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
Qual
Xmal Deutschland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Deine Qual ist meine Lust
Meine Liebe ist dein Tod
Nachts wenn do schlaefst bin ich lebendig
Nachts wenn do schlaefst bin ich lebendig
Nachts wenn do schlaefst bin ich lebendig
Mein Tag ist deine Daemmerung
Meine Wiege ist dein Grab
Deine Qual ist meine Lust
Meine Liebe ist dein Tod
Meine Liebe
I'll murder you
I'll murder you
I'll murder you
I'll murder you
The lyrics of Xmal Deutschland's song "Qual" convey a haunting and obsessive message of a person who derives pleasure from the pain and suffering of their partner. The repetition of "Deine Qual ist meine Lust" (Your pain is my pleasure) drives this disturbing point home. The singer is portrayed as only feeling alive when their partner is asleep, allowing them to indulge in their twisted desires. The line "Meine Liebe ist dein Tod" (My love is your death) solidifies the dark and dangerous nature of this relationship, implying that the singer's twisted affection will ultimately lead to the demise of their partner. The final repetition of "I'll murder you" is a chilling and ominous declaration, marking the singer as someone to be feared.
Overall, the lyrics of "Qual" are a disturbing portrayal of an unhealthy and destructive relationship. The obsessive and possessive nature of the singer's "love" is toxic and potentially deadly. The repetitious and relentless nature of the lyrics creates an oppressive and ominous mood that leaves the listener uncomfortable and uneasy.
Line by Line Meaning
Deine Qual ist meine Lust
I derive pleasure from your pain and suffering
Deine Qual ist meine Lust
I enjoy seeing you in agony
Meine Liebe ist dein Tod
My love for you will be the cause of your demise
Nachts wenn do schlaefst bin ich lebendig
I come alive at night while you are sleeping
Nachts wenn do schlaefst bin ich lebendig
I am only truly alive when you are vulnerable and defenseless
Nachts wenn do schlaefst bin ich lebendig
I find joy in taking advantage of you while you are unaware
Mein Tag ist deine Daemmerung
Your day will turn to darkness when I am near
Mein Tag ist deine Daemmerung
I will bring chaos and destruction into your life
Meine Wiege ist dein Grab
I was born to be the end of you
Deine Qual ist meine Lust
I take pleasure in watching you suffer
Meine Liebe ist dein Tod
My twisted love for you will only lead to your demise
Meine Liebe
My love for you is toxic and dangerous
I'll murder you
I will kill you without hesitation
I'll murder you
You are nothing but a pawn in my sick game
I'll murder you
Your life is mine to take
I'll murder you
You should be scared of me
Lyrics © Freibank Musikverlags und vermarktungs GmbH, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANJA HOWE, FIONA SANGSTER, MANUELA RICKERS, MANUELA ZWINGMANN, WOLFGANG ELLERBROCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Oliwia Chrapczyńska
Where is ,,Jahr um Jahr''? I can't find lyrics.
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...