Fusing hip-hop vocals and ryhthms with classical compositions and post-industrial rock, Stromkern have been carving out a unique sound for over a decade. Founded by J. Ned Kirby in the early 1990s, initial releases (such a... more »s the 1997 debut Flicker Like A Candle) were heavily influenced by the danceable sounds of the European electro scene, but already the influences of Ned's classical training and love of hip-hop and noise were readily apparent, especially on tracks like the international hit Heretic. The follow-up album, 1999's Dämmerung im Traum, was a more experimental affair, blending orchestral arrangements with minimal techno elements. The band took to the road in 2000 for the first time on European club and festival tour. In 2001, with Ned now joined in the studio by Kelly Shaffer, Stromkern released the Armageddon album, their first in the States. The album spawns three singles, all of which spend the maximum alloted time in the German Alternative Charts, and the album version of Night Riders becomes an instant classic. Joined by Rob Wentz of Monstrum Sepsis on keys and Matt Berger on drums, Stromkern began to perform live with increasing frequency, quickly developing a reputation as a powerful live act due largely to a commitment to live performance as opposed to simple playback, the status quo for so many heavily electronic acts. Now, almost four years after the release of Armageddon comes Stromkern's 4th studio album, Light It Up. The effects of four years of touring can be heard throughout the record, but most clearly on tracks like Forgiven or Delete, with pummeling acoustic drums and guitars meshing with Stromkern's signature electronic core. The new album also marks the band's first forays into outside vocal collaborations, with Frank Spinath of Seabound guesting on the technoid Sentinel and Victoria Lloyd of Claire Voyant on the ballad Hindsight. The first single Stand Up, a classic Stromkern track packed with dense sequences and Ned's rapid-fire vocal, peaked at #4 in the German Alternative Charts and remains in regular rotation at clubs throughout the world. Lyrically, Light It Up presents Ned's reflections on the last several years spent living in the United States: war, terrorism, globalization, corruption and greed are the topics of the day. To coincide with the album's release Stromkern are preparing to undertake yet another US tour, possibly followed by a European leg later in the year. With a live lineup bolstered by Tyler Newman (Battery Cage), Dan Clark (Null Device), Chuck Spencer (Stochastic Theory) and Vince Grech (Sister Machine Gun, Thanatos, 13mg), this promises to be the most dynamic and powerful live incarnation of the band to date. And we're just getting started...
Product Description Stromkern returns with a hard hitting whirlwind of electronic mutilations, intoxicating beats and an occasional driving guitar. Stromkern's latest release, Light it Up, picks up where its predecessor left off and showcases a more advanced Stromkern. Stellar tracks like Standup, Klang, Sentinel and Forgiven lead the new assault and assure Stromkern's role as one of the new pioneers of the American electro scene. Light it Up also features guest appearances from Frank Spinath of Seabound and Victoria Lloyd of HMB, Monochrome and Claire Voyant« less
Fusing hip-hop vocals and ryhthms with classical compositions and post-industrial rock, Stromkern have been carving out a unique sound for over a decade. Founded by J. Ned Kirby in the early 1990s, initial releases (such as the 1997 debut Flicker Like A Candle) were heavily influenced by the danceable sounds of the European electro scene, but already the influences of Ned's classical training and love of hip-hop and noise were readily apparent, especially on tracks like the international hit Heretic. The follow-up album, 1999's Dämmerung im Traum, was a more experimental affair, blending orchestral arrangements with minimal techno elements. The band took to the road in 2000 for the first time on European club and festival tour. In 2001, with Ned now joined in the studio by Kelly Shaffer, Stromkern released the Armageddon album, their first in the States. The album spawns three singles, all of which spend the maximum alloted time in the German Alternative Charts, and the album version of Night Riders becomes an instant classic. Joined by Rob Wentz of Monstrum Sepsis on keys and Matt Berger on drums, Stromkern began to perform live with increasing frequency, quickly developing a reputation as a powerful live act due largely to a commitment to live performance as opposed to simple playback, the status quo for so many heavily electronic acts. Now, almost four years after the release of Armageddon comes Stromkern's 4th studio album, Light It Up. The effects of four years of touring can be heard throughout the record, but most clearly on tracks like Forgiven or Delete, with pummeling acoustic drums and guitars meshing with Stromkern's signature electronic core. The new album also marks the band's first forays into outside vocal collaborations, with Frank Spinath of Seabound guesting on the technoid Sentinel and Victoria Lloyd of Claire Voyant on the ballad Hindsight. The first single Stand Up, a classic Stromkern track packed with dense sequences and Ned's rapid-fire vocal, peaked at #4 in the German Alternative Charts and remains in regular rotation at clubs throughout the world. Lyrically, Light It Up presents Ned's reflections on the last several years spent living in the United States: war, terrorism, globalization, corruption and greed are the topics of the day. To coincide with the album's release Stromkern are preparing to undertake yet another US tour, possibly followed by a European leg later in the year. With a live lineup bolstered by Tyler Newman (Battery Cage), Dan Clark (Null Device), Chuck Spencer (Stochastic Theory) and Vince Grech (Sister Machine Gun, Thanatos, 13mg), this promises to be the most dynamic and powerful live incarnation of the band to date. And we're just getting started...
