Today’s video of the day is Einstürzende Neubauten – “Trinklied” released in 1985.
The song Trinklied by Einstürzende Neubauten was released in 1985 on their album Halber Mensch. The German experimental group, known for their use of scrap metal and power tools as instruments, formed in West Berlin in 1980. Their unique sound, combining industrial noise and performance art, set them apart in the music world. Halber Mensch, released on Some Bizzare Records, continued to push these boundaries. In 1986, Japanese director Gakuryū Ishii (then known as Sōgo Ishii) directed a one-hour film titled Halber Mensch. The film documents the band’s 1985 visit to Japan and features concert footage as well as video performances of several tracks from the album. Trinklied is one of these songs, presented with a raw, industrial aesthetic. The band performs in an industrial setting, accompanied by Butoh dancers, adding a haunting, dramatic element to the visuals.
The film was originally released on VHS and later remastered on DVD in 2005, although the video quality remained lower due to disputes with the label over the original master. The band eventually released a remastered version on their own label to maintain control over the quality and distribution. Halber Mensch marked a key period in Einstürzende Neubauten’s career. The album’s harsh, abrasive sound fit well with their earlier work, but it also showed growth in their ability to combine noise with rhythm. This song, like others on the album, reflects their ongoing exploration of sound, challenging the traditional boundaries of music.
Einstürzende Neubauten’s name translates to “Collapsing New Buildings,” referencing the post-WWII architecture in Germany. This fits the band’s ethos of deconstructing the old to create something entirely new. The Halber Mensch album, including Trinklied, stands as a vital part of the band’s discography, linking the chaos of their earlier releases with their later, more refined sound.
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