In 1982 the band released the Goth classic "Incubus Succubus". Drummer Caro May left the band and formed a new band, and the vacant drummer position was filled by Manuela Zwingmann the same year. While German audiences were less than receptive at first, a United Kingdom tour opening for the Cocteau Twins resulted in a label deal with independent label 4AD Records. Their debut album, Fetisch and the singles "Qual" and "Incubus Succubus II" were released in 1983, all 3 making the UK Independent charts, even though the band wrote and performed in German.
Manuela Zwingmann left the band after one year, being replaced by Peter Bellendir. This lineup, Huwe/Rickers/Sangster/Ellerbrock/Bellendir proved to be the longest running. 1984 saw the release of the single "Reigen" and the album Tocsin, followed by a world tour through 1985.
The Sequenz EP was essentially a remake of a John Peel session, which had been originally recorded April 30, 1985, and was broadcast May 13, 1985. The EP contained the tracks Jahr Um Jahr II, Autumn (the band’s first English lyrics, apart from brief snatches of English that appeared in Qual, Young Man and Tag für Tag) and Polarlicht but omitted Der Wind, which was played at the Peel sessions.
1986 saw the release of Matador, produced by Hugh Cornwell of The Stranglers. Xmal Deutschland also opened for The Stranglers at a concert at Wembley Arena in London. Their follow-up album, Viva was recorded in Hamburg and was released in 1987, followed by the single "Sickle Moon". Viva contains a large number of English lyrics, among others a poem by Emily Dickinson. It was during this time that the band were interviewed by Jamie Meakes for the infamous underground Goth Fanzine 'House Of Dolls'.
After the release of Viva, Manuela Rickers, Fiona Sangster and Peter Bellendir left the group. Anja Huwe and Wolfgang Ellerbrock continue to work with Frank Z. (Abwärts) on guitar. Producer Henry Staroste played keyboards, and German studio drummer Curt Cress completed the line-up that would record the 1989 LP Devils and the singles "Dreamhouse" and "I’ll be near you". This also proved to be the last release of Xmal Deutschland, showing a change of direction towards mainstream pop. 1990 saw a few scattered live appearances by the group, but eventually the group split up.
Discography
EP:s and singles:
1981 7" Großstadtindianer - Zick-Zack Schallplatten ZZ 31
1982 12" Incubus Succubus - Zick-Zack Schallplatten ZZ 110
1983 12" Qual - 4AD Records BAD 305
1983 7" Incubus Succubus II - 4AD Records AD 311
1983 12" Incubus Succubus II - 4AD Records BAD 311
1985 7" Sequenz - Red Rhino RRE-1
1985 12" Sequenz - Red Rhino RRET-1
1986 12"/CD The Peel Sessions (30.04.85)- Strange Fruit SFPS017
1986 7" Matador - eXile XMAL 107
1986 12" Matador - eXile XMAL 112
1987 7" Sickle Moon - eXile XMAL 207
1987 12" Sickle Moon -eXile XMAL 212
1989 12" Dreamhouse - Metronome 871543-1
1989 12" I'll be near you - Metronome 889709-1
Albums:
1983 Fetisch
1984 Tocsin
1987 Viva
1989 Devils
Derwisch
Xmal Deutschland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oho-o, Derwisch
Immer schneller und immer wilder
Immer schneller, immer wilder
Derwisch
Im Rhythmus, Rhythmus
Eures Herzschlages
Im Rhythmus
Und ich tanze
Auch in euren Träumen
Und tanze, tanze
Tanz'
Eine schwarze Plage
Und tanze, tanze
Tanz'
Eine schwarze Plage
Eine schwarze Plage
Derwisch
Oho-o, Derwisch
Oh, immer schneller, immer wilder
Die Trommeln und Musik
Auch in, auch in euren Träumen
Euren Träumen
Derwisch
Immer schneller, immer wilder
The lyrics of the song "Derwisch" by Xmal Deutschland capture the essence of a mystical and frenzied dance performed by a Derwisch, a spiritual term that refers to a whirling dervish in Sufi Islamic tradition. The repetition of "Oho-o, Derwisch" sets a hypnotic and entrancing tone, as if calling upon the presence of this spiritual figure. The repeated phrases "Immer schneller und immer wilder" (always faster and always wilder) convey a sense of escalating intensity and energy, reflecting the ecstatic and trance-like state of the Derwisch's dance.
