Anarchy

This song isn't that tough to understand, especially if you know KMFDM's or Tim Skold's politics. They are of the anarcho-syndicalist/libertarian socialist persuasion (with a little bit of a Trotskyist streak), and that is the sort of "anarchy" that they are referring to here. The song itself, however, is a condemnation of all statist governments and movements (whether monarchical, theocratic, nationalist, fascist, or communist). It's also a warning to all would-be revolutionaries that they must be vigilant, because they might be following leaders who will be just as bad as (or worse than) the same oppressors that they overthrew. In other words, an "Animal Farm"-type situation.

Most people here have correctly interpreted the first part of the song, which is easy enough to understand: It describes the mindset of an individual who feels disaffected and angry, and they blame the society around them (and the government) for their suffering. Regardless of whether this perception is right or wrong, the important thing is that this individual's mentality is shared by many others in the same society. They all feel oppressed, they all have grievances, and they all have reached the point where they feel as though they have nothing to lose by taking up arms and overthrowing the established order. So they join revolutionary movements that promise to end their oppression (real or imaginary) and create a bright new future.

The second verse of the song is mostly about what happens during and AFTER the revolution has been carried out by the people described in the first part of the song. First they fight to overthrow the existing order ("sacrifice to the cause"). Then they implement a new government based on the ideology of their movement ("turn your code into law"). However, the new system fails to produce the glorious utopian future promised by the leaders of the movement; instead it leads to continued poverty and hardship, so the leaders use propaganda to blame foreigners or counter-revolutionaries for their failures ("compensate, to validate the loss"). Pretty soon, the government starts to kill dissidents who point out that the revolution isn't living up to its promises, or anyone else blamed for the failures of the new system ("take a thief, nail him to a cross.") By this point, the new order looks just like the old order, or worse. There are lots of historical examples that come to mind: The Nazis (obviously), the Bolsheviks in Russia (Orwell's example), the Pan-Arab movement in the Arab Middle East, the Islamic Revolution in Iran, etc. I imagine that KMFDM would argue that this also applies to the American government in a number of ways.

Sometimes, the result of the latest form of tyranny (under a new name and with a new face) is that another group of people get angry enough that they're pushed to take up arms. Except that this time, they've suffered far more than the last group of revolutionaries, so they are likely to be far more angry, far more radical, and far more violent (hence the lyrics about "gospel of rage, faction of hate" and "born of revenge, raised off cement"). For historical examples of this, think of how the failure of the Pan-Arab movement in the Middle East led to the rise of the suicide-bombing Islamic fundamentalists, or how many African leaders who overthrew the European colonial regimes became so oppressive that they were themselves eventually overthrown in coups (by ultra-violent guerrillas who had a penchant for cutting off their opponents' hands).

The"king of deceit" that KMFDM is referring to in the chorus, therefore, is a revolutionary leader who claims to be fighting against oppression, but takes power and then oppresses the same people he/she fought to "liberate". Their point is that government in any form represents a "God" of "superiority" based on a hierarchy of leaders and followers. So any revolution based on the replacement of one government with another will eventually lead to more disaffection and violence, and the cycle continues. The only way to break this cycle is to abandon the concept of a "state" and "government" altogether. So KMFDM promotes Anarchy (a "God" of "blood, not superiority") as the solution because it's the only form of government which does away with leaders and followers, and therefore, has no risk of producing more oppressors and violence. It's a very Hegelian argument, and consistent with most forms of Anarchist theory.

Yes, the two who commited the Columbine massacre were KMFDM fans, as well as fans of various other industrial bands. They were not however, as was reported at the time, Marilyn Manson fans - Live news programmes reported they has been wearing marilyn manson t-shirts, this was completely untrue.

First off, I will say that I love this song. It is probably what got me addicted to KMFDM. The vocals done especially made me wanting more, even though how they are so amazing here is hard to describe. Bottom line, I think this is the greatest song they've ever done, and I think it's very influential, too.

As for its meaning, I think it should be very clear the message KMFDM is saying about Anarchy, and what it is to them: Gospel of rage/Faction of hate/Deviate from the absolute/Born of revenge/Raised on cement/Chaos created government

I find all of that to be parallel to Anarchy. Is not anarchy a government created from Chaos? I think also that Anarchy would require a lot of rage to be able to create. Especially in our state right now, if we were to even try to embrace the idea of anarchy, it would be because of our disdain for our current government, rather than because anarchy is a viable or reasonable solution.

Also, the bulk of the song seems to be saying about how hard his situation is, which is probably caused by the government, and that anarchy would be a solution to his problems. Really, the song takes a perspective from somebody who clearly wants anarchy, "Wake me up in Anarchy". But I do not feel that KMFDM was trying to send a message that they are taking this point of view, but merely trying to convey a message in general about anarchy.

One thing I can't figure out is this: "I made a god out of blood Not superiority" The only interpretation I can come up with is that it means the government is "God" and it would then be a government directly reflecting man(blood) rather than a heirarchy.

Making a god out of blood mean to force your beliefs through wars/coercion rather than superiority. If you made a god out of superiority it implies that your beliefs are those that are sound and worthy of followers rather than just enforcing your beliefs on others. This is likely a lash-out at nations that (most obviously the US but other colonial powers too) who impose their system of beliefs/philosophies/laws on others simply through intimidation tactics rather than the inherent superiority of these systems.

this is the best KMFDM song ever!!

KMFDM is the greatest band ever. And Sascha K. is a brilliant musician. But those of you that like this song because it is about Anarchy should put some more thought into it. As much as you think the government is oppressing you and as much as the system may be raping you, they keep you alive. Just think- gotterdammerung = todestag. So don't rip the system. Instead support my run for supreme dictator of the world. Let me govern your soul :)

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Just wondering if this song had any connection to the Columbine shooting? The two idiots that commited all the murders did say "feel no remorse, no sense of shame" I believe, which would be a direct quote from this song. Is it coincedence or not?

This is the best song by them ever! Fuck, its the best song about anarchy .period. Eat your heart out Sex Pistols! Why was this only a promo single....... I dunno, maybe cause of its connection with the two dumb-assed nazis.

"I made a god out of blood Not superiority"

That empitomes everything about anarchy in its most poetic sense............ I just love this song, you cant be an KMFDM fan without liking this song!

This is the best song ever, although "Sweet Dreams" and "Scabs, Guns and Peanutbutter" comes oughly close... KMFDM is a genius band. Its bands like this that should gang up just to rape people like Brittney Spears and Christina Augilera and then kill those big-breasted whores!!!