"My oh my this is one track that is on the prowl and it has the propulsion to get there in rapid time. Kongress can't help but grab attention as a result, percussion such that it set a tempo that can't be ignored. Like the polemic embedded in the piece and Broken Promises is nothing if not straight talking in matters of great import. Musically it was probably that bit too abrasive for me but I get that it needed to be in a protest song designed for these crazy times. "

“Kongress - Eyes Of The Witness "I mean for me it felt as Kongress had us in the front seat of the Delorean and leafing through some old Doors demo tapes where Ray was given license to run the show. Of course this being this artist there was a whole lot more to digest into the bargain. The main takeaway is a degree of madness infecting the arrangement so us listeners are encouraged to let ourselves go as part of the experience. So very different, a bit of catchup required by me to make sense of it but I am determined but not quite there yet."”

"Kongress - Moon Bridge "My oh my if one didn't know better you'd have to feel as if Kongress had engineered a breach in time to have us back to a time when Led Zep and the Doors stalked the earth to a degree that real living was put on hold whenever they entered the room. A song for Halloween and beyond such is its creepy overtures but there is a classic rock bent to Moon Bridge too. Made for too retro for what I am looking for but in terms of presence this one doesn't do things by half."

“Kongress - Supreme Courtesans The way it progresses it could be a slowed down Sabotage from the Beastie Boys but Kongress have different deities to slay and so Supreme Courtesans comes across like a polemic with dancey elements. I found it a little serious despite the groove, like Big Brother has been turned on its head and that means the elite are in for a land. Rebellion comes in all shapes and sizes and Kongress add more shade to underground swell of disharmony that is building.”

“Kongress - FutureLoop For me it sounds like a gaming soundtrack wherein the hoards of enemy invaders make good on our kindliness before we need to turn to their way of thinking or else be vanquished. FutureLoop has that marauding quality, it pits us against evil and we have to use all our internal machinations to hold onto our space in this world. Love the immersiveness of this track and I can see how this track could be an ideal fit for MIkan on Youtube, stickman racers getting crushed until only one remains. My 10-year-old loves it and I'm coming around myself!”

“Kongress - Artificial Intelligence Sure does have a different approach, reminding of the like of the Orb from back in the day with some Beck thrown in for good measure such is the loose beats that contrast with the Big Brother Vincent Price comes a haunting vocals. It could be the sixties, the drugs might be kicking and we could be the sacrificial lamb into the bargain. As a route to pure escapism Kongress have done something neat here but it might be just a little too non-linear to get its teeth firmly in tune with my tastes.”

“Kongress - Sugar Daddy My oh my I thought to myself what kind of a demon has been landed on us here. It seems that Kongress have bolted out the gap and are free to let every semblance of ordered society behind them. This is experimental to the extreme as a result, not unlike the Prodigy at times and once we hold our nerve getting to a place that makes a bit more sense come the mid section. Still too wild and unleashed for me I'm afraid.”

“Kongress - Summer Days Talk about big action and songs such as Summer Days hove into mind for they have a progressive and big stage persona. Kongress obviously know this and it means they can extend their presence far and wide, the vocals for one coming across like a deity dishing out the new 10 commandments and while I found the whole effect a bit claustrophobic there is no denying that this is wide-screen industry for those into something a bit more spiritual than is the norm. Big canvas overwhelmed me.”

“Welcome to a story of a simpler time , taking us back before the height of commercial music and television where you enjoyed the blessings the summer would bring you. The song Summer Days was written in the latter end of the 60’s in which the world encountered multiple national tragedies and what was a small step became a milestone in pop culture. Kongress takes us back to the simpler times of the 60’s with the relaxing vibes of his recent single Summer Days . The video gave us American Pie vibes as we saw video recorded footage of past mermaid parades transition across the screens with the lyrics accompanying the imagery.It is quite unique to see the videos from past years to see how culturally free everyone was. The artistry behind it takes- a love for music and videography as everyone is dancing in sync with the music. The video makes you think about the brighter, lighter side of life when we were young and enjoying life. Follow him everywhere @kongress.us”

“PICK OF THE DAY KONGRESS – One-Man NYC Band Has A Loud And Clear Message For The Weird ‘SUPREME COURTESANS’ The musical project of 60s survivor Otto von Ruggins. who mixes Space-Goth-Tribal-New-Wave rock and other me(n)tal bangs. Think legendary eccentrics Devo fooling around with avant-garde freaks The Residents. Weirdo TRUMP turned America into the Divided States Of America during his 4 destructive years in the White House. It’s what he did, does and will still do, he divides, as long as his MAGA fans will fall for his autocratic rhetoric and adore him. It was and still is #TrumpFirst. The judges he nominated, Neil Gorsuch , Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett still represent his and the GOP’s ultra conservative views on life, including ignoring women’s basic rights, in the Supreme Court. Kongress has a message for them!”

