:wumpscut: - "Fuckit"

wumpscut_fuckitrating-2.0Label: Metropolis Records/Beton Kopf Media
Year: 2009

When I had asked most people what they thought of the new :wumpscut: album I was usually met with the reply of "they have a new album?" For those living in the United States it's not hard to believe that industrial and EBM music isn't on the pop charts or receiving radio play. So of course I wasn't surprised that people hadn't heard of it. In fact the nearest retail location to me that even carried the album was a Hot Topic. Most people interested in this form of music don't want to be seen stepping foot into there. Not caring about the petty stigma, I stepped right up and purchased my own copy.

I was excited, anxious and impatient. The package was open the moment I got into my car and it was playing as I pulled out of the parking lot. Little did I know my excitement was going to be met with disappointment. The album started off with promise; I swear it did! After the first track I thought I was about to be wowed. I was already in love with the cover art that was reminiscent of Bolshevik propaganda; but the allure didn't last long.

As the album progressed I began to feel like something had gone wrong; that perhaps something was missing. Did :wumpscut: devolve? Was the album title more than just a last resort catchphrase attached to the album or did it have some sick meaning that you would only get after buying it?

I made a mental check list:

  • Spooky and ethereal synth? - Check!
  • Stomping beats? - Check!
  • Angry lyrics? - Check!
  • Rudy moving you with all the above?

I was unmoved. Rudy Ratzinger's music typically stimulates my imagination and makes me want to dance. Not once did I imagine dancing to one song or imagine anyone hounding the DJ to hear any of these tracks. It felt as if the title Fuckit was just that. Fuck it. I wondered if he was being lazy or if this was his one time disappointment amongst a plethora of outstanding projects and albums?

Rudy Ratzinger began as a DJ in Bavaria in the early 1990's and was inspired to make a shift from playing music to making music. I am sure he had no idea that he would set a standard in his genre and become an inspiration to many musicians. He more than likely never imagined the fan status he would receive in the U.S. club scene and around the world.

Most unfortunately, after over 40 CD releases under Metropolis Records and Beton Kopf Media, I am seeing a lot of fans disappointed. Ratzinger has never toured as :wumpscut: and probably never will. It would be a financial disaster if he toured for  this album.

Despite the inefficacy of this album, I was amused by the end track "Gulag". The song is a dedication, it seems, or a musical interpretation of the punishment handed down to Max in the movie Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Complete with samples from the movie, it does make a good ending to this album full of short, repetitious songs with less-than-titillating lyrics.

I didn't expect :wumpscut: to one-up previous accomplishments; but I did expect the one-man-music-machine to once again pull his listeners in and make the rest of the world disappear.

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