Xmal Deutschland

Xmal Deutschland
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1980 in Hamburg, Germany
Headquarters	Hamburg, Germany
Products	Music albums and singles

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Xmal Deutschland, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 29 November 20254 sources

Xmal Deutschland (pronounced: /ɪksmal ˈdɔʏtʃlant/), also stylized as X-Mal Deutschland, was a German group known for their contributions to the gothic rock genre.^[1]^[2] Established in 1980 with an exclusively female lineup, they found commercial recognition both within Germany and internationally.^[3] Their last album appeared in 1989.

Biography

Originating in Hamburg in 1980, Xmal Deutschland's initial lineup consisted of Anja Huwe (vocals), Manuela Rickers (guitar), Fiona Sangster (keyboards), Rita Simonsen (bass), and Caro May (drums).^[3] Their first single, "Schwarze Welt," was released in 1981 under Alfred Hilsberg’s ZickZack label. Early personnel changes saw Wolfgang Ellerbrock take over bass duties from Simonsen.^[3]

The 1982 release "Incubus Succubus" emerged as their defining post-punk track.^[2] Following May’s departure, Manuela Zwingmann stepped in on drums. Although initial reception in Germany was modest, a UK tour supporting Cocteau Twins led to a contract with the independent label 4AD.^[3] Their debut album Fetisch arrived in 1983 alongside singles "Qual" and "Incubus Succubus II," all of which charted on the UK Indie Chart, notable for their German-language content.^[3]

After a year, Zwingmann left and was succeeded by Peter Bellendir.^[3] The lineup featuring Huwe, Rickers, Sangster, Ellerbrock, and Bellendir became the group's most enduring formation. They released the single "Reigen" and the album Tocsin in 1984, followed by an international tour in 1985. Tocsin attained position number 86 on the UK Albums Chart.^[4]

The 1985 Sequenz EP presented reimagined versions of songs from a John Peel session, including their inaugural English-language track "Autumn."

Their 1986 album Matador, produced by Hugh Cornwell of The Stranglers, paved the way for them to open for The Stranglers at London's Wembley Arena and join their UK tour.

Recorded in Hamburg and released through Phonogram, the 1987 album Viva featured the single "Sickle Moon" and incorporated more English lyrics, including an adaptation of a poem by Emily Dickinson.^[3]

Following Viva, Rickers, Sangster, and Bellendir exited the band. Huwe and Ellerbrock then collaborated with Frank Z (from Abwärts) on guitar; producer Henry Staroste contributed keyboards while Curt Cress performed as studio drummer for their 1989 album Devils and singles "Dreamhouse" and "I'll Be Near You."^[3] This final record marked a stylistic move toward mainstream pop.

The band played intermittently during 1990 before officially dissolving later that year.^[3]

Subsequent Events

Peter Bellendir, the band's drummer, passed away on 3 February 2013 as a result of complications arising after an organ transplant.

Appearances in Media

The track "Incubus Succubus" was included in the second episode of the second season of Snowpiercer.

Studio Albums

1983: Fetisch (released by 4AD)
1984: Tocsin (under 4AD)
1987: Viva (issued through X-ile/Phonogram)
1989: Devils (distributed by Metronome)

Singles and Extended Plays

1981: "Schwarze Welt" backed with "Die Wolken" and "Großstadtindianer" (ZickZack) 7" single
1982: "Incubus Succubus" accompanied by "Zu Jung Zu Alt" and "Blut Ist Liebe" (ZickZack/ZickZack Platten) 12" single
1983: "Qual (12" Remix)" paired with "Zelt" and "Sehnsucht" (4AD/Virgin/Beggars Banquet) 12" single
1983: "Incubus Succubus II" with "Vilo" (4AD/DRO/Nexus International) released as both 7" and 12" singles
1984: "Reigen" coupled with "Eiland" (DRO/4AD) 7" single
1985: "Jahr Um Jahr II" including tracks "Autumn" and "Polarlicht - Sequenz" (Red Rhino/DRO/Fundamental) available on 7" and 12" formats
1986: The Peel Sessions (recorded on 30.04.85) EP issued by Strange Fruit
1986: "Matador" backed with "Paho," released as both 7" and 12"/maxi-single on Xile/Mercury
1987: "Sickle Moon" accompanied by "Illusion," available in 7" and 12"/maxi-single formats through Xile/Phonogram/Mercury
1989: "Dreamhouse," with B-side "Drowned You," released as 7", 12", and CD maxi-single via Metronome
1989: "I'll Be Near You (Radical Remix)" coupled with "The Girl in the Iron Mask" and the "I'll Be Near You (Retouched Radio Version)" issued on 7", 12", and CD maxi-single formats by Metronome

Compilation Releases

2024: Collection titled Early Singles (1981-1982) released by Sacred Bones Records

↑ Nancy Kilpatrick, The Goth Bible: A Compendium for the Darkly Inclined, New York: St. Martin's Griffin, 2004, chapter 5, "Music of the Macabre," p. 84.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Scott, Grace (2024-03-18). "German goth pioneers Xmal Deutschland: 'To British people I was like an alien'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 ^3.3 ^3.4 ^3.5 ^3.6 ^3.7 ^3.8 Colin Larkin, ed. (2003). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. p. 503. ISBN 1-85227-969-9.
↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named British Hit Singles & Albums

[1] Nancy Kilpatrick, The Goth Bible: A Compendium for the Darkly Inclined, New York: St. Martin's Griffin, 2004, chapter 5, "Music of the Macabre," p. 84.

[:0-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Scott, Grace (2024-03-18). "German goth pioneers Xmal Deutschland: 'To British people I was like an alien'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2024-03-20.

[Larkin80-3] 3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 ^3.3 ^3.4 ^3.5 ^3.6 ^3.7 ^3.8 Colin Larkin, ed. (2003). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. p. 503. ISBN 1-85227-969-9.

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