(RockAndMetal.com) (01/30/04)

By Michael Bennett

LONDON, UK - NITZER EBB are one of those acts whose influence just grows and grows. Having formed in the early 80's, this Colchester-based foursome (occasionally a trio) were one of the most lauded exponents of the Industrial/Hardbeat style, fusing pummelling electronic rhythms with equally fierce lyrical content and delivery.

The Industrial sound is enjoying a renaissance at the moment - at a time when older strains of electronic music are being hunted down to satisfy the cravings of a new generation of retro savvy clubbers.

But even before the current 80's revival, within Techno in particular, many of the key players on the scene have namechecked EBM acts as key catalysts in their own musical development.

Notably, Richie Hawtin included the classic NITZER EBB track, 'Let Your Body Learn,' on his groundbreaking "Decks EFX & 909" mix compilation, harnessing its infectious, stomping call to dance to great effect, and in the process introducing the tune to many brand new ears.

Similarly, if you check the tracklists of any Surgeon sets over the past year, you're almost guaranteed to find a NITZER EBB track in there.

'Murderous'/'Control I'm Here,' a third (and final) set of NITZER EBB remixes has just been released by Novamute in the UK.

Two previously released 12" singles in 2001 and 2002 have included remixes by Derrick May, Thomas P. Heckmann, Terence Fixmer and The Hacker.

Mute will also release a comprehensive NITZER EBB retrospective entitled "Body Of Work," a double CD and DVD package, in the Spring.

'Murderous' was first released in November 1986, at a time when the band's star was firmly in ascension -- coming from the same period as both 'Join In The Chant,' and the aforementioned 'Let Your Body Learn.'

For this remix, Belfast's Phil Kieran retains the tough industrial drive of the original, and its spiky keyboards, and makes brilliant use of the vocal -- dropping it sparingly throughout.

This is an effective repackaging of the song for today's dancefloors -- maintaining all the energy of the original.

'Control I'm Here' comes from a later time in the band's career - October 1988.

LFO man Mark Bell offers a more radical reworking of the NITZER EBB version, darking it up to the max with some heavy synths.

Despite this imposing feel, the tempo is firmly on the upbeat tip, in a haze of sparkling hi-hats and 808 toms.

As such, it probably mimics the contrast of body-moving power rhythms with serious and occasionally unnerving vocal content that the band always managed to combine.

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