Xmal Deutschland

Bio

Xmal 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. Discography EP:s and singles: 1981 7" Großstadtindianer - Zick-Zack Schallplatten ZZ 31 1982 12" Incubus Succubus - Zick-Zack Schallplatten ZZ 110 1983 12" Qual - 4AD Records BAD 305 1983 7" Incubus Succubus II - 4AD Records AD 311 1983 12" Incubus Succubus II - 4AD Records BAD 311 1985 7" Sequenz - Red Rhino RRE-1 1985 12" Sequenz - Red Rhino RRET-1 1986 12"/CD The Peel Sessions (30.04.85)- Strange Fruit SFPS017 1986 7" Matador - eXile XMAL 107 1986 12" Matador - eXile XMAL 112 1987 7" Sickle Moon - eXile XMAL 207 1987 12" Sickle Moon -eXile XMAL 212 1989 12" Dreamhouse - Metronome 871543-1 1989 12" I'll be near you - Metronome 889709-1 Albums: 1983 Fetisch 1984 Tocsin 1987 Viva 1989 Devils . User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.

Similar artists

Skeletal Family, Christian Death, The Danse Society, Alien Sex Fiend, Virgin Prunes

Genres

european,german,4ad,germany,dark wave,deathrock,gothic rock,neue deutsche welle,

Likes

2609 1

Infos

On Tour: Yes

country: DE

city: 1980

Begin Date: 1980

Last Update:

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Videography

Xmal Deutschland - Matador (full video)

Xmal Deutschland - Matador (full video)

Aug/2025

Artist discography

by

Last FM

Devils

Jan/1989

I'll Be Near You

I'll Be Near You

Jan/1989

Dreamhouse

Jan/1989

Sickle Moon

Jan/1987

Peel Sessions

Jan/1986

Matador

Jan/1986

the peel sessions

the peel sessions

Jan/1986

Matador [Blood & Sand]

Matador [Blood & Sand]

Jan/1986

Reigen

Jan/1984

1983-09-03: Live in Rotterdam, Netherlands

1983-09-03: Live in Rotterdam, Netherlands

Jan/1983

Xmal Deutschland

Xmal Deutschland

Jan/1981

Viva

Jan/1987

The Peel Sessions

The Peel Sessions

Jan/1986

Sequenz

Sep/1985

Tocsin

Jun/1984

Incubus Succubus II

Incubus Succubus II

Aug/1983

Qual

May/1983

Fetisch

Apr/1983

Incubus Succubus

Incubus Succubus

May/1982

Schwarze Welt

Mar/1981

Early Singles (1981-1982)

Early Singles (1981-1982)

Mar/2024

Schwarze Welt - Single

Schwarze Welt - Single

Mar/2024

Early Singles (1981 - 1982)

Early Singles (1981 - 1982)

Mar/2024

Demon Diamonds - Single

Demon Diamonds - Single

Sep/2024

Demon Diamonds

Sep/2024

Tocsin (2025 Remaster)

Tocsin (2025 Remaster)

May/2025

Incubus Succubus II (2025 Remaster)

Incubus Succubus II (2025 Remaster)

May/2025

Fetisch (2025 Remaster)

Fetisch (2025 Remaster)

May/2025

Qual (2025 Remaster)

Qual (2025 Remaster)

May/2025

I'll Be Near You - single

I'll Be Near You - single

Aug/1989

Dreamhouse - EP

Dreamhouse - EP

Jan/1989

Gift: The 4AD Years

Gift: The 4AD Years

May/2025

Gift (The 4AD Years 1983-1984)

Gift (The 4AD Years 1983-1984)

May/2025

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