The mention of the rhythmic heartbeat in the lines "Im Rhythmus, Rhythmus / Eures Herzschlages" (In rhythm, rhythm / of your heartbeat) suggests a deep connection between the Derwisch's movements and the inner pulse of life. The rhythmic and pulsating music further enhances this connection, creating a sense of unity and synchronicity between the physical and spiritual realms. The act of dancing is portrayed as a transcendent experience that transcends the boundaries of waking consciousness, as indicated by the line "Und ich tanze / Auch in euren Träumen" (And I dance / Even in your dreams).
The imagery of a "black plague" mentioned in the lyrics symbolizes a dark and mysterious force that permeates the dance of the Derwisch. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for intense emotions, inner struggles, or societal unrest that are channeled and expressed through the ecstatic dance. The repeated exhortation to dance, "Tanz' eine schwarze Plage" (Dance a black plague), suggests a surrender to these powerful forces and a willingness to be consumed by the whirlwind of emotions and energies that the Derwisch embodies.
The final repetition of "Oho-o, Derwisch" and the closing lines "Die Trommeln und Musik / Auch in, auch in euren Träumen" (The drums and music / Even in, even in your dreams) reinforce the idea of the Derwisch's presence lingering in the dream world, continuing to inspire and captivate the listener even after the dance has ended. The overall intensity and urgency of the lyrics, combined with the hypnotic repetition and evocative imagery, create a vivid and immersive experience that invites the audience to enter the mystical and trance-like realm of the Derwisch's dance.
Line by Line Meaning
Oho-o, Derwisch
Calling upon the mystical energy of the Derwisch
Immer schneller und immer wilder
Moving faster and becoming wilder
Immer schneller, immer wilder
Always increasing speed and intensity
Im Rhythmus, Rhythmus
In the rhythm, the rhythm
Eures Herzschlages
Of your heartbeat
Und ich tanze
And I dance
Auch in euren Träumen
Even in your dreams
Und tanze, tanze
And dance, dance
Tanz' Eine schwarze Plage
Dance, a black plague
Eine schwarze Plage
A black plague
Die Trommeln und Musik
The drums and music
Auch in, auch in euren Träumen
Also in your dreams
Oho-o, Derwisch
Calling upon the mystical energy of the Derwisch
Oh, immer schneller, immer wilder
Oh, always faster, always wilder
Immer schneller, immer wilder
Always increasing speed and intensity
Writer(s): Fiona Sangster, Anja Huwe, Wolfgang Ellerbrock, Manuela Rickers, Peter Bellendir
Contributed by Abigail V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Oliwia Chrapczyńska
Where is ,,Jahr um Jahr''? I can't find lyrics.
Oliwia Chrapczyńska
Oho-o, Derwisch
Oho-o, Derwisch
Immer schneller und immer wilder
Immer schneller, immer wilder
Derwisch
Im Rhythmus, Rhythmus
Eures Herzschlages
Im Rhythmus
Und ich tanze
Auch in euren Träumen
Und tanze, tanze
Tanz'
Eine schwarze Plage
Und tanze, tanze
Tanz'
Eine schwarze Plage
Eine schwarze Plage
Derwisch
Oho-o, Derwisch
Oh, immer schneller, immer wilder
Die Trommeln und Musik
Auch in, auch in euren Träumen
Euren Träumen
Derwisch
Immer schneller, immer wilder
Oliwia Chrapczyńska
Du bist allein, du bist allein
Wie die Nacht ist dunkel
Kein Stern am Himmel
Nur die weißen Augen folgen deinem Herzschlag
Der Weg ist endlos...
Du bist allein, du bist allein
Wie die Nacht ist dunkel
Kein Stern am Himmel
Nur die weißen Augen folgen deinem Herzschlag
Der Weg ist endlos, endlos, endlos, endlos
Deine weiße Haut leuchtet wie Porzellan
Du bist schwarz wie die Nacht allein...
Deine weiße Haut leuchtet wie Porzellan
Du bist schwarz wie die Nacht allein...
Du findest kein Licht, es gibt keine Sonne
Die Erde...
Kommen nie hoch so wie das Himmelslicht
Du bist allein, allein, allein, allein, allein, allein...
Nur die weißen Augen folgen deinem Herzschlag
Sie zeigen ihre Krallen. Sie reißen dich hinunter
Du fällst, du fällst, du fällst, du fällst, du fällst, du fällst...
Dein Weg ist am Ende...
Dein Weg ist am Ende...