KMFDM tours USA in support of new album ‘LET GO’, marking 40 years of the Ultra-Heavy Beat

Iconic music mavericks KMFDM have kicked off their month-long 20-date US tour, launched in support of their new ‘LET GO’ album, recently released via Metropolis Records. Celebrating 40 years of conceptual continuity in grand style, KMFDM is doin’ it again, rising up lean and mean.

‘LET GO’ marks the group’s 23rd studio album, with the core lineup of Sascha “Käpt’n K” Konietzko, Lucia Cifarelli, Andy Selway and Andee Blacksugar presenting their signature onslaught of pulse-pounding rhythms, scorching electronics, blistering guitars, and vocals full of grit, growl, and grind addressing the social, political, and cultural ills of a world in perpetual turmoil.

The album arrives hot on the heels of the banger ‘LET GO’ and the latest single ‘AIRHEAD’ with its accompanying 210 Media-produced video taking us on a sentimental joyride down memory lane through a bygone era of American life.

Defying common definitions and shredding pre-conceived notions about who or what KMFDM is or isn’t genre-wise, this unique gem lyrically harkens back to growing up in America during the 70s and 80s. It’ll have you reminiscing with a wink and a laugh as Lucia Cifarelli sings: “Born the year of the Chia pet – Blondes were in, but I’m brunette – Vietnam and Donkey Kong – I was busy getting high with Cheech & Chong.”

From the driving techno, dance and funk-infused thrust of ‘LET GO’ to the airily melodic and swirling vibes of ‘AIRHEAD’ and ‘TOUCH’, the grooving revolutionary oratory and percolating spaghetti western guitar and glitch-laden synth leads of ‘TURN THE LIGHT ON’ to the sneering and seething riot grrl fury of ‘WHEN THE BELL TOLLS’, the sinister hip-hop injected ‘NEXT MOVE’, the downright cinematic and Teutonic electro of ‘ERLKÖNIG’, and the virulent dub warcry of ‘WW 2023’ – KMFDM continues to break down barriers and immerse audiences in a bold new reality.

Always stylistically diverse, KMFDM continues to bridge the gaps between genres, coalescing into what we know and love as the Ultra Heavy Beat!  Konietzko and Cifarelli prove as vicious a team as ever, equally sharing vocal and lyrical duties, with longtime associate MC Ocelot appearing to give ‘NEXT MOVE’ an extra touch of raucous rap energy. All the while, Blacksugar’s prowess on six-strings continues to awe and astound, backed by Selway’s dynamic drumming, meshing with Konietzko’s masterful programming.

Mixed and mastered by Benjamin Lawrenz (VNV Nation, Deep Purple, Saga, Mono Inc., Lord of the Lost), at Chameleon Recording Studios in Hamburg, ‘LET GO’ signals KMFDM’s 40th anniversary loudly and proudly, with Aidan “BRUTE” Hughes’ distinctive cover artwork mirroring the album’s breakneck power. After four decades, the Ultra Heavy Beat simply refuses to rest in pity and regret, raising a sharpened middle finger at a world in chaos.

The ‘LET GO’ album is out now, available from fine music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. It is also being offered  on CD and as a Limited Edition Vinyl double LP. Tour tickets are available here.

ALBUM CREDITS
Sascha Konietzko – Bass, Beats, Synths & Vocals
Lucia Cifarelli – Vocals
Andy Selway – Drums
Andee Blacksugar – Guitars
MC Ocelot – Rap
Written by Blacksugar, Cifarelli, Konietzko, Selway
Produced by Sascha Konietzko
Recorded  at Kommandozentrale (Hamburg), Swamp Studios (Florida) & Casa Blacksugar (Brooklyn NY)
Mixed by Benjamin Lawrence & Sascha Konietzko
at Chameleon & Kommandozentrale (Hamburg)
Vocals on ‘Airhead’ mixed by Veronica Ferraro
Mastered by Benjamin Lawrence at Chameleon (Hamburg)
Art by BRUTE!
Layout by Chris Zander