Commemorating their ‘4AD years’ (1983-1984) forty years on, the mysteriously enchanting group returns now with a brand-new release entitled Gift: The 4AD Years, out 9 May.
The extraordinary impact Xmal Deutschland had upon British audiences in the early Eighties is difficult to convey forty years on. A spell was cast by the staccato rhythms, unmediated channels and mysterious (to us) language of their music, and by the vision and strength of the women involved. Their breakthrough support slot with Cocteau Twins and first two albums with 4AD dazzled and dug deep, speaking in tones and temperatures unlike any band before or since. “And at some point, it seemed to people we just...disappeared”, muses singer Anja Huwe. “So this myth of Xmal Deutschland just got bigger and bigger over the years…”
Gift, which will fascinate newcomers just as it feeds the faithful, is brimming with presence. And if the word “gift” in German slyly relates to a kind of poison, nobody said this music was all sweetness and light. Even if its radiance resonates, four decades later. Xmal Deutschland’s 4AD years were a bold and bewitching boomerang. The magic’s back.
The limited-edition 3xLP boxset contains 2025 Abbey Road remasters of their two albums released with the label (the feverish Fetsich and titanic Tocsin), as well as tracks off other related releases and EPs including Incubus Succubus II and Qual, creating a package pulsating with power and poise. Gift’s striking cover artwork — featuring photography by Peter Schulte — was designed by Timothy O’Donnell, based on original art by 23 Envelope. It accompanies original sleeve photography by Nigel Grierson. Rounding out the package is an additional photo booklet containing images by Kevin Cummins, Paul Slattery, Sheila Rock, and more, as well as text by Chris Roberts.
3LP Tracklisting
Fetisch
A1. Qual
A2. Geheimnis
A3. Young Man
A4. In Der Nacht
A5. Orient
B1. Hand In Hand
B2. Kaempfen
B3. Danthem
B4. Boomerang
B5. Stummes Kind
Tocsin
C1. Mondlicht
C2. Eiland
C3. Reigen
C4. Tag für Tag
D1. Augen-blick
D2. Begrab Mein Herz
D3. Nachtschatten
D4. Xmas in Australia
D5. Derwisch
Incubus Succubus II
E1. Incubus Succubus II
E2. Vito
Qual
F1. Qual - 12” Remix
F2. Zeit
F3. Sehnsucht
2CD - Tracklisting
CD1
- Qual
- Geheimnis
- Young Man
- In Der Nacht
- Orient
- Hand In Hand
- Kaempfen
- Danthem
- Boomerang
- Stummes Kind
- Qual
- Sehnsucht
- Zeit
CD2
- Mondlicht
- Eiland
- Reigen
- Tag für Tag
- Augen-blick
- Begrab Mein Herz
- Nachtschatten
- Xmas in Australia
- Derwisch
- Incubus Succubus II
- Vito
