DIESELKOPF
USE THE MACHINE FOR YOUR OWN SICK PURPOSE
ALBUM B A R RELEASE: LATE JULY, 1999 REVIEW: JULY 30, 1999
The guys in the Swedish industrial band Dieselkopf are obviously pissed off
with the way modern society works. Unfortunately the album doesn't come with
any printed lyrics and the vocals are often distorted well beyond any
possibility of recognition. The anger comes through quite clearly - the
grinding guitars seem intent on moving down any resistance - but the target
of the anger remains invisible. So next time, please print the lyrics.
Dieselkopf play extremely harsh techno thrash - merciless and without any
unnecessary finesse.
After getting the chorus of "It's a Lie" hammered into my head a couple of
times I just stop caring. As a listener, I need some breathing space. Nine
Inch Nails and Ministry both have the sense to provide moments of beauty and
variations in tempo even on their most violent albums. This is just too much
of the same relentless sonic violence pressed on one little piece of
plastic.
Dieselkopf is probably more interesting as a live band, apparently using
lots of pyrotechnics, film and other effects. The live situation should be a more
suitable environment for this kind of highly explosive music. But to reach
out to serious listeners, I think Dieselkopf needs to find a more balanced
sound.
MATTIAS HUSS