STAHLWERK 9

[FreakAnimalFinland]

Recommended & the not recommended?
I recently commented the "retro mekanik" CD on playlist, which I find pretty good. I got bunch of LP's and massive 7" wood box set (was it 12x7"??). Often I get the feeling this is good, but then next release doesn't do it.

[Goat93]

i think the Vaterland 2CDR was really good, but other stuff i don't like too much.

[Human Larvae]

Oradour was my first release by them. I always liked that one, even though it's more ambientish. "Der Tod nagelt die Augen zu" had a good opening track, the rest I can somehow never remember

[icepick method]

the rest I can somehow never remember

That's how i feel about everything from them. Nothing memorable. Same with most stuff on steinklang. They work well within the framework of an established genre/sound. But not in the classic sounding way of knifeladder or sektor 304. Maybe it has something to do with how it's made, possibly all sample based, sounds never leave the inside of a computer so they don't ring true or something. i donno. i've tried to like it but... none of it ever stayed with me.   

[catharticprocess]

I really enjoyed the Stahlwerk 9 / Rastof Dachau LP, and the "Der Tod Nagelt Die Augen Zu" LP. It's not earth-shattering or genre-bending, but it is well-crafted and thoughtful, producing an enjoyable listen. It's worth it to give them a listen, especially because they won't set you back much. I never got the feeling that they were computer creations. I always got the vibe that they were akin to a lot of early 90s workstation synth post-industrial. Every once in awhile I really crave this style of dark ambient - death industrial crossover that I think they do well.

[tiny_tove]

I enjoy most of his work. Live he was really powerful. I remember especially the excellent live action with R. Dachau in Paris in a place that looked like a Bainleu. Interesting experience.

[FreakAnimalFinland]

My feelings from decade old message remains pretty much the same! Stahlwerk 9 is something I grew to appereciate. Back in the day, nothing really made me -that- interested, but little by little modest collection of his works, including records, cd's, 7" boxes, splits.. and I must conclude that it is one of those bands I never really hunted down and consciously collected, just ended up having. This 45rpm 12" is very cheap to buy and I guess it's on bandcamp too. About 20 minutes of industrial sound, ranging from eerie "historical" keyboard sounds accompanies with spoken poetry, but also harsh industrial sounds. I would say it works very well. Especially b-side is notable. "Upon the cross, I perish", old russian poem focusing on Babi Yar, narrated over gloomy industrial soundscape and followed by aggressive rhythmic "Corrosive Passion" as conclusion of the ep. 12" cover says that this was composed by R. Hopfe & M.Persch. Man that was funny when mr. Persch business of african funk vinyl reissues crossed over with his work in industrial music as Rasthof Dachau etc.. hah. Did not seem possible to explain the african funk scene what's up with content of "euro power electronics", haha...

[Zeno Marx]

I think it's fair to put them in the same quality territory as Steinklang, but I go through periods when I fiend for that tier of power-electronics/rhythmic noise/death industrial/dark ambient.  I was listening to Heimatfrost today, after listening to Lustmord - Trinity, and I was very satisfied.  It might even be deserving of that LOKI Foundation and Malignant tier.  It's really not that far off Inade, Herbst9, Land:Fire, et al.

https://grubenwehrfreiburg.bandcamp.com/album/heimatfrost

[Phenol]

I don't have all releases, but have gathered a good collection over the years as I tend to add cheaper stuff to the order when buying more expensive used records online. I think he's kept a consistently high quality throughout the discography and it happens fairly often that I'm in the mood for that specific blend of heavy electronics and dark ambient. Oradour and Babi Yar are probably the ones that find their way to the stereo most frequently. The split with Rasthof Dachau is excellent too. But really, I have yet to hear anything that I didn't like from him.

[BlackCavendish]

The split with Rasthof Dachau is excellent too. But really, I have yet to hear anything that I didn't like from him.

Not a big connoisseur of the SW9 catalogue, but I've always enjoyed the stuff I've heard here and there. Every once in a while I get back to the above mentioned split. It's pretty simple and straightforward (and I mean that as a compliment), but I think it works incredibly well with its basic structure, loops and pulsating rhythms, samples and reverberating voices.

Sometimes you don't need to reinvent the wheel, you just need to do the right things in the right way.