Xmal Deutschland
Biography
In the shadowy corners of Hamburg's post-punk underground, where industrial decay met artistic rebellion, Xmal Deutschland emerged in 1980 like a gothic phoenix rising from the ashes of punk's first wave. Founded by the enigmatic Anja Huwe, whose otherworldly vocals would become the band's defining signature, this German quintet would go on to craft some of the most haunting and influential music of the darkwave era.
The band's origins trace back to the restless creative energy of Huwe, who had previously fronted the punk outfit Epitaph. Seeking a more atmospheric and experimental sound, she recruited guitarist Manuela Rickers, bassist Fiona Sangster, drummer Rita Simon, and keyboardist Caro May. The name "Xmal Deutschland" – a play on "Einmal Deutschland" meaning "Once Germany" – reflected their complex relationship with their homeland's troubled history, a theme that would permeate their artistic vision.
From their earliest performances in Hamburg's underground clubs, Xmal Deutschland stood apart from their contemporaries. Huwe's vocals soared and swooped like a banshee's wail, switching effortlessly between whispered intimacies and operatic crescendos, often delivered in both German and English. The band's sound was a mesmerizing blend of post-punk's angular urgency, gothic rock's romantic darkness, and new wave's synthesized textures, creating what critics would later describe as "ethereal punk" or "atmospheric post-punk."
Their 1982 debut album "Fetisch" on the legendary 4AD label immediately established them as pioneers of the emerging gothic rock movement. Produced by the label's Ivo Watts-Russell, the album showcased their ability to create vast sonic landscapes that were simultaneously beautiful and unsettling. Tracks like "Incubus Succubus" and "Schwarze Welt" became instant classics in the underground scene, with Huwe's vocals floating over Rickers' jangling guitars and the rhythm section's hypnotic pulse.
The band's visual aesthetic was equally striking. Their performances were theatrical affairs, with Huwe often appearing in flowing white gowns, her pale figure cutting a ghostly presence against the stark lighting. This imagery, combined with their haunting sound, made them darlings of the emerging goth scene, though they always resisted being pigeonholed into any single genre.
1984's "Tocsin" marked their creative peak, featuring the anthemic "Viva," which became their biggest hit and a staple of alternative radio. The album demonstrated their evolution from the raw energy of their debut to a more sophisticated sound that incorporated elements of new wave and even hints of world music. The production was lusher, the arrangements more complex, yet the essential mystery and power of their music remained intact.
Their final studio album, 1987's "Devil," saw the band experimenting with a more accessible sound, incorporating elements of mainstream rock while maintaining their gothic sensibilities. However, by this time, internal tensions and the pressures of the music industry were taking their toll. The band disbanded in 1989, leaving behind a relatively small but incredibly influential catalog.
Xmal Deutschland's impact on alternative music cannot be overstated. They were among the first bands to successfully merge the aggression of punk with the atmospheric qualities that would define gothic rock. Their influence can be heard in countless bands that followed, from Dead Can Dance to Siouxsie and the Banshees, and their aesthetic helped define the visual language of the goth movement.
The band's legacy has only grown with time. Their albums have been reissued multiple times, introducing new generations to their unique sound. Music critics consistently rank them among the most important German alternative bands of the 1980s, and their influence extends beyond music into fashion and visual art.
Anja Huwe continued making music after the band's dissolution, releasing solo material and collaborating with various artists, though nothing quite captured the magic of Xmal Deutschland's prime years. The other members pursued different paths, with some remaining in music while others moved into entirely different fields.
Today, Xmal Deutschland stands as a testament to the power of artistic vision and the enduring appeal of music that refuses to be easily categorized. Their brief but brilliant career produced some of the most compelling and mysterious music of the post-punk era, ensuring their place in the pantheon of alternative rock's most essential artists. In an age of manufactured rebellion, they remain a reminder of what genuine artistic authenticity sounds like.
