I recently picked this one up on a whim, digging through cheap new wave/post-punk bins in NYC. Once in a while, something just jumps out. This is the second release by Prince of the Blood, released in 1986 On What’s So Funny About.., which boasts German pressings from Einsturzende Neubauten, Executive Slacks, 39 Clocks, Trash Groove Girls, Die Haut, Tommi Stumpff, and more. The band was a German four piece featuring two key members of Poison Dwarfs. Vocalist Ralf-Dieter Dlubatz sings here as well, a detached, cold monotone that suits the music perfectly. As for the sound, we have dry, EBM flavored drum machines pitted against synths and guitars here, for a sound that reminds me quite a bit of Bill Pritchard as well as the late, great Frank Tovey. I love this whole LP from front to back but I’m especially wild about “House of Cards” which really hits a sweet spot between post-punk, coldwave, and heavy-handed synthpop with female backing vocals…
As I mentioned above, this is the second of three releases from this band- if anyone has either the first 12” or second LP, I’d love to hear them!
Prince of the Blood- Contact High
1. Risin’
2. House of Cards
3. Golden Age
4. O.D.
5. Dead Barracks
6. Don’t Stay
7. Single Combat
8. Sunday Morning
9. The Station