Einsturzende Neubauten: Ende Neu

Two years ago, it seemed unthinkable that the venerable industrial institution Einsturzende Neubauten would ever again be signed to anything resembling a major label. Blixa Bargeld is still best known for his side gig as guitarist for Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, and not for the band he has fronted for the past 18 years. But once Rammstein brought homoerotic German industrial music to the screaming masses, all bets were off. Not that the two acts sound particularly similar: While Rammstein hammers away with broad metal chords and even broader lyrics, EN is more concerned with the subtle manipulation of sounds and words. Even when the ur-German industrial band cuts loose with an all-out aggressive charge, there's a rhythmic quality that transcends the simpleminded assault of its industrial peers. Ende Neu's opening track, "Was Ist Ist," perfectly illustrates this balance: Amid a simplistic yet pummeling beat and a chorus of shouting thugs, Bargeld's word choice and chanting/sermonizing delivery anchor the song, transforming it into more of a hilarious, energetic poem than a standard expression of aggression. EN showcases some of its most subtle work to date on Ende Neu: "Die Explosion Im Festspielhaus" opens with a quiet minimalist bassline, which, as the song goes on, is augmented by low-key Hammond organ and the sound of a pencil scribbling on paper, eventually growing into an angelic chorus. The album even features a string arrangement (!) on the love song (!!) "Stella Maris," as well as an homage to the German experimental musicians of the '70s ("NNNAAAMMM"). For 18 years, Einsturzende Neubauten has continued moving forward, never failing to challenge itself or its fans. Ende Neu may be the band's most accessible work, yet it's still complex, compelling, and sublime.