A fun, wonderful album
Catfood03 | in front of my computer typing reviews | 08/27/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"... not exactly the words I would typically describe Industrial music, a genre that sometimes gets weighed down by taking itself too seriously at times. KMFDM is band that knows how to liven Industrial up, making their songs closer to party anthems than gothic dirges.
Xtort sports an impressive list of guest participants in additon to the core duo of Sascha and En Esch. The flow of the album is very impressive considering the variety of contributors and the changes in tempo and mood from song to song. Some tracks lean heavier on the guitar riffs, some on crazy beats and tempos, while others distinguish themselves by the person handling the vocals.
There are no weak tracks on this album, but if I had to highlight a few for listening I would include "Rules" (a great beat coupled with having one of the best chorus in KMFDM's history), "Inane" (faster paced, with boastful lyrics that refernce older titles from their past), "Son of a Gun" (intense, zooms at breakneck speed while remaining tuneful throughout), and "Wrath" (it sounds solemn but if you listen to the lyrics it's actually quite humorous, nice contrasts between verse sections and chorus).
Xtort also sports my favorite Brute cover art. I intend to pick up the remastered CD real soon, so I might update this review to contrast the new version with the older one I already own.
UPDATE (10/03/07): I now have the remastered version for this CD to comment on. The sound does improve from the original a bit (the bass seems deeper on this one). The band photos that were in the original booklet are still there, plus ones that weren't.
For those who are new to Xtort when picking up this remastered version might be interested to know that the "bonus" track ("Fairy") is not a unique addition. It was a hidden track at the end of the original CD, now it can be accessed by its own track number
Final Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars."
My favorite KMFDM album.
P. Buche | Chicago, IL, WA | 07/03/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Metropolis records now owns the distrubutor rights to KMFDM (they were formerly the biggest band on the Wax Trax label), and to spice up the new relationship, Metropolis has digittally remastered all of their classic albums and released them two at a time from season to season. This is the best KMFDM album IMO. I love the hell out of it. Most KMFDM fans that I have met consider either "XTORT", or "SYMBOLS" to be thier favorite album. The KMFDM line up for this album is Chris Connelly (Ministry, Revco.), Raymond Watts (Pig), Sacscha, and the guy from Eiensterezende Neaubauten. Great album...industrial metal at it's best."