"Retro yet modern, ‘Summer Days’ by Kongress invokes those warm days when all you want to do is have some fun. Bringing a splash of 60s vibes to some modern sounds, they weave a rather nostalgic web that you are glad to be caught in. While the single was originally written decades ago, it has been given a new electronic lease on life, complete with a fantastic music video. The music has been wonderfully crafted to bring retro and modern touches together, while inundating your sense with the feeling of the track. There is a touch of a love song woven into the lyrics as they compare the shine of someone you love to the glory of summer days. The feeling of the single is brought to visual life by the music video that has been fantastically edited. At times, it feels like the movement of the parade goers is perfectly in time with the movement of the melody. The accompanying music video is a stunning amalgamation of years of footage that perfectly captures the feeling of the track."

“Once again, the American band Kongress from Brooklyn, NY, returns to us with a new artistic discovery in sound, which is their new single, “Summer Days”, was released in August. This band was founded in 1975 and since 2020 has been active again with its only remaining member, Otto von Ruggins. “Summer Days” was written in 1967. Kongress has brought it back to life, but with a new voice after discovering its lyrics and adding some modern electronic touches, which he created on the iPad earlier this year. “I came across the lyrics recently and after playing the old music, I realized it needed some new music for today,” Kongress says of his miracle. This song is inspired by the concept of the famous Mermaid Parade at Coney Island in Brooklyn. Its video is among the best shots von Ruggins has taken of parades over decades. Kongress is a group far ahead of their time and we’ve been trying to absorb their talents since the ’70s. They influence the trajectory of your imag”

“Originally formed in 1975, Kongress is a music project that’s been graced by a host of talented musicians over the years. Their organic sonic evolution saw them flow from half hour improvised jams to two minute song structures as they delivered their creative vision. Now led by keyboard wizard Otto von Ruggins, the band has made a triumphant resurgence over the last two years, starting with the 2020 single “The Ugly American”. Joining Otto, Phil Faconti added his screaming guitar prowess alongside the world class electric cellist Dave Eggar on the track. Released by TikTok via their in-house distribution service, “Summer Days” is accompanied by a music video that features footage from Mermaid Parades over the decades. Laying down an abstract and psychedelic synth-based indie sound, with “Summer Days” Kongress delivers more of their fiercely original sound. Commenting on the single, Otto shares, “I wrote Summer Days a lifetime ago on April 28, 1967 & Revamped it w/iPad M”

“‘Summer Days’ by Kongress is an astonishing video as it was filmed across 30 years which I have never seen or heard of in music videos (that's why I'm known as Master of the Unheard Øf)! It starts off with retro images of parades and it really fits into that “summer vibe” of being free. As the video progresses, we see lyrics which are good if people want to learn them if they enjoy the song. What I enjoy about the video is the carefree and “new age” which could represent the “youthquake” of the 70s. Hopefully, I get to analyse and review more of Kongress’ videos in the future.”

“Kongress from Brooklyn, New York released the new single “Summer Days” last week. Kongress were founded in 1975. John Holmstrom of Punk Magazine once described Kongress as "the most dangerous band in the world". Also the volume No Wave: Post-Punk. underground. New York. 1976-1980” by Thurston Moore and Byron Coley mention Kongress. Since 2020 Kongress are active again with the only remaining member Otto von Ruggins, who also played with VON LMO in other bands. The song "Summer Days" was written in 1967, only recently Otto von Ruggins rediscovered the lyrics and provided them with a modern electronic sound, which he created on an iPad earlier this year. “Summer Days” is based on the concept of the well-known, iconic Mermaid Parade at Coney Island in Brooklyn. The video for the song is a collection of footage from the Coney Island Mermaid Parades over the past 30+ years.”

“Kongress releases the new single "Summer Days" being the second work released this year. Previously, the single "NuSense" was released and in the past "Running With The Wolves". The new work brings a sound with reference to the 80s, with synthesizer and beats that take us to the decade, with electronics and disco. The style also explores the more modern and futuristic side, accompanying the listener on a timeless journey. The lyrics are very reflective, the clip features a demonstration in the streets, a parade, life is wonderful, summer days, bright days. The listener will identify with it in a way that encourages the various songs interpreted for those who listen to and see the clip. "Summer Days" is brilliant in sound - the vocals, for the listener to get an idea, remind me of something from A-HA, Morrissey. The synthesizer is great, very well done, the listener who loves an 80's vibe music will float, light.”

“Kongress is an experimental electro-pop artist. Their music is nothing short of psychedelic. While they have a very similar vibe to MGMT both in terms of musical output and creative expression, Kongress is certainly unique. In fact, the electro-gothic outfit’s latest release, Summer Days, was written in the late ’60s. It’s insane to hear every single psychedelic element on this track with pure perfection. Summer Days follows a rather simple, trance-like beat that plays in the background as the vocals take you on a wild journey. Kongress really knows how to navigate this psychedelic space with every tone they use. Moreover, the various samples that they use to craft their melodies are both confusing and intriguing. Much like psychedelia, Kongress really takes things into dimensions that you can’t fathom, but attract you anyway. There’s something about not being able to understand a song on a subliminal level that simply binds you in that space. Psychonaut this is your artist.”

