Back when goths and the gothic lifestyle was barely a thing and post-punk was yet to exist, five ladies in Hamburg, Germany (Anja Huwe – vocals, Caro May – drums, Manuela Rickers – guitar, Fiona Sangster – keyboards, and Rita Simon – bass) with little to no musical experience started a band, shocked their hair, and the world with their intensity, drive, and sound. They toured the world, opened for Cocteau Twins, played for legendary DJ John Peel, and released four albums before splitting up.
Now, Sacred Bones Records has released Xmal Deutschland’s Early Singles 1981-1982 collection to remind us of how influential they were. I mean, how much more of an influence on goth rock do you need than opening track “Schwarze Welt” (“Black World”)? It’s hard to pick out if Rickers’ guitar growls or Huwe’s snarling vocals is the darkest element of it. “Die Wolken” (“The Clouds”) is short and almost a poem of an instrumental, whereas “Großstadtindianer” (“City Indians”) is an angry proto-punk ripper with Sangster’s keyboards sounding like they’re stuffed full of angry bees.
May’s simple drums on “Kälbermarsch” (“Calf March”) build into a rhythm that almost induces panic. By the time we get to one of their biggest hits, “Incubus Succubus,” they’re really in the groove, and Simon’s bass has grown from being subtle in the background to a menacing shadowy figure at the forefront. May’s drumming on “Zu Jung Zu Alt” (“Too Young Told Old”) reaches near Alan Myers levels.
The title of “Blust Ist Liebe” (“Blood Is Love”) is already cool enough, but the way Huwe’s vocals move around the track (and Sangster’s keyboards) is even cooler. Closing the compilation with a live version of “Allein” (“Alone”) is a great touch, as it’s a powerhouse of a track with everyone in perfect synch. Rickers, Simon, Simon, and May are on fire throughout it, and Huwe absolutely commands the microphone. It’s a stunner.
It’s great that Xmal Deutschland are finding new fans and old fans are enjoying their revival. This collection is a great start to their catalogue. Don’t miss it.
Keep your mind open.
[I feel alone when you don’t subscribe]
[Thanks to Kate at Stereo Sanctity.]
