Various Artists - Deutschland Strike-Back

Deutschland Strike-Back is a notable alternative compilation album released in 1989 by the independent label Strike Back Records. The compilation serves as a curated time capsule of the late-1980s German underground music scene, blending subgenres like Industrial, Synth-pop, House, and Neue Deutsche Welle (NDW). It features influential tracks from prominent avant-garde acts such as Xmal Deutschland, Palais Schaumburg, and Die Erde. A standout highlight of the release is the dark, gritty collaboration between German post-punk band Die Haut and Australian musician Nick Cave on their cover of "I Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)".

The release was primarily distributed as a vinyl LP, formally titled Deutschland Strike-Back Compilation (Volume One), alongside a rare 7-inch promotional sampler. Because it focused on niche, experimental German artists of the era, the album never achieved mainstream commercial chart success and has since become a sought-after collector's item. Today, physical copies of the vinyl are scarce, making the compilation a prized find for enthusiasts of late-20th-century European darkwave and independent electronic music.

Released in 1989 by the UK-based independent label Strike Back Records, the compilation Deutschland Strike-Back stands as a compelling and gritty sonic artifact of the late-1980s German underground. Eschewing the commercial pop tropes of the era, the record offers a curated dive into the subcultures of Neue Deutsche Welle (NDW), industrial, and synth-pop. As a whole, the compilation manages to balance an aggressive, cold wave aesthetic with moments of danceable groove, mapping out a unique musical landscape where experimental instrumentation meets politically and socially charged German artistry.

The track selection expertly highlights the diverse textures of Germany’s post-punk and independent electronic movements. Xmal Deutschland anchors the compilation with the icy, atmospheric drive of "Kälbermarsch", while Palais Schaumburg injects a frantic, minimalist energy via their track "Telephon". A major high point for listeners is the dark and brooding collaboration between post-punk outfit Die Haut and Nick Cave on their cover of "I Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)". This track bridges the gap between raw Australian garage rock and cold German minimalism, serving as a masterclass in tension and atmospheric dread.

From a production and structural standpoint, the album thrives on its lack of predictability. Rather than conforming to traditional pop structures, tracks like Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle’s "Viel zu Viel" and Die Erde's "Party" reject classic verse-chorus formats in favour of looping basslines, art-punk arrangements, and spoken-word delivery. This gives the record a highly authentic, "do-it-yourself" underground club atmosphere. However, the juxtaposition of rhythmic synth-pop alongside harsh, abrasive industrial cuts means the pacing can feel slightly jarring to the uninitiated listener, switching abruptly from danceable electronics to avant-garde noise.

Ultimately, Deutschland Strike-Back acts as a brilliant, historical time capsule rather than a mainstream crowd-pleaser. Originally distributed as a full vinyl LP alongside a rare 7-inch promotional sampler, the release serves as an essential archive for collectors of European darkwave and alternative music history. It might not be a record for casual daily listening, but its historical value and sheer subcultural attitude earn it an honorable place in the lineage of 1980s independent music, making it well worth tracking down on collector platforms like Discogs.

Ripped to MP3

Side A

A1. Die Erde – "Party" (4:26)

A2. Coco Pino – "Derwisch" (or self-titled track)

A3. Einstürzende Neubauten – "Tanz Debil"

A4. Die Haut & Nick Cave – "I Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" (3:02)

A5. Kastrierte Philosophen – "40th Generation"

A6. 39 Clocks – "The Violent Ones"

Side B

B1. Flowerpornoes – "I Never Wanted To Fall In Love With Brix Smith" (2:23)

B2. Palais Schaumburg – "Telefon" (2:23)

B3. Cpt. Kirk &. – "House Haus"

B4. Xmal Deutschland – "Kälbermarsch" (2:33)

B5. Don't Worry – "Go Away" (or self-titled track)

B6. Blumen Ohne Duft – "Bad Girls Go To Hell" (2:47)

B7. Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle (FSK) – "Viel zu Viel" (3:51)