The Belasco in Los Angeles was incinerated on May 17th as industrial rock heavyweights KMFDM and special guests Chant took the stage for an unforgettable night of mind melting music that challenged the brain and stirred the soul. The sold-out show was a celebration of all things loud and aggressive, and fans from all walks of life were fired up to see Sascha Konietzko and company light up the stage in the City of Angels. Pound for pound, one of the best live performances I have seen in 2023.
Chant kicked off the night with their heavy, tribal sound, drawing the crowd in with driving rhythms and hypnotic vocals. The band’s intense energy was infectious, and it didn’t take long for the entire audience to be swept up in the pounding beats. Frontman Bradley Bills commanded the stage with his presence and soaring vocals, delivering a performance that was equal parts raw power and emotional intensity.
As the night went on, the energy in the room only continued to build. When KMFDM took the stage, the crowd erupted into an instant frenzy. The band wasted no time launching into their signature blend of industrial metal, punk, and techno, delivering hit after hit with relentless energy and precision. Singer Sascha Konietzko was a force to be reckoned with, prowling the stage and growling out lyrics with a ferocity that left no doubt about his dedication to the music and fans. This was gonna be fun!
The setlist was a tour de force, featuring classic tracks like “A Drug Against War” and “Godlike,” as well as newer material from the band’s latest album, Hyëna (2022). Throughout it all, the crowd sang along and moshed with abandon, feeding off the band’s electrifying energy and returning it tenfold. But it wasn’t just the music that made the night memorable. The entire production was a feast for the senses with stunning visuals and lighting effects that added an extra layer of intensity to the already explosive performance. The stage was bathed in swirling lights, smoke, and strobes, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that perfectly complemented the music’s dark, aggressive sound.
Throughout the set, KMFDM kept the energy high, never letting up for a moment. The band members were clearly having a blast on stage, smiling and interacting with each other and the audience between songs. Guitarist Andee Blacksugar was a standout, shredding through solos with ease and adding an extra layer of aggression to the already heavy sound. Lucia Cifarelli was as sexy as ever, and that voice captivated the capacity crowd from her very first note. And keeping the rhythm was none other than drummer extraordinaire Andy Selway—this cat is a percussion genius and definitely a force to be reckoned with behind the skins.
The show wrapped as ferociously as it started with one of my favorites, “Paradise,” and it highlighted just how amazing KMFDM and founder Sascha Konietzko still are. He truly is the Godfather of industrial music—no ifs. ands, or buts about it. In short, the KMFDM and Chant concert in Los Angeles was an unforgettable night of music and energy that left no doubt about the power of industrial rock.
CHANT
