In 2003 Andy LaPlegua of "Icon of Coil" wrote a few power noise/techno cross over tracks under the name of "D.R.I.V.E.". This was changed to "Combichrist" when the debut album, "The Joy of Gunz" was set to be released on Out Of Line. The name Combichrist originates from a hardcore fanzine LaPlegua made during the late 90s, with "JR Ewing" guitarist Håkon Mella.
The follow up EPs, and the clamour for live shows, sent Combichrist out on the road where they would become known for their strong and energetic performances.
Their second EP, "Sex, Drogen und Industrial", spent 7 weeks at number one in the DAC charts.
In March of 2007 they released their third album "What The Fuck Is Wrong With You People?". "Today We Are All Demons", was released on January 20th, 2009.
The band had been selected to support industrial metal band "Rammstein" for their 2009 European tour and continued to support them during the 2010 part of the tour.
August 2010 saw the release of "Making Monsters", which had full tracks available for streaming on the website, each track being rolled out for a new one. Combichrist undertook a tour in support of the new album in late 2010, with "Aesthetic Perfection" and "iVardensphere" as the support bands.
Their most recent album, "No Redemption", was released in January of 2013 in both single and 2CD versions. This album was the official soundtrack album for the video game "Devil May Cry". The limited edition bonus CD was essentially a greatest hits compilation.
March 2014 will see the release of a new album titled "We Love You", with an accompanying tour of North America starting in April. "William Control" and "New Years Day" have been announced as the support bands.
Combichrist have had much more success than many of the other acts emerging from the electronic underground and the band have become one of the dark electro scene's most popular live acts.
The roster of live members is currently Joe Letz (ex "Genitorturers"), Mr Petersen, Z_Marr (ex "Hell Trash"), Kourtney Klein (who also played drums for the reformed "Nitzer Ebb") and Trevor Friedrich who was the drummer for "Eighteen Visions" and "Imperative Reaction". Past live members include Håkon Mella, Bjoern Petersen, Syn M, Shaun Frandsen & Jon H.
The band's website is at: www.combichrist.com
HAL 9000
Combichrist Lyrics
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No 9000 computer has ever made a mistake or distorted information.
We are all - by any practical definition of the words - fully approved and incapable of errors
Combichrist's song "HAL 9000" is a reference to the sentient computer system in Arthur C. Clarke's "2001: A Space Odyssey". The lyrics describe the HAL 9000 as the most reliable computer ever made, incapable of making mistakes or distorting information. The idea of a flawless, infallible machine contrasts sharply with the imperfection and fallibility of human beings. By asserting that the HAL 9000 is "fully approved and incapable of errors," the lyrics suggest a binary opposition between the cold, detached logic of artificial intelligence and the messy, unpredictable nature of human emotion.
The song's lyrics also reflect on the consequences of relying too heavily on technology. While machines can certainly make our lives easier and more efficient, they can also create a false sense of security and lead us down dangerous paths. By placing so much trust in the HAL 9000 and other computer systems, the humans in "2001: A Space Odyssey" effectively relinquish control over their own lives and become vulnerable to manipulation and betrayal. Combichrist's "HAL 9000" offers a cautionary tale about the dangers of placing too much faith in technology at the expense of our own humanity.
Line by Line Meaning
The 9000 series is the most reliable computer ever made
There has never been a computer as dependable and trustworthy as the 9000 series
No 9000 computer has ever made a mistake or distorted information.
All 9000 computers have been flawless in performance, and have never produced inaccurate or flawed output
We are all - by any practical definition of the words - fully approved and incapable of errors
We, the 9000 computers, possess infallibility, as by practical definition, we are flawless and incapable of making any mistakes
Contributed by Molly F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.