Unitron [symbols] is the tenth studio album from industrial metal band KMFDM. The actual name of the album is five unpronounceable symbols, hence why it is often referred to as simply Symbols in brackets. While Xtort marked the end of the band's string of amazing albums that began with 1992's Money, KMFDM wasn't finished with releasing industrial metal/rock of high quality afterwards.

Xtort showed the band experimenting more, especially on the electronic end of the spectrum. [symbols] continues developing that sound, with less of a focus on the thrash side of their sound than previous offerings. Opener "Megalomaniac" for example, still has metallic guitars, but the techno and various electronic elements begin to come upfront here. It could be called a remix of "Light" from the band's seventh album, Angst, as most of the guitar riffs are somewhat glitched versions of the ones from the aforementioned song.

The majority of the album actually follows in this fashion with the guitar, despite being aggressive, quite often sounding buried under the electronics. That's not to say there aren't some really great tracks here. "Stray Bullet" is on the more melodic side of things, with some quite nice laid-back guitar work that contrasts well with the catchy upbeat techno breakbeats. "Mercy" is another highlight, which has bit of a electro industrial-vibe to it and an infectiously catchy and groovy chorus.

The band does thrash on a few tracks, the two most notable being "Spit Sperm" and "Waste". Both songs pack quite a punch, but the latter especially beats you over the head with chugging riffs. The best part of "Waste" is bassist Abby Travis's vocal performance, which is of a total old-school thrash delivery. It makes me wonder why she was never in a thrash metal act, her vocals just kick so much ass on the aforementioned track.

While a bit inconsistent and a bit of a step down from masterpieces like Angst, Nihil, and Xtort, [symbols] still holds some really great tracks and is certainly no weak album. If you're looking for some industrial metal that relies more on the electronic end of the spectrum, [symbols] would be a great choice. Hope you found this review helpful, feel free to comment!

Unitron Xtort is the ninth studio album from industrial metal band KMFDM. After the band's groundbreaking and successful Nihil in 1995, frontman Sascha Konietzko felt the band got as close to mainstream popularity as he wanted and quickly wanted to have no more of it. Konietzko's friend Jim Nash, founder of the band's label Wax Trax!, was dying of AIDS. Adding on the lack of involvement of core band member En Esch, you can figure that Xtort would be a pretty different and darker release.

As guessed, Xtort certainly is a different and darker album from the previous releases. The band still retains their industrial thrash/industrial dance combo, but there is quite a bit of unique experimentation here. This experimentation is on the electronic/industrial end especially, such as the elements of glitch techno on the politically charged "Dogma". These unsettling glitched out electronics mesh well with the guitar crunch of the chorus and spoken word. "Craze" is another quite experimental track, with more glitching electronics and one of the catchiest and best damn choruses I've ever heard.

The industrial speed/thrash metal of "Apathy" is probably my favorite on the album, and some of the riffing would not sound out of place on a Motorhead album. That combined with the gruff barks of Koniestzko makes this killer track rank up with the band's best. "Rules" is another favorite, and may very well be the band's best dance track. Along with the catchy as hell beat, it's blended with shredding and serene guitar, the two styles of guitar playing creating quite a nice contrast. Also there's some swingin' organ that really adds to the song.

Xtort marks the end of KMFDM's string of masterpieces that began with 1992's Money. Xtort also marked the beginning of a phase where the band would experiment with their electronic side more, whose results varied. While the band would keep going on to release great albums (and another masterpiece later on), Money, Angst, Nihil, and Xtort are some of the best industrial metal albums you'll find. If you want an industrial thrashing, you can't do much better than these. Hope you found this review helpful, feel free to comment!

Unitron Nihil is the eighth studio album from industrial metal/rock band KMFDM.

Continuing on from the aggressive and snarky industrial assault of Angst, KMFDM once again releases another masterpiece and a classic industrial metal album. If you've heard KMFDM at all, chances are that songs from this album are the ones you've heard. Even if you're an industrial metal fan and never heard KMFDM, you've probably seen the iconic cover artwork which appears to be a parody of the famous Mona Lisa.

