Some while back, I covered the original West German release of Xmal Deutschland’s second single, ‘Incubus Succubus’ – read more here. Easily one of their most vital pieces, having signed to 4AD records the band saw fit to re-record it in 1983 and release a new version, this time produced by 4AD label head Ivo along with John Fryer. Released in the UK on 7″ and 12″ pressings, the version was not radically different from the first take, but even so it somehow managed to acquire a unique number to differentiate it. Something of an archetypal Xmal gothic, lupine howl, it appealed a great deal and was my initial entry into all things Xmal in the autumn of 1983. The bass-propelled, tomtom-heavy ‘Vito’ on the flip side was equally exciting – and fighting above the jagged guitars, the gothic organ tones of the Casio MT30 keyboard – small but deadly!
Surprisingly though, the UK 7″ and 12″ editions were identical, from the versions of the tracks contained in the grooves to the tastefully wrapped 23 Envelope sleeve design (which in itself was something unique for that fledgling design house, featuring the band themselves pictured, albeit half hidden).
Featured here however is the Japanese version. Having not had the previous ‘Qual’ remix 12″ released there, this particular 12″ release saw fit to take the two tracks from the UK release and further tack on the two tracks which had been included along with ‘Qual’, in the shape of the excellent ‘Zeit’ and ‘Sehnsucht’. So, all in all, a very appealing four track 12″ EP instead.
