Angst (KMFDM album)

Angst is the sixth studio album by German industrial band KMFDM, released on 12 October 1993 by Wax Trax! Records.

Background

Bandmates Sascha Konietzko and En Esch began working together again after splitting up during the recording of their previous album, Money. Konietzko had moved to Seattle in 1993, while Esch had moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. Angst was the first album the band recorded in America with new engineer Chris Shepard, after recording their first six albums in Hamburg, the previous four of which had all been engineered by Blank Fontana. Angst also marked the first appearance of steel guitarist Mark Durante, whose presence made a noticeable impact on the band's sound, moving it towards a more guitar-driven style. TVT director of sales and marketing Paul Burgess said, "We decided to work them not like a typical dance-rock artist, but like a serious rock band, and it has crossed over to metal and commercial alternative this time." In addition to the studio lineup, guitarist Mike Jensen was brought along for the live shows to duplicate the heavy sound of the album.

The album had sold 20,000 copies by February 1994, A digitally remastered reissue of Angst was released by Metropolis Records on 21 November 2006.

Reception

Andy Hinds of AllMusic said KMFDM had reached their full potential on the album. He called "A Drug Against War" "the band's most over-the-top moment to date" Colin Larkin said Angst "perfected the band's aggressive fusion of pounding electro rhythms and screeching guitars." Angst was given a Silver Salute by CMJ New Music Report in 2003, with Brad Filicky saying, "KMFDM managed to make people laugh, even as they were checking under their beds for monsters and finding the inspiration to plug their guitars into a MIDI unit."

Track listing

Personnel

Musicians

Sascha Konietzko – vocals, bass, keyboards, programming
En Esch – vocals, guitars
Günter Schulz (as Svet Am) – guitars, piano ("The Problem")
Mark Durante – guitars

Additional personnel

Dorona Alberti – vocals ("Light", "Lust", "Move On", "No Peace", "The Problem")
Christine Siewert – vocals ("Blood (Evil Mix)")
Bruce Breckenfeld – Hammond B3 organ ("No Peace")