They may not be as well-known as Ministry or Nine Inch Nails, but Die Krupps has been waving the industrial rock flag since 1980 (in other words, for longer than Al Jourgensen and Trent Reznor). And in 2011, Die Krupps is still going strong, as evidenced by the release of an eight-song EP, Als Wären Wir für Immer. On this release, the group opts to stick to the expected game plan, with a straight-ahead industrial release, there aren't a whole heck of a lot of detours or experimentation here. Case in point, tracks that lean toward rock ("Die Macht") and/or dance ("Dr. Mabuse"), as well as selections that lie somewhere in the middle (the album-opening "Beyond"). Also included on Als Wären Wir für Immer are a few remixes, one of which, an "Unheilig Remix" of the aforementioned "Beyond," brings to mind vintage '80s-era Depeche Mode, whereas the other remixes ("The Chameleon Man/Vigilante Remix" and "Dr. Mabuse/Memphis Remix") are more what you'd expect. While it may not be their most substantial release to date, Als Wären Wir für Immer does indeed prove that Die Krupps remain one of the "last men standing" from the original industrial rock movement, and who are admirably not deviating far from the style/approach that longtime fans have grown accustomed to.
© Greg Prato /TiVo