KMFDM, avoids giving an explanation of the meanings of the symbols, but other band members have claimed they are meant to be similar to the unpronounceable symbols used to indicate profanity in the word balloons of comics.Fact|date=October 2007 Interestingly, the titular symbols appear in the lyrics of "Down and Out"; the corresponding point in the song is covered with a censor-like beep, reinforcing the notion of the title as being comic book profanity.

Recorded in Seattle, Washington, "Symbols" marked the introduction of Tim Skold. While his contribution to this album was merely as a guest, he would eventually become a full-fledged member and remain so for several years. A digitally remastered reissue of "Symbols" was released on May 8, 2007, along with "Adios".

"Stray Bullet" received a large amount of controversy after the Columbine High School Massacre due to the fact it was liked greatly by the perpetrators, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. The song was also in the background of one of the videos posted by Pekka-Eric Auvinen on YouTube prior to the Jokela School Shooting.

Track listing

# "Megalomaniac" (En Esch, Sascha Konietzko, Günter Schulz) – 6:07
# "Stray Bullet" (Esch, Konietzko, Schulz) – 5:32
# "Leid und Elend" (Esch, Konietzko, Schulz) – 6:10
# "Mercy" (Esch, Konietzko, Schulz) – 5:00
# "Torture" (Nivek Ogre, Konietzko) – 7:04
# "Spit Sperm" (Raymond Watts, Esch, Konietzko, Schulz) – 4:46
# "Anarchy" (Tim Skold, Esch, Konietzko, Schulz, Bill Rieflin) – 5:35
# "Down and Out" (Esch, Konietzko, Abby Travis, Schulz) – 6:40
# "Unfit" (Watts, Esch, Konietzko, Schulz) – 6:01
# "Waste" (Konietzko, Travis, Esch, Rieflin, Schulz) – 3:39

Personnel

* Sascha Konietzko – sequences/programming/loops, vocals (1–6, 8, 10), percussion (7, 8)
* En Esch – vocals (1–6, 8, 10), percussion (2, 7, 8), slide guitar (2), cymbals (4, 6), tambourine (4), guitar (6, 9), sequences/programming/loops (7–10), scratch piano (10)
* Günter Schulz – guitar, programming (2), loops (4, 9), backing vocals (6, 10), percussion (7, 8)
* Abby Travis – vocals (1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10), bass guitar (6, 9)
* Raymond Watts – vocals (6, 9)
* Nivek Ogre – vocals (5)
* Tim Skold – vocals (7)
* William Rieflin – drums (6, 10), loops (7, 10), percussion (7), sequences (10)
* Michel Bassin – guitar (4, 7-9), percussion (7)
* Amy Denio – saxophones (8)

ee also

* "Led Zeppelin IV"

References

External links

* [http://www.kmfdm.net/discography/albums/symbols.htm The lyrics of "Symbols" at the official KMFDM website]