On the day of the band’s 16th anniversary, April 1, 1996, Blixa Bargeld wrote “Ende Neu” (Ending New), a text that immediately advanced to the title song of the Einstürzende Neubauten’s seventh album. This work marks one of the most important turning points in the band’s history to date, not only because of the strength of its almost prophetic words, but also thanks to some important musical developments as well as influential changes in band members.
Although the four composers leafed through their archives of the “industrialization” of modern music once again for this production, developing and bringing to light long-forgotten blueprints and chronicles for the most obscure sound makers of all times, the Einstürzende Neubauten’s compositions were never before as harmonious and lyrical as on “Ende Neu.” “Stella Maris,” a ballad performed in duet by Blixa Bargeld and Meret Becker accompanied by opulent string instruments, is probably the best known song that resulted from this reorientation. One of the first representatives in their new musical guild, this song helped the Einstürzende Neubauten to make the jump to MTV programming and the like.
