Xmal Deutschland

Emerging from the shadowy fringes of Germany’s New Deutsche Welle scene, Xmal Deutschland fused razor-edged guitars, thunderous percussion, and vocals that balanced menace with hypnotic allure. Formed at the outset of the 1980s as a Hamburg-based post-punk quintet consisting entirely of women, the group issued its initial pair of singles on the local Zickzack imprint before becoming only the second European act, following Sort Sol, to sign with 4AD. Although their sound, imagery, and titles such as “Incubus Succubus” repeatedly invited the goth-rock label, that designation proved as inaccurate for Xmal Deutschland as it did for most peers. Even with Anja Huwe’s largely German-language texts, the band achieved cult favor in Britain through its two 4AD albums: Fetisch (1983) reached number three and Tocsin (1984) topped the independent album chart. Later releases Viva (Phonogram, 1987) and Devils (Metronome, 1989) reflected a shift toward pop structures, refined production, and English lyrics.

The band took its name from an early-1960s sociopolitical tract by journalist and activist Rudolf Leonhard. In 1980 Anja Huwe (then playing bass), Caro May (drums), Manuela Rickers (guitar), Fiona Sangster (keyboards), and Rita Simon (vocals) came together after meeting at Hamburg punk shows. Following support slots for Palais Schaumburg and Wirtschaftswunder, they recorded for Zickzack; when Simon failed to attend the first session, Huwe assumed permanent vocal duties, yielding the churning single “Schwarze Welt,” released in March 1981. Simon briefly switched to bass before departing. After appearing on a Zickzack compilation and touring with DAF, the band returned in May 1982 with the more propulsive “Incubus Succubus,” now featuring new bassist Wolfgang Ellerbrock. Manuela Zwingman soon replaced Caro May. By year’s end Xmal Deutschland had opened for Cocteau Twins in London and taped the first of four BBC sessions for John Peel’s Radio 1 program, including early versions of “Qual” and additional tracks later found on their debut album.

A rehearsal tape secured a deal with 4AD, home to Cocteau Twins and favorites Bauhaus and the Birthday Party. Ivo Watts-Russell and the band co-produced the assured, commanding Fetisch, whose German lyrics did not hinder its April 1983 entry on the U.K. independent chart, where it peaked at number three during an eight-month residency. Lead single “Qual” reached the independent singles Top Ten, while the swift follow-up “Incubus Succubus II,” a less austere reading of the prior Zickzack track, hit number five. For Tocsin, Peter Bellendir replaced Manuela Zwingman (later of All About Eve). Produced by Mick Glossop—whose résumé included Magazine’s Real Life, Ruts’ The Crack, and Skids’ The Absolute Game—the album adopted sharper sonics and more conventional structures, topping the independent chart and reaching number 86 on the national U.K. listing.

Despite Tocsin’s success, Ivo Watts-Russell grew uneasy with the band’s commercial trajectory. After parting from 4AD, Xmal Deutschland launched its own Exile imprint (later renamed Xile). Between 1985 and 1986 the group issued the three-track 12-inch Sequenz, again produced by Glossop, and the gentler “Matador,” produced by the Stranglers’ Hugh Cornwell; the former also peaked at number five on the independent chart. In 1987 Phonogram released the third album Viva, incorporating remixes of the preceding singles, a greater share of English lyrics, and additional production from Gavin McKillop. Thereafter the lineup contracted to a duo when Manuela Rickers and Peter Bellendir departed to form Whiteouts and Fiona Sangster withdrew from music. Huwe and Ellerbrock recruited Abwärts guitarist Frank Ziegert—who had mixed the band’s second single—to complete the 1989 album Devils, issued in Germany on Metronome. Xmal Deutschland disbanded the following year, allowing Huwe to pursue visual art. In 2024 Sacred Bones issued the compilation Early Singles 1981-1982, coinciding with Huwe’s debut solo album Codes, which features guitar contributions from Rickers.