Einstürzende Neubauten is an ever-changing musical entity, originally forme… Read Full Bio ↴Einstürzende Neubauten is an ever-changing musical entity, originally formed in Berlin, Germany, on the 1st April 1980. Neubauten were initially seen as part of the second wave of industrial bands, filling the space left when Throbbing Gristle terminated their mission. Neubauten's early output fit the term "industrial" well, as it (ab)used the sounds of machinery, metal-on-metal, construction-site equipment, and treated tape loops, creating harsh soundscapes and rhythmic textures reminiscent of krautrock. Their inclusion on the record label Some Bizarre, with acts like Foetus, Coil, and Test Dept., consolidated this position as new industrial pioneers.

However, Neubauten soon outgrew the confines of even the broad scope of industrial music. In their 25-plus years, they have produced a dozen studio albums, live records, a remix album and EP, scored theatre pieces, and more.

Lead vocalist Blixa Bargeld is perhaps the best-known member of the group, both for his work with Neubauten and as guitarist for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. His fellow founding members Alexander Hacke and N.U. Unruh have likewise been active in various musical roles outside the group over the years.

Bassist Mark Chung was a member of the group from 1981 to 1994. He founded the publishing house Freibank Music Publishing to handle business affairs for Neubauten and other groups, and has continued in this role (concurrently serving as a senior vice-president of Sony Music International for nine years). Percussionist FM Einheit, was a member from 1981 to 1995, and has also been active as a solo artist and member of groups such as Gry.

Since 1997 the group has also included guitarist Jochen Arbeit and percussionist Rudi Moser.

Neubauten's most recent work has been available exclusively to subscribers to their online home, www.neubauten.org. Neubauten completed the third incarnation of their online project in November 2007 and were touring Europe in 2008 in support of their latest album Alles Wieder Offen.

Currently Einstürzende Neubauten is celebrating their 30th anniversary with a tour through Europe and the United States. In October/November 2010 the band is releasing Strategies Against Architecture IV, the fourth album in the archival compilation series by Neubauten which collates the band’s output from 2002-2010.

Hospitalistische Kinder:Engel Der Vernichtung
Einstürzende Neubauten Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ja warum? Spurenabdrücke ja!
Wovon sollte das sein? Komm!
Du sammelst alles auf was Du siehst! Gut so!
Vielleicht war das Ungeheuer das
Ja, das kann sein vielleicht auch nicht
Der Nächste bitte!

Keine Hemmungen mehr bis zur Sintflut!

Na und, dann Nagel doch!
Hört ihr heute Laßt euch sagen:
Einen Engel als Beute werden wir erschlagen
Hab' meine Verstand begraben
Meine Seele im Wüstenboden
Und ich will nich länger warten
Bis Gottes unendlicher Hoden
Endlich in Flammen aufgeht
Engel der Vernichtung engel der Vernichtung

Eingeschlossen in Schlafsaalträume
Betend zum neuen Engel der
Immernoch mein Engel ist
Wie ein Schatten über mir schwebend
Berauscht am Klang der Waffen
Werden mein Engel und ich Gott abschaffen
Und ich will nich länger warten

Bis Gottes unendlicher Hoden
Endlich in Flammen aufgeht

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Der Engel der Geschichte" by Einstürzende Neubauten convey a sense of chaos, rebellion, and a longing for destruction. The song begins with the line "Ja warum? Spurenabdrücke ja!" which can be interpreted as questioning the reasons behind our actions and the marks we leave behind. It suggests a playful cynicism, as if challenging the listener to come up with an answer. The following lines, "Wovon sollte das sein? Komm! / Du sammelst alles auf was Du siehst! Gut so!" seem to encourage a relentless pursuit of capturing everything that is seen, possibly indicating a desire to consume the world and its experiences.

The lyrics continue with provocative statements like "Einen Engel als Beute werden wir erschlagen" which can be understood as a call to metaphorically destroy the idea of an angel as something pure and divine. Instead, the song embraces the concept of an "Engel der Vernichtung" or "Angel of Destruction." There is a sense of defiance and rebellion against authority or traditional beliefs, as indicated by lines like "Keine Hemmungen mehr bis zur Sintflut! / Na und, dann Nagel doch!" In these lines, the singer is entertaining the idea of not holding back until the world is flooded and exhibiting a defiant attitude towards potential consequences.

Overall, the lyrics of "Der Engel der Geschichte" convey a sense of rebellion, destruction, and a willingness to question established beliefs and norms.

Line by Line Meaning

Ja warum? Spurenabdrücke ja!
Why yes? Footprints, indeed!

Wovon sollte das sein? Komm!
What should it be about? Come!

Du sammelst alles auf was Du siehst! Gut so!
You collect everything you see! Good for you!

Vielleicht war das Ungeheuer das
Maybe the monster that

Ja, das kann sein vielleicht auch nicht
Yes, that could be, or maybe not

Der Nächste bitte!
Next, please!

Keine Hemmungen mehr bis zur Sintflut!
No more inhibitions until the flood!

Na und, dann Nagel doch!
So what, then nail it!

Hört ihr heute Laßt euch sagen:
Listen today, let it be told to you:

Einen Engel als Beute werden wir erschlagen
We will slay an angel as prey

Hab' meine Verstand begraben
I have buried my mind