DJ Hell - Teufelswerk

Teufelswerk - the German for 'Devil's Work' - is Hell's masterpiece and a towering double album follow up to 2004's NY Muscle and his breakthrough 1998 opus Munich Machine. Across 16 exquisite tracks divided into two themes, 'Night' and 'Day', Hell weaves an intoxicating spell. 'Night' sees Hell in more familiar nocturnal surroundings as Detroit and Chicago grooves battle the ghosts of Kraftwerk, Neu! and DAF with notable vocal contributions from Bryan Ferry and P. Diddy. On the 'Day' half we find celestial vocals cascading around acoustic guitar figures as a motorik rhythm propels it ever skywards, sharing space, spiritually at least, with Pink Floyd, Hawkwind and Can.

'The album is very personal,' says Hell. 'All my knowledge is there. I went back really far to the early 70s. I don't think I can make a better record.' Coming from Hell, whose life mirrors his art, that's saying something. A cultural figurehead with an encyclopaedic musical knowledge and a bold sense of style, Hell has carved a reputation as the Warhol - or should that be War-hell? - of our generation.

For Hell, then, Teufelswerk rounds up his life's work so far - and he has already led a remarkable life. It is dramatic, beautiful, dark and soulful, a milestone in German electronic music. 'Teufelswerk represents the music in the best way: it's the work of the devil,' he says, 'and it's the work of me, the work of Hell.'

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