“‘Summer Days’ feels like a celebration unlike any other. The strangely nostalgic and distinctively retro synth pop song is draped in an atmosphere that’s grandiose and opulent from back to front. There’s a certain sadness and melancholy behind the vocals, but the overarching air just cries celebration and adulation. The video is nostalgic and a time capsule that elaborates and describes the wonderfully eclectic and raucous Coney Island Mermaid Parade that Kongress has been video taping over decades. Written several decades ago altogether, it’s no surprise that Summer Days has that air of history and a powerful retro energy embedded within it. You find yourself transported to these days, to these events, and to the entire energy surrounding the song’s inspiration. A powerful and jubilant electronic pop tune.”

“If we're going to use an analogy to explain “Summer Days”, the new video by Kongress is like a “Boyhood: From Childhood to Youth” work of art. This is because the film by director Richard Linklater follows 12 years of a boy's life, and Kongress, through the figure of its member, Otto von Ruggins (keyboards, synthesizers) followed more or less the same formula. In “Summer Days”, there is a compilation of the main images from 30 years of capture of the traditional Coney Island Mermaid Parade, an art parade held annually in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York (USA). The event, the largest art parade in the United States, is held each year in June and celebrates the arrival of the summer season. Summer Days is a song that was recently revamped, gaining timeless contours. Practically unlabelable, it brings elements that make it trail new wave, synth-pop and electro-gothic, in a pleasant rhythm and traveling vocals. it's not just a song, a clip, but an historical document of art.”

“Setting the tone with cerebral vocal tones and cosmic textures, fused with bold drums and intricate detailing...the opus expands into an electronica meets synth pop soundscape, and we are mesmerized. We appreciate the psychedelic nature of the soundscape and Kongress‘s charming, uplifting and charismatic vocal delivery.”

“OTTO VON RUGGINS And KONGRESS Want Criminal Put-In His Place With New Sledgehammer ‘NuSense’ Posted on April 13 by JL Daily electricity to load your batteries Artist: KONGRESS Who: The musical project of 60s survivor Otto von Ruggins. An experimental, New York based, act being around for light-years, mixing Space-Goth-Tribal-New-Wave rock and other me(n)tal bangs. Think legendary eccentrics Devo fooling around with avant-garde freaks The Residents. von Ruggins also is: “I teach the History of Rock and Roll using Little Steven (Van Zandt’s) curriculum @ teachrock.org at a local high school five minutes from my home. I’m one of eleven pilot teachers he chose in the entire country and I feel very blessed to get paid to play the music I grew up with." Inspired by the horror war in Ukraine, Kongress has a new merciless sledgehammer out called NuSense. The message is loud and clear…FUCK PUTIN! "You’re such a nuisance, One man shouldn’t have such power...You need to be P”

“Ultimate 2020 American Idiot Protest Song – KONGRESS With ‘THE UGLY AMERICAN’ Latest single THE UGLY AMERICAN says it all. I’m quite sure this psych-o-delic saga is inspired by 1958 novel The Ugly American by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer. “The concept of Freedom is not what it would seem to be, even here in the United States. Under the present regime, Freedom has been curtailed by the dictates of a White House that wants a purified race, purging its citizens randomly via weapons of war” says von Ruggins. Need anymore hints about this loud and clear rant. I don’t think so. Megalomaniac Donald Dumped is, without a shadow of a doubt, the equivalent of the ugliest American ever in America’s political history, who tried/tries to shut up anybody who does not lick his ass and represents the historical evil forces of the land of the free and home of the brave. "They honor flags of race abuse No matter who’s dehumanized Remnants of slavery with a noose Keep black peo”

"...transgressively transcendent stuff."

“...the '78-'77 version of the group featuring Von Lmo on the drums as well as the mysterious magician himself, Geofrey Crozier. It's this period of Kongress that got me all hot and bothered, especially with those Can-esque electronic musical interludes”

"Kongress is a very talented and versatile band; they possess clever, amusing lyrics, electronica music, and experimental music combined with dark sorcery and magical influences. They are shrouded with mysterious occult ways of the bizarre and eerie strange coincidences."

“...at this point in rock & roll history Kongress sounded like a great late-sixties punk rock group...with... 'metal electricity'... only with the addition of a ...synthesizer that I'm sure no authentic punk band coulda afforded back in '69”

"A concorde drone with Aleister Crowley lyrics...they abandoned the stage only after threats of violence were unfurled, with vampirish cape flourishes."

"Kongress, the most dangerous band in the world..."

"Soundtrack for a Screamie...a breathless half-hour that stops time dead in its tracks...the most bizarre blend of media ever to darken the annals of rock’n’roll."