KMFDM: Dynamics, Difficulties, and Devising ENEMY

Driven by revolution, industrial metal and electronic beats KMFDM is a global phenomenon founded in 1984. The band have accumulated an astonishing 1.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. KMFDM are widely considered trailblazers on the industrial scene and have continued to write profoundly bold lyricism directed at oppression, political integrity and violence. Their music is a warm embrace from the dance floor enticing you to join in with their revolutionary ideology. Their live performances are no exception with stunning, striking visuals and a shot of unadulterated adrenaline. SASCHA KONIETZKO - or more commonly known as Käpt'n K - is KMFDM’s frontman and co-founder providing listeners with powerful vocals and dynamic performances. So, how does the iconic band operate and what drives the band to write such memorable rhythms?

ENEMY is the band’s twenty third album, continuing the band’s influentially powerful sound with formidable riffs, rapid drumming and groovy electronic elements. SASCHA stated the writing process for ENEMY followed the same process as any other album for KMFDM, with “little ideas” from travelling or simply relaxing which are passed on to the other members of the band. They then began the process of “constantly building up and adding stuff and then taking stuff away, and then changing the arrangement” to build the perfect composition. He also gave an insight into the changing environment of music writing and producing. He declared that you used to have all the work on a mixing console, and you had to finish the mix before you could “strike the board” and start something new. It seems he enjoys the modernisation of technologies, saying “you can work a little bit on this song, a little bit on that song and just really you know take your time and get some distance from it too in the meantime”. SASCHA comedically remarked inspiration came from the “fire inside” and that KMFDM will never be short of ideas finding creativity from everyday life.

GUN QUARTER SUE is the bands first fully instrumental track allowing each musician to show their prowess. It combines aggressive chaotic instruments with groovy beats to make a beautiful balance between their industrial and electronic roots. What drove the band to diversify and make a lyricless masterpiece? SASCHA announced that it is “the soundtrack to a movie that has not yet been made.”. He also released “the movie's already in my hand and the soundtrack is done, so let's go! Start shooting, right?”. The concept of a movie made by the great minds of KMFDM is surely something for fans to look forward to.

KMFDM has a rare band dynamic with two members of the band, SASCHA KONIETZKO, , LUCIA CIFARELLI and the potential addition of ANNABELLA KONIETZKO, being family. ANNABELLA made her songwriting debut on the track YOÜ - surely a proud moment for her parents and a foretelling into the legacy and future of KMFDM. SASCHA proclaimed that working with his daughter was a delightful experience. He explained  “She walked into the studio one day and she liked what she heard and she said she, whilst being downstairs, wrote lyrics for it and a melody, then I said alright, let’s record it.”.  He reported she was certain on the changes she would like made to the track and helped with the track's alterations until it was finished within two to three days. He confessed it was unusual as when he is writing for the band he likes to spend a long time tweaking the songs whereas hers was “boom, out of the box”.

SASCHA admitted he often ponders on the future of KMFDM. He believes they’ve started the next step into the band's evolution with ANNABELLA being the forefront of that future. He foresees the band becoming a generational band with her already taking the steps from “studying to become a sound engineer” and proudly declaring that she “has a great voice”. He seems to hold high expectations for his daughter stating “The future does not necessarily belong to the mediocre. So, you know, go for it, girl.”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AnGCxfKmQA

The band operates internationally with drums in Florida, USA, guitars in England and the rest of the band in Hamburg, Germany. The band doesn’t operate in the conventional sense of writing and rehearsing together in person, the band sends ideas overnight to receive something to be added at a later date. SASCHA claims writing is not "necessarily a democratic type of thing where you know somebody says ‘oh, the drums need to be louder’ I am the producer, and I decide how loud the drums are going to be. So, sorry that’s the way it is”. He explains somebody in a band must be responsible and that always falls to him. He also noted that the responsibility comes very naturally to him. 

The band has been a strong predominant figure on the industrial scene and has sure influenced young bands looking for that breakthrough. What advice would a legendary legacy band bestow onto those looking to join them? “If you believe you have it, then keep at it. It doesn’t only need talent but it needs tenacity. It needs a certain amount of stoicism. And a ton of luck!”. He proclaimed bands simply need to be in the right place at the right time and that’s what likely aided KMFDM's journey. With so many incredible voices out there it seems imperative to do your “own thing” and keep at it. He raised a good point by asking “what is it to make it, I mean in nowadays world you know?”. Suggesting bands should almost make their own goals to achieve in order to feel accomplishment. 

From a ferocious hyena, to beautiful warrior women, KMFDM’s albums maintain intricate cover art ripped straight from a comic book. The art is made by none other than AIDAN HUGHES or otherwise known as BRUTE!. In a conversation between the two about ENEMY, SASCHA pitched “a fight between a beautiful creature and another beautiful creature [an octopus]”. He stated that in recent years the art was a long discussion over concepts for albums but for ENEMY the original sketch was “spot on”. It is nice to see a band commit to an artist and see continuity between albums to make an instantly recognisable cover.  

UK fans are patiently awaiting the bands return, and it seems that it is the cards but not without its trials. He stated that he would love to return to the UK and that he is missing playing here, however it’s not as easy as it was. Bands now must apply for visas, bring assistance and hope someone is manning border stations so that you can arrive at a show on time - which all come at a cost. He shares how easy it is to travel in other European countries as bringing equipment is much simpler and sometimes you don’t even require a passport. However he left with a reassuring statement of “we’re working on it, for sure”. 

SASCHA provided an honest insight into what being a band was like and proved KMFDM is going nowhere with new music always on their horizon. It seems ENEMY is just the tip of the iceberg for the band’s future endeavours and fans should be ready for what’s next. Finally, SASCHA left some wisdom to global KMFDM listeners “you know, wake up, don't believe the bullshit, think for yourself and choose the right side”. 

KMFDM released their 23rd studio album ENEMY on the 6th of February 2026 and will embark on their rescheduled Europe tour in August to celebrate it, with further dates in March 2027.

Words: Alix England

Photos: KMFDM, Aidan "Brute!" Hughes

With thanks to: Red Sand PR and KMFDM