Abwärts

About

Abwärts descended from Hamburg's post-punk ether in 1979, a spectral force fronted by Margita Haberland's haunting vocals and FM Einheit's avant-garde percussion and synthesizer. Their soundscapes, raw and experimental, captured the analog warmth of the era, peppered with German lyrics and a skeletal aesthetic. Early releases like "Computerstaat" (1980, ZickZack Platten) and "Roboter In Der Nacht" (1981, ZickZack Platten) etched their mark on Germany's underground scene, resonating with the nocturnal energy of a city under tension. The band's lineup was a revolving door of musicians, with notable figures like Mark Chung and FM Einheit later aligning with Einstürzende Neubauten, further entwining their narrative with the German post-punk tapestry. Abwärts' live recordings, such as "Musik für deutsche GI's live Hamburg und Hannover" (1982, Rip Off), encapsulated their chaotic energy, a testament to their prowess on stage. Their discography, spanning a decade, includes releases like "Der Westen ist Einsam" (1982, Mercury) and "Amok Koma" (1987, Normal), each piece a cold, precise reflection of their artistic vision. The band's trajectory concluded with "Ich Seh Die Schiffe Den Fluss Herunterfahren" (1990, Virgin), a spectral epitaph for their era.