The group's earliest incarnation included German drummer En Esch and British vocalist Raymond Watts, the latter of whom left and rejoined the group several times over its history. The trio recorded the band's earliest albums in Germany before Konietzko and Esch moved to the United States, where they found much greater success with seminal industrial record label Wax Trax!. German guitarist Günter Schulz joined in 1990; both he and Esch continued with the band until KMFDM broke up in 1999. Konietzko resurrected KMFDM in 2002 (Esch and Schulz declined to rejoin) on Metropolis Records, and by 2005 he had assembled a consistent line-up that included American singer Lucia Cifarelli, British guitarists Jules Hodgson and Steve White, and British drummer Andy Selway. Konietzko and Cifarelli moved back to Germany in 2007, while the rest of band stayed in the U.S. In addition to these core members, dozens of other musicians have worked with the group across its nineteen studio albums and two dozen singles, with sales totaling in excess of two million records worldwide.
Critics consider KMFDM to be one of the first bands to bring industrial music to mainstream audiences, though Konietzko refers to the band's music as "The Ultra-Heavy Beat". The band incorporates heavy metal guitar riffs, electronic music, samples, and both male and female vocals in its music, which encompasses a variety of styles including industrial rock and electronic body music (EBM). The band is fiercely political, with many of its lyrics taking stands against violence, war, and oppression. KMFDM normally tours at least once after every major release, and band members are known for their accessibility to and interaction with fans, both online and at concerts. Members, singly or working together and with other musicians, have recorded under many other names, primarily Watts' PIG, Konietzko's Excessive Force, and Esch and Schulz's Slick Idiot.
KMFDM (Discogs): https://www.discogs.com/artist/11606-KMFDM
KMFDM (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/officialkmfdm
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KMFDM (Official Site): http://www.kmfdm.net
KMFDM (Reddit): https://www.reddit.com/r/kmfdm
KMFDM (SoundCloud): https://soundcloud.com/kmfdm_official
KMFDM (Store): http://kmfdm.fulfillmentmerch.com
KMFDM (Tumblr): https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/kmfdm
KMFDM (Twitter): https://twitter.com/kmfdmofficial
KMFDM (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/user/officialkmfdm
---Current Members---
Sascha Konietzko – vocals, guitar, bass, programming, keyboards, synthesizer, percussion
Lucia Cifarelli – vocals, keyboards
Jules Hodgson – guitar, bass, keyboards
Andy Selway – drums
Steve White – guitar
---Former Members---
En Esch – vocals, drums, guitar, programming
Raymond Watts – vocals, programming
Günter Schulz – guitar, programming
Mark Durante – guitar, steel guitar
Tim Skold – vocals, guitar, bass, drums, programming
Classic KMFDM Discography (1984-1999)
---Studio Albums---
1984 - Opium
1986 - What Do You Know, Deutschland?
1988 - Don't Blow Your Top
1989 - UAIOE
1990 - Naïve
1992 - Money
1993 - Angst
1995 - Nihil
1996 - Xtort
1997 - Symbols
1999 - Adios
---Compilations---
1986 - 84-86 (compilation)
1994 - Naïve/Hell to Go (remix)
1996 - Retro (compilation)
1998 - Agogo (compilation)
---Singles---
1987 - Kickin' Ass
1988 - Don't Blow Your Top
1988 - More & Faster
1989 - Virus
1990 - Godlike
1991 - Naïve + The Days of Swine and Roses (split with My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult)
1991 - Split
1992 - Vogue
1992 - Money
1992 - Help Us/Save Us/Take Us Away
1992 - Sucks
1993 - A Drug Against War
1994 - Light
1994 - Glory
1995 - Juke Joint Jezebel
1995 - Juke Joint Jezebel (The Moroder Mixes)
1995 - Brute
1995 - Trust
1995 - Year of the Pig
1996 - Power
1996 - Rules
1997 - Anarchy
1998 - MDFMK
---Side Projects/Collaborations---
1991 - Excessive Force - Conquer Your House
1992 - Excessive Force - Conquer Your World
1992 - En Esch - Cheesy
1993 - Excessive Force - Blizkrieg
1994 - Excessive Force - Gentle Death
1994 - KMFDM vs. PIG - Sin Sex & Salvation
---Modern KMFDM Discography (2002-present)
---Studio Albums---
2002 - Attak
2003 - WWIII
2005 - Hau Ruck
2007 - Tohuvabohu
2009 - Blitz
2011 - WTF?!
