Dunkelwerk
Encyclopedia
Dunkelwerk is the name of a German band which describes its sound as Endzeit Electro (dark electronic beats and sounds often combined with Nazism
themes or horror apocalyptic scenarios and distorted vocals), referring to a genre which was originally established by bands like :wumpscut: and Leæther Strip
and is nowadays produced by bands like The Retrosic
, Suicide Commando
or Hocico
. Dunkelwerk consists of only one person and is a pure studio project, not doing any live performances or any other public events. The name of the band is an old German idiom which can be translated as "dark work" or "dark factory". The producer behind Dunkelwerk has decided to work under the pseudonym "losttrooper", being restrained to offer pictures of himself.
(another successful German Endzeit Electro band). Before releasing the first album, Dunkelwerk was part of several compilations worldwide and released its first single called “Die Sechste Armee” on the Square matrix 004
sampler released by Alfa-Matrix. The war theme of the single was a forerunner of the album Troops, which is often described as one of the darkest releases in the Endzeit Electro genre. Dealing with German wars, this album creates an intense atmosphere of defeat and loss while using danceable beats and marching melodies. The combination of dancemusic for clubs with such a difficult historical background was one reason why press for this album was banned by music magazines like Sonic Seducer in Germany (Dunkelwerk was defined as “bad entertainment” by the editing staff in 2005). In subsequent interviews, the producer explained the concept of his work and made clear statements about his intention and attitude. In the booklet attached to the cd release of Troops, he stated: “Dunkelwerk is about defeat, not about victory. We have no use for any fascist train of thought!”
Troops got positive reviews and gained some success in the worldwide industrial scene. It reached position 6 of the German DAC Charts
and was also released as a limited edition with bonus remixes in a special carton box. All tracks on the album are linked to the world wars and focus on moments of defeat. The use of rare original broadcast recordings from the world wars on many songs distinguishes this band from many others. The album was mixed and mastered by Len Lemeire who worked with Anne Clark
and many other electronic artists.
Besides the work on the album, the band has made several remixes for other bands and offered exclusive versions of its own songs on compilations.
The band released the second album called "Höllenbrut" in November 2009 - after the first new track was released on the sampler Re:connected Vol.2.
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
themes or horror apocalyptic scenarios and distorted vocals), referring to a genre which was originally established by bands like :wumpscut: and Leæther Strip
Leæther Strip
Leæther Strip is a Danish musical project founded on January 13, 1988 by Claus Larsen. Its influence has been most felt in the electronic body music and electro-industrial genres. Perhaps to a certain extent, it may have influenced various film score productions. Leæther Strip was one of the...
and is nowadays produced by bands like The Retrosic
The Retrosic
-History:The Retrosic project was born in April 2001 with the release of the debut Prophecy. The Retrosic's second release, Messa da Requiem, reached the top of the Deutsche Alternative Charts in 2002, and was named "Album of the Year" by the Dutch Alternative Charts.The Retrosic's third album God...
, Suicide Commando
Suicide Commando
Suicide Commando is a Belgian electro-industrial act created by Johan van Roy in 1986.- History :Johan van Roy, Suicide Commando's only member, began experimenting with electronic music in 1986. Three years later he released his first tape under the moniker Suicide Commando, and made an appearance...
or Hocico
Hocico
- History :The duo was officially formed in 1993 by Erik Garcia a.k.a Erk Aicrag and Oscar Mayorga a.k.a. Racso Agroyam , but both cousins had been experimenting with electronic music, mixing industrial and EBM, since they were fifteen years old. Their music can be described as electro-industrial...
. Dunkelwerk consists of only one person and is a pure studio project, not doing any live performances or any other public events. The name of the band is an old German idiom which can be translated as "dark work" or "dark factory". The producer behind Dunkelwerk has decided to work under the pseudonym "losttrooper", being restrained to offer pictures of himself.
History
Dunkelwerk was signed in 2003 by the Belgian Label Alfa-Matrix. At this time the band was a first step towards a harsher direction for the label. Dunkelwerk was tipped to Alfa-Matrix by Cyrus of The RetrosicThe Retrosic
-History:The Retrosic project was born in April 2001 with the release of the debut Prophecy. The Retrosic's second release, Messa da Requiem, reached the top of the Deutsche Alternative Charts in 2002, and was named "Album of the Year" by the Dutch Alternative Charts.The Retrosic's third album God...
(another successful German Endzeit Electro band). Before releasing the first album, Dunkelwerk was part of several compilations worldwide and released its first single called “Die Sechste Armee” on the Square matrix 004
Square matrix 004
square matrix 004 is a compilation album put out by Alfa Matrix on June 1, 2004. It features some of the most recognizable tunes by four bands signed to the label: Glis, Seize, Ayria, and Dunkelwerk...
sampler released by Alfa-Matrix. The war theme of the single was a forerunner of the album Troops, which is often described as one of the darkest releases in the Endzeit Electro genre. Dealing with German wars, this album creates an intense atmosphere of defeat and loss while using danceable beats and marching melodies. The combination of dancemusic for clubs with such a difficult historical background was one reason why press for this album was banned by music magazines like Sonic Seducer in Germany (Dunkelwerk was defined as “bad entertainment” by the editing staff in 2005). In subsequent interviews, the producer explained the concept of his work and made clear statements about his intention and attitude. In the booklet attached to the cd release of Troops, he stated: “Dunkelwerk is about defeat, not about victory. We have no use for any fascist train of thought!”