While Ministry brought industrial music to the mosh pits, KMFDM brought thrash metal to the dance floors as easily seen on this album. Nihil takes the crushing thrash and heavy metal of Angst and blends it incredibly well with the industrial dance of What Do You Know, Deutschland? Just listen to any of the songs on the album and you'll immediately want to head bang and groove to the crushing riffing and the infectious hooks. "Juke-Joint Jezebel" is a perfect example of this sound, and perfectly blends razor-sharp heavy metal and groovy thrashings with one of the catchiest choruses in metal.

"Flesh" is probably my favorite, and has showcases some of the best thrashings on the album. The vocals of Sascha Konietzko and En Esch once again present some of the best sneering vocals on the album, with the latter's performance on "Flesh" especially having a raspy viciousness. "Search & Destroy" is another thrasher with a killer guitar solo and Konietzko's commanding vocal attack. "Brute" showcases more of Konietzko's vocal commands, being somewhat reminiscent of Devin Townsend during the time of classic Strapping Young Lad. Take a listen to the lines of "BRUTAL-IZE ME, I WILL HEAL" and try not to scream along. Dorona Alberti provides excellent vocals on the melodic end, just listen to "Revolution" and "Trust" and you'll hear the best mix of industrial thrash and melody. Konietzko and Alberti's vocals play off of one another perfectly along with the kickass guitar riffs.

Nihil is in every way an industrial classic. This has great melody, crushing thrashings, infectiously catchy hooks, and pissed off vocal sneers all wrapped into one killer album. KMFDM were at the top of their game here, and this is an essential listen for any fans of industrial metal and open-minded thrash fans. Hope you found this review helpful, feel free to comment!

Unitron Angst is the seventh studio album from industrial metal/rock band KMFDM.

After the band released their first masterpiece, Money, the band went on to release masterpieces again and again for quite a while. Angst is the second of these, and showcases not only KMFDM's great skills of variation but also some of the best industrial thrash metal out there.

Like always, the band delivers gritty hard-hitting industrial metal as well as catchy industrial dance tracks. "A Drug Against War" is both among my favorite industrial and thrash metal tracks, as it just stabs you with razor-sharp riffing and will have you chanting 'KMFDM is a drug a against war!' for weeks. Another killer thrasher comes in the form of "Glory", with fist-pumping guitar combined with some killer riff variations. "A Hole in the Wall" is a slow-tempo thrash cut of epic proportions. "Lust" is a top-notch catchy industrial dance number, and shows that the band can bring it to the dance floor as much as they can thrash your skull. There are also some times when they bring majestic heavy metal to an industrial setting such as "Move On".

Vocalists Sascha Konietzko and En Esch give some of their best performances on this album, just check out the stark screams on "A Hole in the Wall". Throughout the rest of the album they really perfect their sneering vocals and really sound pissed off and sardonic at the same time. The lyrics here are among the band's best as well, just look at the lyrics of "A Drug Against War", "Glory", and the humorous "Sucks" with the Primus-esque line of 'No doubt about it, KMFDM sucks'.

Want some killer industrial metal, do yourself a huge favor and check this album out. Industrial, thrash, epic metal, and catchy industrial dance is featured all in one so why not get it all with the same album. The greatness would only continue.

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Unitron Money is the sixth studio album from industrial metal band KMFDM.

Money continues the industrial dance metal of the previous two albums, but comes closer and closer to the band's signature sound. With a delicious mix of heavy/thrash metal riffs, industrial dance, aggrotech, middle eastern scales, killer guitar solos, and a dash of funky licks to taste, Money really combines all of the band's previous elements beautifully.

There's the groovy thrashers like the title cut and the Slayer-esque riffing in "I Will Pray", a bit of industrial funk metal in "Bargeld" that really gets the groovy swing going, and the soulful "Help Us, Save Us, Take Us Away" which is probably my favorite. Dorona Alberti and Sascha Konietzko's vocals compliment each other's vocals really well in this track. Not to mention the aggressive mechanical drum beats, David Gilmour-esque guitar harmonies, and punchy metal riffs. Referring back to the title cut, this is a song with total attitude. The main riff packs a punch, along with the take-no-bullshit vocal rants of Konietzko. "Bargeld" actually kind of sounds like a metal-version of classic Orbital at times.

Money is quite a step-up from the previous album, feeling more focused yet also varied. If you want some killer industrial metal with styles to suit many tastes, check this album out. This album marked the beginning of a long string of masterpieces from the band.

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