Xmal Deutschland

2025-10-17T20:38:33Z

2603:7000:8C00:4BE4:4483:705A:6E76:2B8F:

{{Short description|German band}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2012}}
{{Infobox musical artist 
| name = Xmal Deutschland
| image =
| caption =
| image_size = 
| background = group_or_band
| alias =
| origin = [[Hamburg]], West Germany
| instruments =
| genre = {{hlist| |[[Post-punk]]|[[gothic rock]]|[[Neue Deutsche Welle]]|[[dark wave]]|[[new wave music|new wave]]|[[alternative rock]]|[[dream pop]]}}
| occupations =
| years_active = 1980–1990
| label = {{hlist| [[ZickZack]]|[[4AD]]|[[Phonogram Records|X-ile]]|[[Metronome Records|Metronome]]|[[Sacred Bones Records]]}}
| website =
| current_members =
| past_members =
* Anja Huwe
* Manuela Rickers
* Fiona Sangster
* Rita Simonsen
* Caro May
* Wolfgang Ellerbrock
* Manuela Zwingmann
* Peter Bellendir
}}

'''Xmal Deutschland''' (pronounced: [[Wikipedia:IPA for German|/ɪksmal ˈdɔʏtʃlant/]]), often written as '''X-Mal Deutschland''', were a German [[gothic rock]] band.<ref>[[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.</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/mar/18/german-goth-pioneers-xmal-deutschland-to-british-people-i-was-like-an-alien |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319181007/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/mar/18/german-goth-pioneers-xmal-deutschland-to-british-people-i-was-like-an-alien |title=German goth pioneers Xmal Deutschland: 'To British people I was like an alien' |last= Scott |first= Grace |date= 2024-03-18 |archive-date= 2024-03-19 |work= The Guardian |language=en |access-date= 2024-03-20}}</ref> Founded in 1980 with a completely female line-up, they had chart success both in and outside their native country.<ref name="Larkin80">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=2003|edition=Third|isbn=1-85227-969-9|page=503}}</ref> Their last album was released in 1989.

==Biography==
Xmal Deutschland were formed in 1980 by Anja Huwe ([[Singing|vocals]]), Manuela Rickers ([[guitar]]), Fiona Sangster ([[Keyboard instrument|keyboards]]), Rita Simonsen ([[bass guitar|bass]]) and Caro May ([[Drum kit|drums]]) in Hamburg.<ref name="Larkin80"/> Their first single, "Schwarze Welt", was released a year later on Alfred Hilsberg’s [[ZickZack]] label. The band also contributed to the label compilation ''Lieber Zuviel Als Zuwenig'' (ZZ 45). Around this time, Rita Simonsen was replaced by Wolfgang Ellerbrock.<ref name="Larkin80"/>

In 1982, the group released the single "Incubus Succubus", which would go on to become their most successful song and be considered a "cult post-punk classic".<ref name=":0" /> Caro May left the band and formed a new band, and was replaced by Manuela Zwingmann the same year. While German audiences were less than receptive at first, a United Kingdom tour opening for [[Cocteau Twins]] resulted in a deal with independent label [[4AD]].<ref name="Larkin80"/> Their debut album, ''[[Fetisch]]'' and the singles "Qual" and "Incubus Succubus II" were released in 1983, all three making the [[UK Indie Chart]]s, even though the band wrote and performed in German.<ref name="Larkin80"/>

Manuela Zwingmann left the band after one year, being replaced by Peter Bellendir.<ref name="Larkin80"/> This lineup, Huwe/Rickers/Sangster/Ellerbrock/Bellendir was the longest lasting. The single "Reigen" and the album ''[[Tocsin (album)|Tocsin]]'' were released in 1984, followed by a world tour in 1985. ''Tocsin'' reached number 86 on the [[UK Albums Chart]].<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book
| first= David
| last= Roberts
| year= 2006
| title= [[British Hit Singles & Albums]]
| edition= 19th
| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited
| location= London
| isbn= 1-904994-10-5
| page= 612}}</ref>

The ''Sequenz'' EP was essentially a remake of a [[John Peel]] session, which had been originally recorded on 30 April 1985 and broadcast on 13 May 1985. The EP contained the tracks "Jahr Um Jahr II", "Autumn" (the band's first song with 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.

"Matador", produced by [[Hugh Cornwell]] of [[The Stranglers]], was released in 1986. Xmal Deutschland also opened for The Stranglers at a concert in [[Wembley Arena]], [[London]], as well as supporting them on their entire UK tour.

