ZEITKRATZER

Performs Songs From The Albums Kraftwerk 2 And Kraftwerk ZEITKRATZER PRODUCTIONS

7/10

Kraftwerk’s lost albums revived in radical fashion

The German classical ensemble Zeitkratzer have earned a reputation as skilled interpreters of some of contemporary music’s most intimidating works, from Stockhausen and Cage to Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music. Their latest audacious rework tackles Kraftwerk’s first two albums, before they packed up violin and flute and embraced a purer electronic style. “Stratovarius” in particular feels tailormade for a Zeitkratzer overhaul, from its squalling, dissonant beginnings to propulsive motorik passages that they pack with shrill violins and gusty brass. Also of note is the closing “Wellenlänge”, which becomes an eerie Spaghetti Western score, brittle with foreboding.