Ostkreutz

Ostkreutz employs an "audiovisual terror" style of electro-rock that is a multimedia assault on the senses. The Berlin-based act, named after one of the city's primary S-Bahn (i.e., suburban metro railway) lines, was begun in 2004 by the masked one who calls himself Maximum. By and large, the music of Ostkreutz is the creation of Maximum, who is the band's guitarist, engineer, songwriter, and conceptualist. While Maximum is the musical mastermind behind Ostkreutz, the visual mastermind is one who calls himself Medium. There is also Optimum, who is a drummer. The monikers chosen by these three bandmembers are in line with the overall aim of Ostkreutz, which is to inspire curiosity through various mediums. Besides the electro-rock music of Ostkreutz, for instance, the bandmembers fashion themselves with storm trooper-style masks and nondescript work suits; perform multimedia-driven concerts in this attire; create striking videos for television and the Internet; host a puzzling network of websites; and embrace propaganda. The band's vocals are sparse and stark, mixing German with English. Ostkreutz released a maxi-CD, Gangbang, on Warner in April 2006 in anticipation of their full-length debut, Motor, which was released in September. ~ Jason Birchmeier