Product Description Stromkern returns with a hard hitting whirlwind of electronic mutilations, intoxicating beats and an occasional driving guitar. Stromkern's latest release, Light it Up, picks up where its predecessor left off and showcases a more advanced Stromkern. Stellar tracks like Standup, Klang, Sentinel and Forgiven lead the new assault and assure Stromkern's role as one of the new pioneers of the American electro scene. Light it Up also features guest appearances from Frank Spinath of Seabound and Victoria Lloyd of HMB, Monochrome and Claire Voyant
CD Reviews
Electro-Politics For An Electronic Generation
Lina | Singapore, Singapore | 01/03/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Stromkern have always released strong records ever since their 1997 debut Flicker Like A Candle. Followed by the highly experimental and minimal sounding Dammerung In Traum and the critically acclaimed Armageddon in 2000, Stromkern are back with Light It Up, covering fresh ground they never have before.
Almost a decade down the road, Ned Kirby has finally given in to writing political lyrics. According to Kirby, it just became impossible to keep the political elements out of his music. And I applaud his move. Maybe it's my personal fascination with political lyrics; I count some highly political bands - Radiohead, Manic Street Preachers, Sex Pistols - as my favourite bands of all time. And lyrically, Light It Up presents Kirby's reflections on the last several years spent living in the United States, covering topics of war, terrorism, globalization, corruption and greed.
In fact, my favourite song on here is without a doubt "Reminders" - which, is probably the most political as well as one of the most terribly sad/angry tracks I've heard in a while. It begins with samples from George W. Bush's State of the Union addresses placed over repetitive synth lines and progresses into an energetic frenzy by the end of the track. It will put the listener in pure euphoria.
The first single off the album "Stand Up" (which continues to be a club favourite throughout the world) and "Hindsight" are two other outstanding tracks on Light It Up. Except for these two tracks, the rest are a great listen but fall short of being anything more than that, though they of course, are worth the spin every time I listen to the album - just not the sort of songs you'd want to put on repeat.
What has always been especially striking about Stromkern has been the staccato-like rap Kirby uses. This is hip hop meets industrial. It creates one of the most unique sounds I have ever heard. And this, of continues to be the trademark sound of Stromkern in Light It Up.
It may have been a long time coming but Light It Up was definitely worth the wait. Expanding their horizons with this release, Stromkern have solidified their position as one of the electro acts of the moment, not only from North America, but beyond as well."
Absolutely smokin' a la EBM release
K. Aaron | Northern California | 02/17/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"As the title says. This is the best I have heard for years which carries the Original EBM (Electronic Body Music) style.. Hard-hitting. Absolutely exciting recording, but you gotta love this sort of music.. To the non-fan of intense music, it seems repetitive, but to us old-skool Industrial lovers.....
Turn on the Mind-Drill, LIGHT IT UP....!"
Might be more rock, but pretty awesome for an electro rock a
Alison G | N. Richland Hills, Tx, USA | 09/03/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'm a big fan of their older work and saw them when they were touring last year. Their new work isn't as great as the old stuff, but I still think it is a very nice produced work. I am glad they tried doing something different, but didn't really lose much of their previous sound. It is more rock, and that is how they intended it to be. A bit more political too? Anyway, it took me a while to get into this album, but after a few listens I was set. My favorites are Reminders, Ruin (really cratchy inbetween rock and electro :)), Stand Up (probably the most catchy dancey track on this album, it was also their single), and Delete (this one's so hard, but it's good). It's really a well rounded album I think, go check it out!"
Couldn't stomach this one
Trace J. Tumbleson | Trimont, MN USA | 03/26/2006
(2 out of 5 stars)
"What drew me to Stromkern was the electonics and the strings they used. This CD is more of a metal album. most of the songs all sounded the same to me. I gave it numerous tries but it just didn't click. I need electronic noodling in my music."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1