WOEBOT

Matthias Schuster’s “Atelmos” (NLW at http://nlw.backagain.de/) is a vintage slice of militantly bleak classic NDW (short for “Neue Deutsche Welle”, German New Wave). At times strongly reminiscent of the clipped synth and real drum-kit sound of DAF’s “Die Kleinen Und Die Bösen” on the devastating “Für Alles Auf Der Welt” and “Geschichte Der Nacht” and at others of a No Wave Ambience. “Atelmos” (1981) excels in it’s bracing truly ‘unheimlich’ atmospheres, evinced in the pinky and perky vocal chatterings of “Language Trainer” (surely the strangest context for these voices so far?) and in the frigidly contemplative “Habari Gani”, “An Rah Robeel” and “Harakiri”.

Recorded originally for the cult Konkurrenz label, set up as an off-shoot of Phonogram by the painter Gerhard Richter’s grandson, the true counterpart of the original Rough Trade imprint and home for Schuster’s band Geisterfahrer, this release of “Atelmos” is augmented by impossible find tracks from Schuster’s “Ritual” EP and the stunning NDW anthem “Im Namen Des Volkes” 7”. Possibly an acquired taste, the musical equivalent of Grappa, nevertheless here is a truly fascinating document of a scene which is being freshly rediscovered.