Troops got positive reviews and gained some success in the worldwide industrial scene. It reached position 6 of the German DAC Charts
Deutsche Alternative Charts
The Deutsche Alternative Charts is the primary record chart for Germany's alternative music scene. The charts cover genres ranging nu metal to Britpop, from rock music to alternative electronic...
and was also released as a limited edition with bonus remixes in a special carton box. All tracks on the album are linked to the world wars and focus on moments of defeat. The use of rare original broadcast recordings from the world wars on many songs distinguishes this band from many others. The album was mixed and mastered by Len Lemeire who worked with Anne Clark
Anne Clark
Anne Clark is an English poet and songwriter. Her first album, The Sitting Room, was released in 1982, and she has released over a dozen albums since then....
and many other electronic artists.
Besides the work on the album, the band has made several remixes for other bands and offered exclusive versions of its own songs on compilations.
The band released the second album called "Höllenbrut" in November 2009 - after the first new track was released on the sampler Re:connected Vol.2.
Discography
- Full-length albums:
- Troops (normal one CD edition, 2005)
- (the limited) Troops (limited two CD edition boxset with exclusive songs and remixes, poster and postcards, 2005)
- Höllenbrut (normal one CD edition, 2009)
- (the limited) Höllenbrut (limited two CD edition boxset with exclusive EP Nightbreeders, a sticker, poster and 12 tarot cards, 2009)
- Singles and EPs:
- Die Sechste Armee (part of the Square Marix 004 normal CD edition, 2004)
- Die Sechste Armee (part of the Square Marix 004 limited two CD edition boxset with bonus tracks, 2004)
Remixes by Dunkelwerk for other bands and projects
- Virtual EmbraceVirtual EmbraceVirtual Embrace is an aggrotech band from Berlin, Germany formed by Mike Johnson and DJ CyberChrist. Their first release was Roots of Evil EP in 2004 and became successful...
– Escape To Insane (2xcd, limited), Acquaintance (Remix by Dunkelwerk) - Neikka RPMNeikka RPMNeikka RPM is an electronic band from the United states.In 2002 Neikka RPM’s first single, “I Am Your Girl” appeared on the Cyberlab 3 compilation alongside acts such as The Young Gods and Juno Reactor....
– Here's Your Revoluition (ep CD), Here's Your Revolution (Deep Space Rescue Remix by Dunkelwerk) - Plastic Noise Experience – Maschinenraum (ep CD), Maschinen (Remix by Dunkelwerk)
- Neikka RPMNeikka RPMNeikka RPM is an electronic band from the United states.In 2002 Neikka RPM’s first single, “I Am Your Girl” appeared on the Cyberlab 3 compilation alongside acts such as The Young Gods and Juno Reactor....
– The Gemini Prophecies (2xcd, limited), Here's Your Revolution (Remix Version 2 by Dunkelwerk) - Crystalline Effect – Glass (2xcd), Another Rainy Day (Remix by Dunkelwerk)
- Patenbrigade:Wolff – Gefahrstoffe (single CD), Ostberliner Bauarbeiter (Remix by Dunkelwerk)
- Stereomotion – Resistance:2012 (CD), Holystigma (Remix by Dunkelwerk)
- XP8XP8XP8 is an Italian electronic group. The band started in 2001 as a trio, composed of Marco Visconti, Marko Resurreccion, and singer Paul Toohill....
– Endzeit Bunkertracks Act 1 (4xcd, limited boxset sampler), Straight Down (Remix by Dunkelwerk)
Dunkelwerk tracks on compilations
- Endzeit Bunkertracks Act 1 (4xcd, limited boxset sampler), Hope's Haven (short cut)
- Endzeit Bunkertracks Act 2 (4xcd, limited boxset sampler), Dresden (reduced)
- Re:Connected 1 (2xcd, sampler), Bastard
- Re:Connected 2 (2xcd, sampler), Your Love (rough cut)
- Cyberlab 4 (2xcd, sampler), 2Hell (Ladykiller Mixx)
- Cryonica Tanz V.3 (2xcd, sampler), Die Sechste Armee (Club is a battlefield cut)
- deCODER 2 (CD, sampler), Die Sechste Armee (M.A.O. Mix)
- Interbreeding 3 Xenophobic (2xcd, sampler), Stahlgrab (Compact Mixx)
- Interbreeding 7 The Flash Harvest/Natural Enemies (2xcd, sampler), Bastard (Against The Beast Version)
- Sounds From The Matrix 001 (CD, promotion sampler), 2Hell (Hellbreaker Mixx)
- Sounds From The Matrix 002 (CD, promotion sampler), Bastard (short cut)
- Sounds From The Matrix 003 (CD, promotion sampler), Underfire (Album)
- Synthphony REMIXed! 3 (CD, sampler), Bastard (African Frontline Mix by Implant)
- The Dark Entries…Into The Matrix (CD, promotion sampler), Die Sechste Armee (Club is a battlefield cut)
Special collaborations
- The Retrosic - Nightcrawler (Collector's edition) (2xcd, DVD), Bastard (The Retrosic Version with vocals by Cyrus) and Bastard (Retrosic Remix)
External links
- Dunkelwerk official website
- Dunkelwerk's official label Alfa Matrix
- list of Dunkelwerk releases on Discogs
- Dunkelwerk's official MySpace page
- German interview with Dunkelwerk on Uselinks
- German review of the Album Troops on Elektrauma
- German review of the Album Troops on Medienkonverter
- English interview with Dunkelwerk on Chain D.L.K.
- German review of the Album Troops on Necroweb
- English review of the album Troops on Regenmag
- English review of the album Troops on Virus-Mag