Album Review: Kill Her First – Künstliche Freiheit (KROD Records / Coretex Records)

Kill Her First, the German hardcore metal band, will release their brand-new album, ‘Künstliche Freiheit’ on November 29th, 2024, through KROD Records and Coretex Records. ‘Künstliche Freiheit’ is a record for anti-heroes, the disenfranchised, the marginalized, the empowered, allies and optimists. Kill Her First makes a point to not give up and to keep striving for the light – despite all worldly and spiritual reasons for frustration.

Wait, what? That might be the first words that enter your head upon hearing opening track, Repetition and that’s simply because of the electronica beat that introduces things. It’s not quite what you expect from Kill Her First, but it’s the first sign that this album is them being a little more experimental. Yet, this works, because the track is about stagnation (alongside a warning about repeating history). Rest assured though; it still delivers a hardy anthemic sound that grooves with heavy energy.

The exciting experimentation continues into M.F. Society, as Kill Her First continue to fuse genres together in clever ways. A brash showcase of heavy hip-hop, nu-metal, and hardcore head banging with an ending that will have every listener shouting along passionately. Something that is also heavily notable in the groovy intensity of Tyler Durden (yes, it’s Fight Club inspired), its stompy moments, and big melodic vocals. Before the halfway point of the album comes with a strong statement against misogyny and femicide called Burden.

This is one of the album’s best. Showcasing brilliant, varied vocals, thrilling melodic punk-infused energy, a chorus that is very easy to sing along to, and even a blistering guitar solo. Kill Her First at their absolute finest and a hearty moment to remember just how good this band can be.

Not that there’s anything to complain about with a track like Guardians with its anthemic chorus and sharp lyrical criticism of the antics of modern media. The heaviness of this track is so damn good. Whereas Heirloom might be the most experimental of all, beginning in such soft fashion, ballad like, before transforming into a robust alternative sounding foot tapper with bursts of savage sounding intensity. Wholly unique, and an absolute treat for the ears.

Credit where credit is due, Kill Her First have gone the ‘all killer, no filler’ route with this album, and before its brilliance even has time to fully sink in, it’s over. The penultimate track, S/W, changing the vocal formula up with German lyrics and delivering a banging breakdown. Before Thank You wraps the record up with a delightful ray of sunshine that comes in the form of a pop-punk anthem. Kill Her First showing their gratitude to all that support them and have ensured that this record even exists. It’s a smile-inducing closing track to an album that delivers on all fronts. Kill Her First expanding on their sound, extending their legacy, and ensuring satisfaction all round.

Kill Her First – Künstliche Freiheit Track Listing:

1. Repetition
2. M.F. Society
3. Tyler Durden
4. Burden
5. Guardians
6. Heirloom
7. S/W
8. Thank You

Links

Spotify | Deezer | Apple Music | Instagram | Facebook | KROD Records