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
Thanatophobia
Funker Vogt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Afraid to live
In this world full of hate
Roaring thunder
Death is coming
A brilliant flash in the night
A mighty shadow darkens the sky
But I am not afraid to die
Thanatophobia
Blood drains from your vein
Thanatophobia
You will soon feel the pain
Thanatophobia
Your skin is getting cold
Thanatophobia
Death has taken hold
The dark herald
Hear him now
His voice sounds over the land
Thunder and lightning follows his way
A dark shadow at your window
Thanatophobia
Blood drains from your vein
Thanatophobia
You will soon feel the pain
Thanatophobia
Your skin is getting cold
Thanatophobia
Death has taken hold
The lyrics of Funker Vogt's "Thanatophobia" convey a sense of fear and apprehension towards death, an emotion that is often shared by many individuals. The first two lines "Afraid to die, Afraid to live" highlights the paradoxical nature of life and death, where one cannot exist without the other. The song suggests that the world is full of hate, and death is imminent, symbolized by the roaring thunder and a brilliant flash in the night.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become darker, and the fear of death grows stronger. The chorus repeated several times, using the term "Thanatophobia," which is the fear of death, emphasizes the theme of the song. The lyrics go on to describe the physical manifestations of death, where the skin becomes colder and the blood flows from the vein. The lyrics narrate the imagery of a dark shadow at the window or a herald of death, indicating that the end is near.
However, the closing line "But I am not afraid to die," takes the lyrics in another direction, suggesting that perhaps the fear of death is not as strong as we first assumed. It could be interpreted that the singer is now accepting death as inevitable and is willing to face it, indicating that the fear of death is often worse than death itself.
Line by Line Meaning
Afraid to die
I fear the unknown of death and what might happen after I pass away
Afraid to live
I am scared of the difficult and traumatic experiences that can come with living in this world
In this world full of hate
The environment we live in is full of anger and hostility, which can be overwhelming and difficult to navigate
Roaring thunder
Loud noises and danger are imminent, causing fear and anxiety
Death is coming
The realization that death is always looming in the distance, waiting to take us away
A brilliant flash in the night
A sudden, unexpected event that can be both beautiful and terrifying
A mighty shadow darkens the sky
A foreboding presence that brings darkness and fear to the world
But I am not afraid to die
Despite the fear and uncertainty, I am at peace with the idea of death
Thanatophobia
The fear of death and dying
Blood drains from your vein
Our life force is draining away, symbolizing the end of life
You will soon feel the pain
The physical, emotional, and spiritual pain that comes with the end of life
Your skin is getting cold
The body is shutting down, and the physical signs of death are starting to appear
Death has taken hold
The end of life has arrived, and there is no turning back
The dark herald
The messenger of death, bringing news of the end of life
Hear him now
The recognition that the end of life is coming, and it cannot be ignored
His voice sounds over the land
The message of death is heard throughout the world, impacting all who hear it
Thunder and lightning follows his way
The power and force of death are seen in the natural world, manifesting in thunder and lightning
A dark shadow at your window
The presence of death is felt, even in the safety of one's own home
Contributed by Jeremiah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.