“Die Urkatastrophe” by Kanonenfieber: A Powerful Tribute to the Forgotten Faces of War
The opening notes echo the somber tones of Reichstagspräsident Kaempf’s fateful address at the dawn of the First World War. His words, delivered with the weight of impending doom, now reverberate through Kanonenfieber’s latest album “Die Urkatastrophe” (English: “the original catastrophe”), which was meticulously crafted at Kohlekeller Studio with producer Kristian Kohle. Known for his work with Powerwolf and Aborted, Kohle ensures that the album’s sound is as powerful as its message, creating a dense and immersive production where every note, scream, and drumbeat draws the listener deeper into the album’s grim narrative.
Die Urkatastrophe is more than just an album—it’s a historical document, a sonic memorial dedicated to the 17 million lives lost in the Great War. Kanonenfieber, spearheaded by the enigmatic Noise, crafts these songs from a collage of factual reports, letters, and other wartime documents, creating an aural tapestry that is both deeply personal and universally tragic. The album’s narrative is unflinchingly brutal in its stark, unembellished portrayal of war’s true nature.
Kanonenfieber’s intention for the concept album is clear: to serve as a harrowing reminder of the horrors that war brings, stripping away any romanticized notions of heroism. This is music as a form of education—a way to keep the memories of those who suffered alive, not as statistics, but as individuals. The choice of formats—ranging from limited edition vinyl to a digital release—further speaks to the band’s commitment to making this historical experience as accessible as possible. The physical editions, with their detailed artwork and accompanying booklets, offer a tactile connection to the era, perfectly complementing the music and the story it tells.
A Track-by-Track Descent Into the Horrors of War
The album opens with “Grossmachtfantasie,” an ominous intro incorporating the aforementioned speech by Johannes Kaempf at the start of the war. Evoking the fevered dreams of empires and the insanity that fuelled their ambitions. This is followed by “Menschenmühle,” a track whose very title (“Human Mill”) suggests the grinding, relentless destruction of life that characterized the war. Here, the instrumentation is oppressive, mirroring the suffocating dread of the trenches. Anyone who has witnessed this song performed live can attest to the incredible impact of its lyrics and music, especially the chilling line ‘Deutschland, Deutschland Vaterland – Mordeslust im Wahnverstand’.
The melodic yet blasting second track ‘Sturmtrupp’ is a sonic homage to the German stormtroopers, capturing the ferocity and chaos of trench warfare. The band masterfully blends aggressive riffs with haunting melodies.
Next the album reaches “Der Maulwurf,” a track that has been released as a single with an accompanying music video. The listener is plunged into the grim reality of underground mine warfare that began in the fall and winter of 1914. The rhythm of this track echoes that of the digging, but not in a happy “Diggy Diggy Hole” way. It sounds more like they are digging their own graves. This strong midtempo track with catchy refrain will be great for live shows (and lucky for us, Kanonenfieber is on tour at end of the year!)
Here a some gems from the youtube comment-section:
‘Lviv zu Lemberg’ offers a great up-tempo track with some nice guitar shredding and relentless blastbeats. This track not only keeps the album’s momentum going but also demonstrates the band’s technical prowess
“Waffenbrüder,” featuring Maik Weichert of Heaven Shall Burn with a guitar solo, is notable not just for its guest appearance but for its poignant exploration of the bonds forged in battle. While it’s a solid and well-crafted song with a catchy refrain, it doesn’t quite reach the intensity of some of the more gripping tracks on the album.
“Gott mit der Kavallerie” immerses you in the chaos of WWI cavalry charges. Its heavy, driving sound – the haunting clatter, whinnying of horses and artillery-like drums create a cinematic experience. The track pays homage to the forgotten equine victims of the war, reminding us of the tragic toll it took on both men and their mounts.
“Panzerhenker” is a powerful tribute to J. Krüger, a legendary German soldier who became known as the “Panzerhenker” during the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. The song captures the intensity and chaos of the battle, as well as the bravery and determination of Krüger, who single-handedly destroyed numerous British tanks. The track`s powerful, impactful sounds mimic the relentless force of battle and promise some serious neck breaking during live shows.
“Ritter der Lüfte” is a more straightforward track compared to some of the album’s more experimental songs. While it doesn’t offer the same level of surprise or innovation, it still captures the theme of aerial warfare in World War I.
“Verdun” abruptly transitions from a contemplative poetic quote to the next explosive track “Ausblutungsschlacht,” marking the album’s dramatic climax. The spoken word excerpt from Philipp Scheidemann’s historic speech calling for an end to the war adds crucial historical context, creating an effective contrast with Kaempf’s speech in the album’s intro. It’s a potent track that encapsulates everything Kanonenfieber excels at.
The album concludes with the serene “Als die Waffen kamen”. This acoustic track, featuring vocals, guitar, and violin, offers a peaceful respite and a fitting end to this emotional journey. But we, the listeners, are keenly aware that this peace marks only a temporary lull, before history was doomed to repeat itself.
Conclusion: A Call to Remember
For those who dare to listen, Die Urkatastrophe offers a powerful and poignant reflection on one of the darkest chapters of human history. It’s an album that ensures the nameless and faceless are not forgotten—a musical monument standing against the glorification of war.
In the album’s opening, we hear: “Aus den Augen unserer Brüder und unserer Söhne blickt der alte deutsche Kampfesmut.” No band captures the tragic shift from that “Kampfesmut” to “Kapitulationsbereitschaft” quite like Kanonenfieber. War, it turns out, is far from glorious. This album, however, is.
Review by: Tabitha
Rating: 10/10
Recordlabel: Century Media Records
Release date: September 20th 2024
Tracklist:
01 – Grossmachtfantasie
02 – Menschenmühle
03 – Sturmtrupp
04 – Der Maulwurf
05 – Lviv zu Lemberg
06 – Waffenbrüder feat. Maik Weichert of Heaven Shall Burn
07 – Gott mit der Kavallerie
08 – Panzerhenker
09 – Ritter der Lüfte
10 – Verdun
11 – Ausblutungsschlacht
12 – Als die Waffen kamen
