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
KMFDM (MySpace): https://myspace.com/officialkmfdm
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
Witness
KMFDM Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alteration of destiny
Surrendering to my ultimate destiny
The spaceship will come to take us away
Out of the orbit and into the light
We're gonna be picked up and sent on a flight
Get ready to join us
Escape the destruction enjoy the abduction
I will always praise my maker
I will always return to my taker
I will never be a faker
I will never be a forsaker
They are visitng us for their genetic testing
I don't think it's such a blessing
But then again how can I know
I must not judge so much
You know
The message I got is simple and easy
When we got on the spaceship we must not flip
We have to be fearless it helps to keep smiling
Are you reeady to join us
Avoid the testing and be with the master
Surrender bend over
Immortality
Mortality
I am unsterblich
Sterblich
I'm a witness
Be fearless...
The lyrics of KMFDM's song "Witness" describe a scenario in which the singer believes that extraterrestrial beings are coming to Earth to take individuals away to be genetically tested. Although the singer is unsure whether this is a "blessing" or not, they urge listeners to "be fearless" and "surrender" to their ultimate destiny. The song includes references to alternating "interplanetary frequencies" and escaping "destruction" through abduction. Ultimately, the singer expresses a desire to remain true to themselves and not be a "forsaker" or "faker."
On a deeper level, the song can be read as a commentary on the search for meaning and a higher power. The extraterrestrial beings represent an unknown force that has the power to alter the course of individuals' lives. The singer's call to surrender and embrace their fate suggests a sense of helplessness or resignation in the face of the unknown. However, the lyrics also emphasize the importance of maintaining a sense of self and moral integrity, even in the face of such uncertainty.
Overall, "Witness" is a complex exploration of themes such as destiny, mortality, and the search for meaning in a seemingly chaotic universe.
Line by Line Meaning
Inter planetary frequency
The frequencies being broadcasted or received from another planet
Alteration of destiny
Changing the course of fate or destination through extraterrestrial means
Surrendering to my ultimate destiny
Submitting to the inevitable outcome predetermined by the beings from another world
The spaceship will come to take us away
An extraterrestrial craft will arrive to transport us from Earth
Out of the orbit and into the light
Leaving the Earth's orbit to journey into space and towards the unknown
We're gonna be picked up and sent on a flight
We will be taken by the spaceship and flown away
Get ready to join us
Prepare yourself to leave Earth and embark on the spaceship
Escape the destruction enjoy the abduction
Flee from the destruction on Earth and enjoy the experience of being taken by extraterrestrial beings
Surrender Supernova
Yield to the power and force of the supernova, which is symbolic of the power held by the extraterrestrial beings
I will always praise my maker
Showing gratitude and admiration towards the creator or originator of the extraterrestrial technology
I will always return to my taker
Acknowledging that the extraterrestrial beings have control and will likely return for us in the future
I will never be a faker
Swearing not to be deceitful or dishonest about the extraterrestrial encounter
I will never be a forsaker
Pledging not to desert or abandon the idea of being taken by the extraterrestrial beings
They are visitng us for their genetic testing
The extraterrestrial beings are investigating or experimenting with human DNA
I don't think it's such a blessing
Having doubts about the extraterrestrial encounter and its potential outcomes
But then again how can I know
Questioning the ability to truly comprehend and understand the extraterrestrial beings' intentions and actions
I must not judge so much
Realizing the limited perspective and inability to fully comprehend the situation
You know
Emphasizing the shared understanding or knowledge between one another
The message I got is simple and easy
The communication or message received from the extraterrestrial beings is straightforward and uncomplicated
When we got on the spaceship we must not flip
Staying calm and composed during the journey on the extraterrestrial craft
We have to be fearless it helps to keep smiling
Courage and fearlessness are important qualities to possess during the extraterrestrial experience and could be aided by maintaining a positive attitude
Are you ready to join us
Asking if the listener is prepared to leave Earth and join the extraterrestrial beings
Avoid the testing and be with the master
Advising to avoid the genetic testing and instead seek out the extraterrestrial being in charge or with the most knowledge
Surrender bend over
Submitting entirely to the power and authority of the extraterrestrial beings
Immortality
The potential to achieve eternal life, which could theoretically be granted by the extraterrestrial beings
Mortality
The inevitability of death as a human being
I am unsterblich
Asserting the potential for immortality through the extraterrestrial experience
Sterblich
Acknowledging that as humans, we are subject to mortality
I'm a witness
Stating that the artist has personally witnessed and experienced the extraterrestrial encounter
Be fearless...
Emphasizing the importance of bravery and courage during the extraterrestrial encounter
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: NINA HAGEN, SASCHA KONIETZKO, TIM SKOLD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind