Sankt Otten
Wunden Gibt Es Immer Wieder
Hidden Shoal Recordings

Once tagged by the German music press as the 'German Portishead' (which isn't quite accurate, but...Sankt Otten has drawn inspiration from Portishead, as well as the compositions of Ennio Morricone, John Barry, David Holmes and Talk Talk), Sankt Otten might be Germany's finest act with their blissful electronic soundscapes. Wunden Gibt Es Immer Wieder is their second album for Hidden Shoal.

Sankt Otten is a duo. Stephan Otten (piano) and Oliver Klemm (guitar) create and perform delicate and minimalist instrumental ambient moods, with a certain cinematic (noir and melancholic) framework and grading. Germany has "always" been like the home country for experimental/avant-garde/noise/electronic bands - the 'kraut-rock' tag. There's a long line going through Amon Düül, Tangerine Dream, Faust, Kraftwerk, Neu!, Can, Einstürzende Neubauten to name some from the late 60s to near present. Some of Sankt Otten's contemporaries are Ms. John Soda, Bohren und der Club of Gore, Lali Puna, Jumpel, The Notwist, Tarwater and To Rococo Rot, and even though the 'kraut-rock' label might not be used maybe 'kraut-pop' or 'kraut-something'. Maybe Krautronica?

Wunden Gibt Es Immer Wieder is an amazingly graceful piece of work. The title track and single "Wunden Gibt Es Immer Wieder" is a top ace, along with "Der Groove Des Guten Gewissens" and "Analoge Bohème" to name a few. The closing "Stille Wasser" is as beautiful, peaceful and soothing as quiet waters can be.

Copyright © 2008 Håvard Oppøyen