On this month’s Patreon-supported bonus podcast, we’re discussing the first LP by legendary Belgian dark electro pioneers The Klinik. Sabotage, the only record to feature the four person line-up of the band is instructive, in that it threads the origins of the group in the wave scene with distinctly industrial aesthetics. We discuss both how it foreshadows The Klinik’s later work, and what is specifically unique about them at this early juncture. All this month on We Have a Commentary, an I Die: You Die bonus podcast. If you like you can rate and subscribe on iTunes, Google Play Music, download directly or stream from the widget down below.
We Have a Commentary: The Klinik, "Sabotage"
Lovely to see this one being discussed, its generally passed over in favor of Face to Face. They really managed to capture the feeling of malaise perfectly on this record. With regard as to what Verhaeghen is up to:
https://theklinik1.bandcamp.com/releases
Sabotage is very unique in their discography as it’s a genius mix of experimental, (dark) ambient and some EBM (Hours + hours being the most danceable track on this album which is FAR superior to Face to face. I can’t tell how many times I did listen to this classic album.
I was surprised at how brief this album feels without the “pain and pleasure” tracks added in the box set. 80’s Klinik is easily in my top 5 favorite artists of all time. i don’t think i could pick a favorite album, they’re all quite effective in different ways.
The “horn” / “tombone” is definitely a trumpet in the opinion of this trumpet player. Also very obvious on the Leeb/Vaerhagen Noise Unit albums.
The 808 cowbell is obvious on Hours and Hours (cf that early Whitney donk).
Brain failure on the 808 point, appropriate at least… it’s the rimshot not cowbell, which iirc is also present on certain cheaper Boss drum machines.