Prager Handgriff will release their influential 1993 debut album Arglistige Täuschung on vinyl for the very first time in March 2025.
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.
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.
