K.I.F.O.T.H.
- Spectaclebreakers
Songs: 9 Time: 46:10
I've heard about K.I.F.O.T.H. (Kneel
in Front of the Executioner) for a few years now and I've been treated to
several samples of their style on various compilations, but it wasn't until
recently that I managed to get my hands on a copy of their debut CD,
Spectaclebreakers. This 9-track album displays the awesome power and
control that this Slovak duo has harnessed within their music. Granted, at
times the vocals sound a tad too much like Project Pitchfork's Spilles,
but beyond that the music itself is stupendous. Imagine the complexity of
Velvet Acid Christ combined with the darkness of early era Leæther Strip
and the diverse rhythm structures of Front Line Assembly and you'll begin
to have a vague idea of what K.I.F.O.T.H. delivers on the first track, In
Front of the Gate. After that the album does not slide downhill, but
remains steady in its diversity and intricacy. Even with the 'Star Trek'
samples, Crucified Thief is another example of the musical skill that
K-head and mir Colon hold in their power. Whirring sounds, collapsing beat
programming, and ominous synth patterns are abound in Painspeech. Some
well-placed breaks, wildly diverse beat structures, and various vocal styles
keep this track alive listen after listen. Gripped Illusion begins as a
slower, more moody piece, but as the track progresses, the rhythm becomes more
steadfast and the overall programming becomes more aggressive. Agonyxin
is a sample-based piece with some nice, less abrasive musical elements. In my
opinion this track should have been placed at the end of the CD, as it would
have made a nice 'wind-down' piece. Confession is another slower piece,
riddled with 'Crow' samples (which have been a bit overused in the past by
various other musicians already.) Although there are some really groovy music
elements going on in this piece, it's these samples that really lower my opinion
of this track. The final piece, Belief, suffers from the same 'Crow'
samples as Confession. This track reminds me of how many Dementia Simplex
tracks begin, slow and with an abundance of samples. The synth programming is
dark, the beats are flattened and pushed towards the back, and the vocals are
twisted and approaching Ogre like in delivery. Although there are a few down
points on this CD, Spectaclebreakers still breaks through as on of the best
debuts I've ever heard. It will be very interesting to see what K.I.F.O.T.H. do
one their next effort.
K.I.F.O.T.H.
is:
K-head / mir Colon
Contact
K.I.F.O.T.H. @
e-mail:
marcel.cibik@trv.eu.sony.co.jp
K.I.F.O.T.H.
homepage:
http://www.mtf.stuba.sk/~sochor/kifoth.htm
1) In Front of the Gate
2) Crucified Thief 3) Painspeech
4) Reconciliation 5)
Gripped Illusion 6) Agonyxin
7) Confession
8) Preparation 9) Belief