Prager Handgriff will release their influential 1993 debut album Arglistige Täuschung on vinyl for the very first time as of 25th April.
The new reissue will be limited to 300 copies in transparent red and 300 in transparent turquoise, and will include three bonus tracks. A limited wooden box edition limited to 50 copies will also be available.
The record was originally intended for March, the delay being due to unforeseen quality issues with the initial pressing.
In a statement released by the labels involved, they explained their unwavering commitment to delivering a product that meets the high standards of dedicated record collectors:
“Who are Rune Serpent Europa and Assur Anshar Records? Before being a label, we are criminal record collectors! This means that from the moment we founded the label, the quality of our products was paramount, above all else. For us, this is a sort of mission, not just a job! We relied on a well-known pressing plant, at least online given their advertising, but the quality of the vinyl received did not meet our standards as criminal record collectors at all! Therefore, we immediately cancelled the production of Prager Handgriff with them and turned to another company, which serves several giants of the record market.
“We have only announced this problem now because we wanted to reveal a precise date for the delivery and distribution of the record alongside the delay. We also apologise to our exclusive worldwide distributor, The Circle Music, for this initial misstep, with the promise that it will never happen again! Therefore, we can announce a confirmed distribution date, set for 25 April 2025! Finally, we apologise to all the many supporters of the band, asking them to be patient for a few weeks, with the final result of having a record in their hands worthy of Olympus! And all future productions will have the same standard! Forgiveness, forgiveness, forgiveness for our inexperience, and merit, merit, merit for our dedication!”
Arglistige Täuschung – translated as “Deceptive Deception” – has been described as “a masterpiece of dark industrial EBM that blends haunting atmospheres, intricate sound design, and disturbing melodies”.
Formed in 1990 in Witten, Germany by Stefan Schäfer (vocals) and Volker Rathmann (machines), the German group, known for their dark and uncompromising approach, solidified their reputation with this groundbreaking album.
Following a few tape releases, Arglistige Täuschung was released and proved to be a real commercial success for Prager Handgriff’s record label with its sonic innovations and its post-DAF or Nitzer Ebb power and an underlying rawness that remained the band’s trademark over the years. A record that is both thought-provoking and captivating, from the first track ‘Tibet’, the listener is immersed in a world of dissonance and dark beauty. It is a mood setter, preparing you for the psychological journey that awaits, without ever letting up.
The use of synthesszers is particularly masterful, with cold, metallic tones underpinned by warm, organic bass lines that give the album a sense of isolation and intimacy. One of the most notable features is the vocal delivery, which oscillates between haunting chants and a low bass voice. There is a sense of controlled chaos throughout the record, where sounds often seem on the verge of disintegration, but always held together by a singular and intense vision. It is dark, thought-provoking and bold, an album that will continue to reveal more with every listen. With Arglistige Täuschung, Prager Handgriff created something unique: a compelling and multifaceted sonic experience – A record that demands attention, patience, and a willingness to embrace the uncomfortable.
