Released
1999

Label
Novatekk

Reviewed by
Donald Netolitzky

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Wumpscut at Insania

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Last Edit/Update
03 May, 1999

:Wumpscut:

Totmacher (Deadmaker)

Track listing

CD 1
1 Totmacher, Wumpscut (original mix)
2 -
3 Totmacher, Forma Tadre
4 -
5 Totmacher, Covenant
6 -
7 Totmacher, Haujobb
8 -
9 Totmacher, Cleen
10 -
11 Totmacher, Notstandskomitee
12 -
13 Totmacher, Suicide Commando
14 -
15 Totmacher, Infact
16 -
17 Totmacher, VNV Nation

CD 2

1 Totmacher, Wumpscut (original mix)
2 -
3 Totmacher, FAV
4 -
5 Totmacher, B-Ton-K
6 -
7 Totmacher, Jugend Staat/Death Industry
8 -
9 Totmacher, Infact
10 -
11 Totmacher, Puls/KK
12 -
13 Totmacher, Notstandskomitee
14 -
15 Totmacher, Dr. Mabuse
16 -
17 Totmacher, Aghast View
18 -
19 Noyce

    What perhaps isn't strange about Totmacher (Deadmaker) is not that this product ultimately fails, but rather how it pauses on the very threshold of success. And given the nature of this all too peculiar, if not excessive, 2 CD ep single, that fact alone is impressive, and intriguing. That's right. Totmacher is a single. Though it's two CD's long. Two CD's, a total of 18 versions and remixes of a single song. A little self indulgent? Gods yes! But given the impressive talent producing these remixes there's a chance of transforming a dreadfully repetitious experience into a tribute to Ratzinger's work, variations on a theme. And this project does approach that point... so very close.
    But, ultimately, the clash of styles, the inconsistency in the quality of the remixes, and the ... simple overload of exposure to Totmacher itself creates a listening experience which is grueling rather than eloquent. That's not to say there aren't some remarkable tracks amongst the two CD's. Just don't anticipate equally delightful experiences.
    Totmacher itself is classic Wumpscut, gentle guitars tracing a quiet theme in crystalline harmony, percussion and harsh vocals (thankfully in German! Speak your native tongue, you teutons! We adore it!) building to a energetically paced yet still somehow delicate form. Well adapted to the dance floor, the single itself is a welcome new composition, certainly equal to the best of Embryodead, and Bunkergate Seven. No Wumpscut fan will be disappointed.
    Each CD leads with the original Wumpscut composition, followed by a number of remixes, alternating with a short (identical) German language movie sample. The samples are useful in separating each musical experience, quite a necessity given the range of styles and forms, a functional compromise attempt to produce a remix CD which is still a comfortable listening experience. Nevertheless, after nine encounters with the same sample, fatigue is indeed a factor.
    The remixes are a mixed lot. In some cases, quite typical of the style of the artists responsible for the track, in others, one can only wonder just what had transpired. Notable efforts include the EBM variant by Dr. Mabuse, the astonishing atmospheric Forma Tadre mix, fluid and subtle, the delicately sensuous, flowing Cleen mix, the quirky ambient Notstandskomtee variant with sitar and cowbells, and the simple and methodical rendition by B-Ton-K. DJ's will delight in effective dance versions by Covenant, Suicide Commando, Noyce and FAV, which neatly span a range of dance styles, light EBM to aggressive industrial.
    Balancing these successes are, typically, the noisier tracks. Clumsy reinterpretations include Jugend Staat/Death Industry, Infact, and the particularly unexpected and unwelcome VNV Nation remix in which almost every trace of the original song, melody, and vocals have been submerged under a distorted power noise beat and samples - Solitary, it isn't.
    Thankfully, Totmacher is not all that expensive, and given the range and quantity of material presented, likely worth the investment. Wumpscut fans will most certainly be pleased with the original mix, and given the significant number of skillful remixes, most will find other moments which quietly delight.       But two full CDs? Perhaps with a cull, a single CD of more consistent style, and content, might have been possible. Of course, given the simple range of intensities, and interpretations, almost any listener will likely find some remixes to hold interest, still one cannot help but wonder whether the typical Wumpscut consumer will truly enjoy the more extreme and noisy versions.
    And while, as a whole, Totmacher may be a less than complete victory, there are moments which are truly notable. So very, very close to be a magical experience. How frustrating. But program the CD player to skip amongst the tracks, and who knows what the listener might reconstruct?