Xmal Deutschland
Henry Diltz/Getty Images
★★★★
Early Singles (1981-1982)
SACRED BONES. CD/DL/LP/MC
Early, eerie sounds from German darkwave pioneers.
Running in chronological order, this compilation sheds light on the brief yet prolific period shortly before the collective’s take-off – a support slot for Cocteau Twins and, eventually, a deal with 4AD. It starts with alarming synth arpeggios and stabs of guitar on Schwarze Welt, Xmal’s debut single, signposting their international success. Though formed in freedom-loving Hamburg, the initially all-female quintet felt like tourists at home, to quote GO4’s Jon King. Some tracks, indeed, show more affinity with the British indie scene of the day than Neue Deutsche Welle. With its reggaepowered rhythm and Anja Huwe’s exclamatory vocals, bonus track Kälbermarsch hints at Cut-era Slits, while the ecstatic cyberpunk goth of Incubus Succubus reveals a kinship with Siouxsie & The Banshees. Still, it’s their idiosyncratic B-sides Großstadtindianer, Zu Jung Zu Alt and the second bonus track – a live version of Allein from the Nosferatu Festival compilation – that confirm their maverick status.