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
Killing Fields
Funker Vogt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
for the battle you don't want
to defend what you love
that's how the war begins
so when you walk away
leaving the killing fields
you will be soon aware
CHORUS
peace is impossible
no matter what it seems
someone's killing someone
even in your dreams
you can't give them a reason
you can't tell them the truth
they are so convinced
to know what to do
so when you walk away......
people are not very wise
don't know their limitations
don't know what death means
when they play their dirty games
so when you walk away...
Zinetwin
The lyrics of Funker Vogt's song Killing Fields refer to the nature of war and the human condition that leads to it. The first verse emphasizes the importance of preparation and defense in order to protect what is loved, and the significance of this mindset in sparking conflict. The following lines of the song reinforce the idea that war is inevitable, even in one's dreams, and that reason and truth are often insufficient to prevent bloodshed. The final lines of the song touch on the ignorance and arrogance that are seemingly ubiquitous among those who engage in conflicts, and the personal losses that come with participating in the violent cycle.
The song's overall message calls for the recognition of the reality of war, and for people to resist the tendency towards foolishness and blind dedication to false causes. The lyrics suggest that the only way to truly defend what is loved, and to honor those who have been lost, is to reject the cycle of violence altogether.
Line by Line Meaning
you must plan and you must train
You need to have a strategy and prepare for the battle ahead.
for the battle you don't want
Even if you don't want to fight, you must be prepared to defend what you love.
to defend what you love
Protecting the things you hold dear is the ultimate motivation for going into battle.
that's how the war begins
When the need to defend what you love collides with opposing forces, the seeds of war are planted.
so when you walk away
When you leave the battlefield.
leaving the killing fields
Departing from the scene of death and destruction.
you will be soon aware
You will quickly realize.
what you have lost
The costly toll of war becomes apparent.
peace is impossible
True peace is an unattainable ideal in a world riddled with violence and conflict.
no matter what it seems
Even if temporary periods of peace occur, underlying tensions and conflicts remain.
someone's killing someone
Violence and murder are pervasive, even in the subconscious realm of dreams.
even in your dreams
In even the most subconscious and unconscious states of mind.
you can't give them a reason
There is no logical or rational explanation that can justify the violence that occurs.
you can't tell them the truth
Even if the true motivations and causes of the conflict are understood, they cannot be communicated to those who remain convinced of their own beliefs.
they are so convinced
Those who cling to their own beliefs and ideologies are unwavering in their convictions.
to know what to do
They are certain that their actions are the correct course of action to take.
people are not very wise
Human beings have a tendency to act foolishly and without thought for the long-term consequences of their actions.
don't know their limitations
Individuals frequently overestimate their own abilities and underestimate the challenges they will face.
don't know what death means
Many people do not fully grasp the gravity and finality of death.
when they play their dirty games
When individuals become caught up in power struggles and manipulative tactics to achieve their own objectives.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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