2013 - Kunst
2014 - Our Time Will Come
2017 - Hell Yeah
2019 - Paradise
2022 - HYËNA
2024 - LET GO
---Compilations---
2002 - Strum & Drang Tour Live (live)
2004 - WWIII Live 2003 (live)
2006 - Ruck Zuck (remix)
2008 - Brimborium (remix)
2008 - Extra Vol. 1 (compilation)
2008 - Extra Vol. 2 (compilation)
2008 - Extra Vol. 3 (compilation)
2009 - Krieg (remix)
2010 - Würst (compilation)
2010 - Greatest Shit (compilation)
2014 - We Are KMFDM (live)
---Singles---
2002 - Boots
2010 - Day of Light
2010 - Godlike 2010
2010 - Light 2010
2011 - Krank
2011 - Amnesia
2014 - Salvation
---Side Projects/Collaborations---
2000 - MDFMK - MDFMK
2001 - Schweinstein - Schweinstein
2001 - Slick Idiot - DickNity
2002 - Schweinstein - Son of Schweinstein
2003 - Slick Idiot - ReDickUlous
2004 - Slick Idiot - Screwtinized
2004 - Lucia - From the Land of Volcanoes
2006 - Slick Idiot - xSCREWciating
2006 - KGC - Dirty Bomb
2009 - Slick Idiot - Sucksess
2009 - Skold vs. KMFDM - Skold vs. KMFDM
2011 - OK●ZTEIN●OK - PROLET●KULT
2014 - En Esch - SPÄNK
Rebels In Kontrol
KMFDM Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mother mary underground gutter to the stars
Unchained feral cats in heat
Just who do you think you are?
Rub it up suck it dry dirty
Get your hands in make it clean
Like phoenix from the flame
Rising up lean and mean
Rebels in kontrol
Live the life we know
Don't second-guess the buckshot
Give a damn
Make the rules up as we go
Rebels in kontrol
This is radio KMFDM with breaking news:
KMFDM are in kontrol of all communications media worldwide
All systems have been ripped
The internet has been shut down
All radio and television broadcasting has ceased
The military-industrial complex has surrendered to KMFDM rebel forces
Stealth-fighter possessed
Animal-instinct at its' best
Black panther shark-skin
Natural selection put to the test
Birds bees honey in the hive
Law of nature call of the wild
In for the kill
Dogs in heat
Follow the scent
Wolves to the feast
Made for action built for speed
Make no apologies
What you see is what you get
Walk through the world with a bullet-proof vest
Your political leaders have been detained and are to be tried in kangaroo-courts for their crimes committed against humanity
Käpt'n K. is presiding over an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council in order to instate local interim governments before free and fair elections will be held.
A humane future for the world's population has begun today.
Hasta la victoria siempre
The lyrics to KMFDM's song Rebels In Kontrol describe a group of individuals who embody a rebellious spirit, defying societal norms and expectations. The song begins with a series of provocative and intense descriptors such as, "warrior," "vagabond," "legend," and "whore," challenging the listener to question their preconceived notions of identity. As the song progresses, the message becomes clearer: the Rebel forces are taking control of the world, dismantling existing power structures and asserting their dominance. The chorus, "rebels in kontrol, live the life we know,” encourages listeners to embrace their own rebellious instincts and live life on their own terms.
Throughout the lyrics, there is a sense of wild abandon and sexual energy, with references to "feral cats in heat," "rub it up," and "dogs in heat." These lines evoke images of unbridled passion and a refusal to conform to societal norms. The song culminates in a triumphant declaration of victory, with the Rebel forces taking control of all communications media worldwide and detaining political leaders.
Overall, Rebels In Kontrol is a powerful call to action, urging individuals to embrace their inner rebel and take control of their own lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Warrior vagabond legend whore
People from all walks of life can be effective rebels
Mother mary underground gutter to the stars
Even the powerless and disadvantaged can rise up and rebel
Unchained feral cats in heat
Rebels are passionate, uncontrollable, and free
Just who do you think you are?
Traditional authority figures question the authority and power of rebels
Rub it up suck it dry dirty
Rebels do what it takes to succeed, no matter how unpleasant
Get your hands in make it clean
Rebels are willing to get dirty in order to achieve their goals
Like phoenix from the flame / Rising up lean and mean
Rebels are resilient, able to rise from the ashes of defeat
Rebels in kontrol / Live the life we know / Don't second-guess the buckshot / Give a damn / Make the rules up as we go / Rebels in kontrol
Rebels take charge of their lives, reject traditional authority, and chart their own course
This is radio KMFDM with breaking news: / KMFDM are in kontrol of all communications media worldwide / All systems have been ripped / The internet has been shut down / All radio and television broadcasting has ceased / The military-industrial complex has surrendered to KMFDM rebel forces
The traditional media and military-industrial complex have been defeated by the rebels and are now under their control
Stealth-fighter possessed / Animal-instinct at its' best / Black panther shark-skin / Natural selection put to the test / Birds bees honey in the hive / Law of nature call of the wild / In for the kill / Dogs in heat / Follow the scent / Wolves to the feast
Rebels operate with a primal, instinctual drive, overcoming all obstacles in their path
Made for action built for speed / Make no apologies / What you see is what you get / Walk through the world with a bullet-proof vest
Rebels are fiercely independent, self-sufficient, and ready to take on anything
Your political leaders have been detained and are to be tried in kangaroo-courts for their crimes committed against humanity
The rebels have taken down corrupt political leaders and are seeking justice for their crimes
Käpt'n K. is presiding over an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council in order to instate local interim governments before free and fair elections will be held.
The rebels are working to create a new, fair, and just system of government
A humane future for the world's population has begun today. Hasta la victoria siempre
The rebels aim to create a better world for all, and their victory is certain
Contributed by Samantha P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.