10 Albums Recorded In Bizarre Locations

With a name which translates into English as 'Collapsing New Buildings,' German group Einsturzende Neubaten wears its heart on its sleeve.

Formed in West Berlin, in 1980, the band have long been a highly influential force in the industrial/noise-rock scene. Employing custom-built instruments, often constructed from scrap metal, Blixa Bargeid (vocals, guitars, keys), N. U. Unruh (vocals, percussion), Alexander Hacke (bass), Jochen Arbeit (guitar) and Rudolf Moser (percussion, various) have varied their sound somewhat, over the course of many decades, but here we are concentrating on the group's 1980 debut, Stahlmusik.

Initially released on cassette, Stahlmusik (steel music) was recorded live to tape on location inside a pillar of the Stadtautobahn Bridge, underneath an autobahn in West Berlin.

According to notes: “The space was 1.5 metres high, 5 metres in width and 50 metres in length and made out of steel. Pocket torches were used to light the place and a Telefunken Bajazzo transistor radio was used as amplifier. The session was taped with an ordinary cassette recorder.”

In terms of commitment to a vision, Stahlmusik must come top of the list.