Their follow-up album, ''[[Viva (Xmal Deutschland album)|Viva]]'' was recorded in Hamburg and was released in 1987 through [[Phonogram Inc.|Phonogram]],<ref name="Larkin80"/> followed by the single "Sickle Moon". ''Viva'' contains a large number of English lyrics, including a poem by [[Emily Dickinson]].

After the release of ''Viva'', Manuela Rickers, Fiona Sangster and Peter Bellendir left the group. Anja Huwe and Wolfgang Ellerbrock continued to work with Frank Z (of [[Abwärts]]) on guitar. Producer Henry Staroste played keyboards and studio drummer Curt Cress completed the line-up that recorded the 1989 LP ''[[Devils (Xmal Deutschland album)|Devils]]'',<ref name="Larkin80"/> 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.

The group made a few live appearances in 1990 before disbanding later that same year.<ref name="Larkin80"/>

==Afterwards==
Drummer Peter Bellendir died on 3 February 2013 of complications following an organ transplant.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metal-archives.com/artists/Peter_Bellendir/29376|title=Peter Bellendir - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives|website=Metal-archives.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eisenvater.com/|title=EISENVATER|website=Eisenvater.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.peek-a-boo-magazine.be/en/news/2013/r-i-p-peter-bellendir-drummer-of-x-mal-deutschland/|title=R.I.P. Peter Bellendir, Drummer of X-mal Deutschland|website=Peek-a-Boo Magazine}}</ref>

==Media appearances==
"Incubus Succubus" featured in episode 2 of the second season of ''[[Snowpiercer (TV series)|Snowpiercer]]''.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=The Show Must Go On |series=[[Snowpiercer (TV series)]] |date=2021-03-29 |season=2 |number=9 |minutes=41}}</ref>

==Discography==
===Albums===
* 1983: ''[[Fetisch]]'' ([[4AD]])
* 1984: ''[[Tocsin (album)|Tocsin]]'' ([[4AD]])
* 1987: ''[[Viva (Xmal Deutschland album)|Viva]]'' (X-ile ([[Phonogram Records|Phonogram]]))
* 1989: ''[[Devils (Xmal Deutschland album)|Devils]]'' ([[Metronome Records|Metronome]])

===Singles and EPs===
* 1981: "Schwarze Welt" b/w "Die Wolken", "Großstadtindianer" ([[ZickZack]]) 7" single
* 1982: "Incubus Succubus" b/w "Zu Jung Zu Alt", "Blut Ist Liebe" ([[ZickZack]]/ZickZack Platten) 12" single
* 1983: "Qual (12" Remix)" b/w "Zelt", "Sehnsucht" ([[4AD]]/Virgin/Beggars Banquet) 12" single
* 1983: "Incubus Succubus II" b/w "Vilo" ([[4AD]]/DRO/Nexus/Nexus International) 7" and 12" single
* 1984: "Reigen" b/w "Eiland" (DRO/[[4AD]]) 7" single
* 1985: "Jahr Um Jahr II" b/w "Autumn", "Polarlicht" -''Sequenz'' ([[Red Rhino Records|Red Rhino]]/DRO/Fundamental) 7" and 12" single
* 1986: ''The Peel Sessions'' (30.04.85) ([[Strange Fruit Records|Strange Fruit]]) EP
* 1986: "Matador" b/w "Paho" (Xile/Mercury) 7" and 12" single/maxi-single
* 1987: "Sickle Moon" b/w "Illusion" (Xile/Phonogram/Mercury) 7" and 12" single/maxi-single
* 1989: "Dreamhouse" b/w "Drowned You" ([[Metronome Records|Metronome]]) 7" and 12" single/CD maxi-single
* 1989: "I'll Be Near You (Radical Remix)" b/w "The Girl in the Iron Mask", "I'll Be Near You (Retouched Radio Version)" (Metronome) 7" single/12" maxi-single/CD maxi-single

===Compilations===
* 2024: "Early Singles (1981-1982)" ([[Sacred Bones Records]])

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.anjahuwe.com/ Anja Huwe]
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=xmal-deutschland-mn0000684256|label=Xmal Deutschland}}
* {{MusicBrainz artist|id=4d94cf89-7757-4385-9049-52b7c3509e5f|name=Xmal Deutschland}}
* {{Discogs artist|id=X Mal Deutschland|name=Xmal Deutschland}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Xmal Deutschland}}
[[Category:4AD artists]]
[[Category:Female-fronted musical groups]]
[[Category:German alternative rock groups]]
[[Category:German dark wave musical groups]]
[[Category:German dream pop musical groups]]
[[Category:German gothic rock groups]]
[[Category:German new wave musical groups]]
[[Category:German post-punk music groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1990]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1980]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Hamburg]]
[[Category:Neue Deutsche Welle groups]]

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Xmal Deutschland