Zeitkratzer

Not to be confused with the first volume released by Karlrecords in 2017, here comes the second installment of 'modern composition supergroup' - as nailed down by The Wire - Zeitkratzer's re-interpretations of early compositions by electronic pioneers Kraftwerk. Founded in 1997 by Reinhold Friedl, Zeitkratzer have since been creating an impressive broad catalogue of recordings, from the obligatory (20th Century avant-garde composers like Cage, Stockhausen or Lucier) to the unexpected (electronic artists such as Carsten Nicolai, Terre Thaemlitz or underground experimentalists like Throbbing Gristle and Keiji Haino) - but hardly anyone was prepared for the ensemble’s choice of early Kraftwerk pieces! When Volume 1 was released in 2017, Zeitkratzer founder and director Reinhold Friedl announced that there'll be a Volume 2 of course – and here it is: from the opening drony horns of Harmonika to the subtle guitar of the album closer Wellenlänge, the four tracks own all the interpretatory and aesthetic acerbity the ensemble is known and praised for.

The first album made it immediately into 'The Wire office ambience' playlist and to the 'Best of Bandcamp Contemporary Classical Releases': "Zeitkratzer’s interpretations are bouncy, horn-driven motorik grooves, static explorations of pointillistic overtones, breathy Zen-like meditations, and rollicking rhythms." The Spanish Rockdelux concluded: "Keep close and be happy to get more!" Sonic Seducer attested Zeitkratzer to "uncover unexpected potential. It’s a blessing that the next Kraftwerk is already announced!" And here it is! Now you can listen to all the music of the first two Kraftwerk albums "as gloriously played as one could ever desire" (Vital Weekly). Recorded live at Hellerau - European Centre for the Arts, Dresden in January 2019, Zeitkratzer Performs Songs from 'Kraftwerk 2' and 'Kraftwerk' "delivers the compositions that were still missing to complete Zeitkratzer's stunning take on the early, hybrid kraut-esque electronic avantgarde albums Kraftwerk and Kraftwerk 2. Mission accomplished! A must-have. As German radio SWR agreed: "Zeitkratzer is serious music turned from stiff to joy!"