On September 20th, blackened death metal outfit Kanonenfieber will release their sophomore album, Die Urkatastrophe, via Century Media Records.
Kanonenfieber explains about the back story of “Der Maulwurf”: “Underground mine warfare also began in the fall/winter of 1914 with the start of the trench warfare. The pioneers employed to build the mine shafts worked 12-hour shifts, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Apart from the miserable oxygen supply, the so-called ‘moles’ had to contend with water ingress and burial. The low tunnels made it impossible to work standing up, which is why the miners soon complained of back problems, open knees and hands and trench foot disease. Miners who worked for long periods of time often suffered from mental illnesses and panic attacks as a result of their work.”
Regarding Die Urkatastrophe – “The First World War accelerated the path to modernity and is considered the ‘Die Urkatastrophe’ (= ‘primal catastrophe’) of the 20th century, which was characterized by wars, violence and displacement. Around 17 million people, soldiers and civilians lost their lives, large parts of Europe were destroyed and unresolved problems were left behind, which led to further violent conflicts. This album is dedicated to the victims of the First World War, so they are not forgotten. May their fates be a warning for all following generations even after more than 100 years,” says Noise, who records all instruments in the studio and who is also responsible for the concept of Kanonenfieber.
As with its predecessor, Kanonenfieber‘s second album Die Urkatastrophe is based on factual reports, letters and original documents from the surviving and deceased soldiers from the First World War. Its intent is not to glorify, because there is no glory in war. Everyone loses – their lives, their souls, their humanity. War is often depicted in an abstract way, through numbers and statistics. Kanonenfieber aim to tell the stories of the nameless and the faceless in order to allow for a small glimpse of their personal horrors, and thereby the larger scale horror for mankind as a whole.
Kanonenfieber‘s black and death metal isn’t meant to solely entertain, but also educate and raise awareness against the glorification of war. Die Urkatastrophe was recorded with Kristian Kohle (Powerwolf, Aborted, Benighted and many more) at Kohlekeller Studio, and features guitarist Maik Weichert of Heaven Shall Burn on the song “Waffenbrüder”.
About Kanonenfieber
Germany’s Kanonenfieber released their first album, Menschenmühle, in 2021. Since then the band played several highly successful tours and their elaborate, dramatic live shows shook crowds and left them speechless at renowned festivals such as Hellfest (FR), Summer Breeze (D), Full Force (D), Rockharz (D), Party.San (D) or Dong Open Air (D).
Kanonenfieber is the brainchild of Noise, who writes and records all of their music. For live shows he is accompanied by friends who allow him to focus on taking care of the vocals and the bombastic stage performance.
Noise started Kanonenfieber in 2020 after reading through his deceased great-grandfather’s diary that he wrote at the frontlines during the Second World War. Apart from memories, it was the only thing left of him. A hobby historian and friend of Noise transferred the diary from the original Sütterlin which was gifted as a book to Noise’s grandmother – his great-grandfather’s daughter. When Noise read through the bone chilling first-hand accounts, it became clear that he wanted to dedicate his art to commemorating the countless victims of war in general. The concept that was drafted together with his friend largely hinges on authenticity, with lyrics and linguistics based on reports, letters and other historical documents.
The band members including Noise and his live band are deliberately kept anonymous which works as a reference to the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier”: monuments in various countries worldwide that commemorate soldiers killed in wars. The horrors of war are universal.
Die Urkatastrophe track-listing:
- Grossmachtfantasie
- Menschenmühle
- Sturmtrupp
- Der Maulwurf
- Lviv zu Lemberg
- Waffenbrüder
- Gott mit der Kavallerie
- Panzerhenker
- Ritter der Lüfte
- Verdun
- Ausblutungsschlacht
- Als die Waffen kamen
Starting this month, Kanonenfieber will support Amon Amarth and Insomnium before embarking on an extensive European tour soon after Die Urkatastrophe‘s release. See below for all dates!
Kanonenfieber live 2024
Aug. 19, 2024 – (IT) Lignano-Sabbiadoro – Arena Alpe Adria (with Amon Amarth, Insomnium)
Aug. 20, 2024 – (AT) Innsbruck – Dogana (with Amon Amarth, Insomnium)
Aug. 22, 2024 – (DE) Saarbrücken – Saarlandhalle (with Amon Amarth, Insomnium)
Aug. 23, 2024 – (DE) Giessen – Kloster Schiffenberg (with Amon Amarth, Insomnium)
Aug. 24, 2024 – (NL) Utrecht – Tivoli Vredenburg (with Amon Amarth, Insomnium)
Sept. 20, 2024 – (DE) Weimar – Herbstoffensive
Sept. 21, 2024 – (DE) Munich – Backstage
Nov. 8, 2024 – (DE) Berlin – War Against War
Contra proudly presents:
Kanonenfieber tour 2024
Nov. 16, 2024 – (DE) Leipzig – Hellraiser
Nov. 17, 2024 – (PL) Gdansk – Drizzly Grizzly
Nov. 19, 2024 – (AT) Vienna – Flex
Nov. 20, 2024 – (HU) Budapest – Barba Negra
Nov. 21, 2024 – (PL) Krakow – Hype Park
Nov. 22, 2024 – (CZ) Prague – Club Storm
Nov. 23, 2024 – (DE) Oberhausen – Turbinenhalle
Nov. 24, 2024 – (NL) Utrecht – De Helling
Nov. 26, 2024 – (UK) London – The Dome
Nov. 27, 2024 – (FR) Paris – Petit Bain
Nov. 28, 2024 – (CH) Pratteln – Z7 Konzertfabrik
Nov. 29, 2024 – (AT) Dornbirn – Conrad Sohm
Nov. 30, 2024 – (BE) Kortrijk – DVG Club
Dec. 2, 2024 – (SE) Stockholm – Kollektivet Livet
Dec. 3, 2024 – (NO) Oslo – John Dee
Dec. 4, 2024 – (DK) Copenhagen – Pumpehuset
Dec. 5, 2024 – (DE) Magdeburg – Factory
Dec. 6, 2024 – (DE) Bremen – Aladin
Dec. 7, 2024 – (DE) Frankfurt – Batschkapp
Dec. 8, 2024 – (DE) Nuremberg – Hirsch
Kanonenfieber online:
https://www.youtube.com/@kanonenfieber.official
