Stakkato – Gefärhrliche Liebschaft (Digital/CD Album – Elektro Shock Records)
Stakkato is a solo project by Thoralf Dietrich, best known for his work with Jäger 90, a project from which we have not heard much in years. He has also been involved in several other projects over time. Interestingly, I came across a CDR released in 2008 that featured the exact same tracklist and album title as this release.
The album presents nine tracks rooted firmly in the tradition of old-school EBM, a characteristic it shares with Jäger 90. The strength of this work does not lie in sheer aggression or brute force, but rather in a more controlled approach to EBM, driven by repetitive and, above all, sonically distinctive sequences. These sequences create a unique musical DNA that is instantly recognizable throughout the album. At the same time, however, their constant presence can eventually become somewhat predictable and, perhaps for some listeners, slightly repetitive. Nevertheless, this remains an intriguing production. One of its most appealing aspects is the strong influence of early DAF, which seems to serve as a guiding thread throughout the album. Here and there, a slightly heavier track emerges, and it is precisely these moments that appeal to me the most.
Stakkato is an interesting project, and one that I hope we will hear more from in the future. (Rating:7½).
Listen to “Lustlose Kunst”:
About Stakkato
Stakkato is a solo project of German musician Thoralf Dietrich, who is best known as the founder, vocalist, and creative lead of the EBM band Jäger 90, formed in Rostock in 2005. Jäger 90 has drawn much of its sound from early DAF, releasing “Harte Zeiten” (2005), “Total Debil” (2006), “Muskeln & Küsse” (2007, Electric Tremor Dessau), “Drischne Skasal” (2009, Electric Tremor Dessau), the album “Fleisch macht böse” (2011, Out of Line), and the EP “Wir bitten zum Tanz” (2013). Dietrich has also recorded under other projects and aliases, including Bomb Likör!, Franz Riss, Hioctan, Microwelt, and Slides. As Stakkato, he first issued “Gefährliche Liebschaft” as a self-released CDR in 2008, and Elektro Shock Records brought the same title back as a CD and digital album in 2025.
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