Funker Vogt (German: [ˈfʊŋkɐ foːkt]) is a German electronic-industrial musi… Read Full Bio ↴Funker Vogt (German: [ˈfʊŋkɐ foːkt]) is a German electronic-industrial music project with an aggressive style, formed by vocalist Jens Kästel and programmer Gerrit Thomas in 1995. Other members of the band are keyboardist/manager Björn Böttcher, live guitarist Frank Schweigert and lyricist Kai Schmidt. The name of the band translates from German to English as "Radio Operator Vogt", this being the surname of a friend of the band who was a military radio operator.[1] The military concept of a radio operator provides a contrast with the musical roles of a DJ or a vocalist using a microphone.

History
The group appeared on several German compilations and, in 1996, released their debut album Thanks for Nothing. Following the release of two limited edition EPs (Words of Power and Take Care), Funker Vogt signed with the American record label Metropolis Records. Metropolis re-released Thanks for Nothing, followed by the We Came to Kill in late 1997.[1] Kästel and Thomas have participated, as remixers, on Leæther Strip album Yes, I'm Limited, Vol. 2. In 2000, Funker Vogt released Maschine Zeit, followed by the remix EP T in early 2001.[1] Additionally to the core members of the band, concert members also include Björn Böttcher (keyboard) and Frank Schweigert (guitar, he replaced Thomas Kroll in 2004). Kai Schmidt writes most of the lyrics and manages the band through his own management company.[2] They all hail from the town of Hamelin in Germany. The majority of their lyrics revolve around the concepts of war.

A distinctive theme is present in the band's work and stage presence; both their musicianship and their costuming are strongly reminiscent of military music and dress.[3] This military aesthetic is also popular with the band's fanbase. However, the political stance of Funker Vogt is decidedly anti-war; the band cites "war and social injustice" as their primary topics of discussion, noting that the goal of the album Execution Tracks, along with the accompanying video, was to "present the grotesque cruelties and the tragedy of war."

According to the band's website, as of 2011 both Björn Böttcher and Kai Schmidt are no longer collaborating with the band. As a result, Funker Vogt will no longer be managed by REPOMANagement.[4] In 2013, longtime frontman Jens Kästel left the band after his last show on 30 November in Berlin.[5] Four years later in 2017 Funker Vogt reform with a new singer, Chris L. (Agonoize/The Sexorcist).

Members
Gerrit Thomas - programming
René Dornbusch - keyboards, drums
Chris L. - vocals
Thomas is also in Ravenous, Fusspils 11 and Fictional, and was in 2006 project Gecko Sector.

Discography
Studio albums
Funker Vogt (1995)
Thanks for Nothing (1996)
We Came to Kill (1997)
Killing Time Again (1998) (part new material, part remixes)
Execution Tracks (1998)
T (2000) (contains 4 new tracks and 10 remixes)
Maschine Zeit (2000)
Survivor (2002)
Revivor (2003) (remix album)
Navigator (2005)
Aviator (2007)
Blutzoll (2010)
Companion in Crime (2013)
Code of Conduct (2017)
Wastelands (2018)
Element 115 (2021)
Live albums
Warzone K17 (2009) (22 hits from the past 12 years)
DVD
Warzone K17 (2009)
Live Execution '99 (2010) (also features the album T in DVD Audio)
Singles and EPs
"Take Care" (1997)
"Words of Power" (1997)
"Killing Time Again"
"Tragic Hero" (1998)
"Gunman" (2000)
"Subspace" (2001)
"Date of Expiration" (2002)
"Red Queen" (2003)
"Fallen Hero" (2005)
"Killing Ground (promo)" (2006)
"Club-Pilot" (2007)
"White Trash" (2008)
"Arising Hero" (2010)
"Hard Way" (2012)
"Sick Man" (2014)
"Der Letzte Tanz" (2017)
"Feel the Pain" (2018)
"Ikarus" (2018)
"Conspiracy" (2020)
Maxi-singles
"Velvet Acid Christ Vs Funker Vogt: The Remix Wars – Strike 4" (1999)
"Code 7477" (2001)
Compilations
Always and Forever Volume 1 (2005)
Always and Forever Volume 2 (2006)
Music videos
"Gunman"
"Subspace"
"Fallen Hero"
"The Firm"
"Hard Way"
"Sick Man"
"Ikarus"
"Feel the Pain"
Remixes by Funker Vogt
Leæther Strip – How Do I Know (Funker Vogt Remix) (1997)
Front 242 – Headhunter 2000 (Funker Vogt Mix) (1998)
Leæther Strip – Hate Me! (Funker Vogt Remix) (1998)
Assemblage 23 – Disappoint (Funker Vogt RMX) (2001)
Cruciform Injection – Lacrimal Involucre (Funker Vogt Remix) (2002)
Beborn Beton – Dr. Channard (Funker Vogt Remix) (2004)
Icon of Coil – Simulated (Funker Vogt Remix) (2004)
Informatik – Flesh Menagerie (Funker Vogt Rmx) (2004)
Dope Stars Inc. – 10.000 Watts (Funker Vogt Remix) (2005)
Mindless Self Indulgence – Straight To Video (Funker Vogt Mix) (2006)
Vigilante (band) – The Other Side (Funker Vogt Remix) (2006)
Theatre of Tragedy – Motion (Funker Vogt Remix) (2009)
Suicide Commando – Attention Whore (Posing Overdose Remix By Funker Vogt) (2012)
Bruderschaft – Return (Funker Vogt Remix) (2013)

Official website: www.funker-vogt.com

Babylon
Funker Vogt Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

After all the wars
We are reunited in Babylon
We have learned from the past
This is our final chance
After all the wars
Destruction finally left behind
The old cities are all gone
Babylon this is your time

Chorus:
Here we are the sole survivors
Escaped all the slave drivers
Reunited at the edge of dawn
A new society is reborn

Babylon for a second time
A new start for our generation
After all these struggles here
We have reached our destination

Chorus:
Here we are the sole survivors
Escaped all the slave drivers

Reunited at the edge of dawn
A new society is reborn

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Babylon" by Funker Vogt describe a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has survived the devastating impact of wars and destruction. They have gathered in Babylon, hoping to start anew and create a new society. The song is a testament to human resilience and the desire to rebuild what has been lost.

The first two lines of the song, "After all the wars, we are reunited in Babylon," signify that despite the wars and destruction, humanity has finally come together in a common place - Babylon. The reference to Babylon is symbolic, as it was a city in ancient Mesopotamia known for its greatness and societal advances. The lyrics suggest that Babylon is a representation of the new beginnings and hope for the future.

The chorus of the song, "Here we are the sole survivors, escaped all the slave drivers, reunited at the edge of dawn, a new society is reborn," conveys the sense of triumph over adversities. The survivors have escaped from their oppressors and have united to rebuild a new society. The lyrics capture the essence of the human spirit - the triumph of hope over despair, light over darkness, and renewal over destruction.

Line by Line Meaning

After all the wars
Despite the numerous wars we have faced

We are reunited in Babylon
We have come together in Babylon

We have learned from the past
We have gained knowledge from our past experiences

This is our final chance
This is our last opportunity

Destruction finally left behind
The damage caused by war has ceased

The old cities are all gone
The cities of the past are no longer here

Babylon this is your time
This is the time for Babylon to shine

Chorus:
The refrain of the song

Here we are the sole survivors
We are the only ones who have survived

Escaped all the slave drivers
We have managed to avoid those who would enslave us

Reunited at the edge of dawn
We have come together at the beginning of a new day