The Best of Xmal Deutschland (2005)

Xmal Deutschland (pronounced: iks-mul doychlund) was a musical group from Hamburg, Germany. Founded in 1980 with a completely female line-up, they became successful outside their native country. The lead singer of the band is vocalist Anja Huwe. Xmal Deutschland's last album was released in 1989.

Biography [wiki]

Xmal Deutschland (often written as X-Mal Deutschland) was formed in 1980 by Anja Huwe (vocals), Manuela Rickers (guitar), Fiona Sangster (keyboards), Rita Simon (bass guitar) and Caro May (drums) in Hamburg, Germany. Their first single, "Großstadtindianer" was released a year later on Alfred Hilsberg’s ZickZack label. The band also contributed the to the label compilation Lieber Zuviel Als Zuwenig (ZZ 45). Around this time Rita Simon was replaced by Wolfgang Ellerbrock.

In 1982 the band released the Goth classic "Incubus Succubus". Drummer Caro May left the band and formed a new band, and the vacant drummer position was filled by Manuela Zwingmann the same year. While German audiences were less than receptive at first, a United Kingdom tour opening for the Cocteau Twins resulted in a label deal with independent label 4AD Records. Their debut album, Fetisch and the singles "Qual" and "Incubus Succubus II" were released in 1983, all 3 making the UK Independent charts, even though the band wrote and performed in German.

Manuela Zwingmann left the band after one year, being replaced by Peter Bellendir. This lineup, Huwe/Rickers/Sangster/Ellerbrock/Bellendir proved to be the longest running. 1984 saw the release of the single "Reigen" and the album Tocsin, followed by a world tour through 1985.

The Sequenz EP was essentially a remake of a John Peel session, which had been originally recorded April 30, 1985, and was broadcast May 13, 1985. The EP contained the tracks Jahr Um Jahr II, Autumn (the band’s first English lyrics, apart from brief snatches of English that appeared in Qual, Young Man and Tag für Tag) and Polarlicht but omitted Der Wind, which was played at the Peel sessions.

1986 saw the release of Matador, produced by Hugh Cornwell of The Stranglers. Xmal Deutschland also opened for The Stranglers at a concert at Wembley Arena in London. Their follow-up album, Viva was recorded in Hamburg and was released in 1987, followed by the single "Sickle Moon". Viva contains a large number of English lyrics, among others a poem by Emily Dickinson. It was during this time that the band were interviewed by Jamie Meakes for the infamous underground Goth Fanzine 'House Of Dolls'.

After the release of Viva, Manuela Rickers, Fiona Sangster and Peter Bellendir left the group. Anja Huwe and Wolfgang Ellerbrock continue to work with Frank Z. (Abwärts) on guitar. Producer Henry Staroste played keyboards, and German studio drummer Curt Cress completed the line-up that would record the 1989 LP Devils and the singles "Dreamhouse" and "I’ll be near you". This also proved to be the last release of Xmal Deutschland, showing a change of direction towards mainstream pop. 1990 saw a few scattered live appearances by the group, but eventually the group split up


The Best Of Xmal Deutschland
2005

XMAL DEUTSCHLAND

Anja Huwe,Caro May,Fiona Sangster, German Band,Manuela Rickers,Rita Simon
[Enjoy]

Track Listing

1. Qual
2. Geheimnis
3. Orient
4. Hand In Hand
5. Boomerang
6. Stummes Kind
7. Mondlicht
8. Tag Für Tag
9. Incubus Succubus II
10. Matador
11. Eisengrau
12. Sickle Moon
13. Manchmal
14. Polarlicht
15. Searchlights
16. Matador (Blood & Sand)
17. Incubus Succubus I

MATADOR Oh was fur ein fest Take the red carnation Carina Place it in your hair La-la-la-la-run To the arena Give it to your matador Matador.... Matador.... Matador.... Oh was fur ein fest Spectacular  and in the avenidas They celebrate the game La-la-la-la-loud about devotion or death Matador Matador.... Matador.... Matador.... Your grace and Your pose Knows only One target Legend and masquerade For ever more Gets wilder and wilder Excited Banderillas Coloured knives are flashing For the fight! Oh celebrate Take the red carnation Carina And throw it in the sand La-la-la-launisch ist das gluck! Matador.... Matador.... Matador...

INCUBUS SUCUBUS Es tanzen die narren Ein herz aus eisen Über den wolken Unter der erde Incubus succubus Succubus incubus Incubus succubus Succubus incubus Incubus succubus Feuer, feuer, ohhh! Feuer, feuer, ohhh! Feuer, feuer, ohhh! Feuer, feuer, ohhh! Romanze der nüchte Und glut Leben und tod Sonne, mond. Kalt und heiß, Schwarz und rot, Kürper und geist, Liebe und chaos. Erweckt neues leben Für meine kräfte Ooooh Incubus succubus Succubus incubus Ganz tief unten, wo es kein licht mehr gibt, Dümonen, am himmel ist kein platz für uns! Am himmel ist kein platz für uns! Incubus succubus Succubus incubus Incubus succubus Succubus incubus Vom himmel fiel ein morgenstern, Ein neuer gott Für unsere mächte Incubus succubus Succubus incubus Ganz tief unten, wo es kein licht mehr gibt. Hexensabbat regiert die nacht. Hexensabbat regiert die energie der nacht, Hexensabbat Regiert die energie der nacht, Die energie der nacht, Die energie der nacht Incubus succubus Succubus incubus Incubus succubus Succubus incubus