Das Ich

Das Ich is a German Darkwave/Goth-Industrial music group formed in 1989. The group, fronted by Stefan Ackermann and Bruno Kramm, were one of the prominent founders of and contributors to "Neue Deutsche Todeskunst" (New German Death Art) a musical movement in the early 1990s. The band is known for having a classically-inspired gothic-industrial style, for their on-stage theatrics, and their almost exclusive use of German language lyrics. The German term das Ich makes reference to the Freudian concept James Strachey translated as "ego" (lit. "The I").

Das Ich
Background information
OriginBavaria, Germany
Genres
Years active1989–present
Labels
MembersStefan Ackermann
Bruno Kramm

History

Bruno Kramm and Stefan Ackermann met in Bayreuth, Germany, in 1989 at a nightclub called the "Crazy Elephant." Bruno had already been involved in several band projects, and after some hours of socializing the two decided to begin a project together.[1]

Bruno Kramm at the 10. Nocturnal Culture Night festival (2015)

In 1989, the members of Das Ich founded the Danse Macabre record label which released their first EP, Satanische Verse, and their first album, Die Propheten. Die Propheten was released in Germany in 1991 and was reissued in the US in 1997, selling over thirty thousand copies. Their second album, Staub was released in 1994 and charted in Germany for 11 weeks.[2] The band played many live shows in Europe but made its first US tour in June 1995[1] and a second, longer US tour of 13 shows in 1997.[3]

In 1998, the album Egodram, saw the group moving towards a more rhythmic, industrial dance-oriented sound, resulting in the club singles "Kindgott" and "Destillat". The album was followed by a tour in 1998 in America and Mexico. Later in 1998 the band released their next album, Morgue, a concept album with lyrics based on the poems of expressionist writer Gottfried Benn.[4]

In 1999, they released a remix album, Re-Laborat, that included Das Ich songs remixed by popular electro-industrial bands including And One, Funker Vogt, Wumpscut, and VNV Nation. Bruno Kramm released his solo spin off Coeur in 2000.

In 2002, Das Ich released the album Antichrist, which is a critical reflection on world politics post-9-11.[2] In 2003 the best-of album, Relikt, was released.

In 2004, they released the double album Lava, made of:
Lava:Glut: Disc with more instrumental than industrial tracks.
Lava:Asche: Disc with dance versions of songs from Lava:Glut.
Lava:Addendum: Bonus DVD packaged with some versions of the release.

Stefan Ackermann at the 10. Nocturnal Culture Night festival (2015)

In 2006, they released an additional dual album:
Cabaret: Disc with circus style songs, like the name implies, and more instrumental.
Varieté: Disc with versions of songs from Cabaret remixed by bands including Stillste Stund, Metallspürunde, FabrikC, etc.

In the same year, they released a new DVD, Panopticum.

After 2010 the band underwent a short hiatus due to the health problems suffered by lead singer Stefan Ackermann,[5] but the band had a revival with their performance at the Wave-Gotik-Treffen in 2013.

In 2017, the band remastered and re-released their first EP, Satanische Verse, as a limited-edition (500 copies), vinyl with additional tracks.[6]

In 2018 an announcement about creating new album appeared on official web site, originally scheduled for release in 2017 or 2018, that has yet to be released.

Band members

Live band members
  • Stefan Siegl (Sissy) (2006)
  • Kain Gabriel Simon (2000-2006, 2016)
  • Daniel Galda (1994–1999)
  • Chad Blinman (1994–1996)
  • Jakob Lang (1998–1999)
  • Michael Schmid (1999–2000)
  • Ringo Müller (2006)
  • Damian “Plague” Hrunka (2000-present)
  • Martin Söffker - keyboards, backing vocals (2008-present)

In film

Music by Das Ich made up the soundtrack of the movie Das Ewige Licht (eng. "The Eternal Light"), directed and produced by Hans Helmut Häßler.[2] The soundtrack was released as Das Innere Ich in 1996.

Discography

Studio albums
  • 1990: Satanische Verse (eng. Satanic Verses)
  • 1991: Die Propheten (eng. The Prophets) (Re-released in 2009)
  • 1994: Staub (eng. Dust)
  • 1998: Egodram
  • 1998: Morgue
  • 2002: Anti'christ
  • 2004: LAVA:Glut (eng. LAVA:Ember)
  • 2006: Cabaret (Limited Box Set issued featuring Remix album Varieté and DVD Panopticum)

Extended plays
  • 2008: Kannibale

Remix albums
  • 2000: Re-Laborat
  • 2004: LAVA:Asche (Remixes of Lava:Glut; eng. LAVA:Ash)

Singles
  • 1994: "Stigma"
  • 1998: "Kindgott" (eng. "Child God")
  • 1998: "Destillat"

Soundtracks
  • 1996: Das Innere Ich (eng. The Inner Self)

Compilations
  • 1999: Re-Kapitulation (Compilation, US only)
  • 2003: Relikt (Compilation; eng. Relic)
  • 2007: Alter Ego (Best-of compilation)
  • 2007: Addendum (Compilation of remixes, rare tracks and alternate versions)

Live albums
  • 1995: Feuer (eng. Fire)

Video
  • 2002: Momentum (VCD/DVD)

Side projects
  • 1995: Die Liebe (feat. Atrocity, LP; eng. The Love)
  • 2000: Coeur (CD) (Solo project released as "Kramm")

References
  1. Goldman, Stefani (1996). "Interview: Das Ich". Culture Shock. Hackensack, NJ: Genocide Project (03.96): 21. ISSN 1093-1651.
  2. Perez, Omar (9 Jan 2003). "Ego Trip". The New Times Broward-Palm Beach. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  3. Christian, Chris (Jul 1997). "Interview with Das Ich". Sonic Boom. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  4. Wattergniaux, Cédric (Mar 1999). Dolimont, Séba (ed.). "Das Ich: Morgue, A Student's Task". Side-Line Music Magazine. Belgium: Didier Delhez (26): 16–17.
  5. Emiliantha (2 Mar 2012). "Das Ich frontman emerges from a brain hemmorhage to resume his adored craziness". Electronic Noise Experience. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  6. Van Isacker, Bernard (22 Feb 2018). "Das Ich sees cult debut EP 'Satanische Verse' remastered on vinyl". Side-Line. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
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