After the release of their come-back album in 2002, ATTAK, industrial pioneers KMFDM set out on a highly anticipated and successful US tour. Approximately 30,000 loyal fans turned out to capacity filled venues as KMFDM invaded city after city. After 31 shows in 34 days, founding member Sascha Konietzko had enough material recorded to put together a comprehensive live record – their first non-bootleg live album ever. What makes this live record monumental for the influential and innovative group was the presence of another original accomplice, Raymond “Pig” Watts – who also participated on ATTAK- joining the tour whose presence was a welcome re-addition. Pig, who hadn’t played live with the band since leaving in the mid-eighties to pursue a solo career, gives the record a multi dimensional atmosphere.
Sturm & Drang captures KMFDM during the Midwest portion of the tour as the band descended upon Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago. The disc is – as one would expect – high energy, rowdy, and assertive. While comprised of mostly KMFDM songs, four from their latest record, Watts takes control of the microphone on a couple of Pig numbers, “Find It Fuck It Forget It” and “Hot Hole”. The MDFMK non-album single “Megalomaniac” fires up the crowd as the group continues their throbbing molestation of anarchy. The industrial giants also assault the audience with an uncompromising rendition of “Boots”, originally sung by Nancy Sinatra in 1966.
The tracks on this live compilation were hand picked by the discerning ear of Sascha Konietzko. The result is KMFDM at their very best as they breath new life into each and every song. If you missed them this past summer, never fear, it seems this is one band that refuses to die.