Hermann Kopp (born 1954) has always had a very close relationship with cinema, it is no coincidence that his name is linked above all to the soundtracks of some cult films on the extreme circuit, such as “Nekromantik” and “Der Todesking” (both directed by Jörg Buttgereit).
His is a minimal, eerie and funereal proposal, perfected over the years thanks to other works always of an experimental nature (a couple of which were released on Galakthorrö, the label of the Haus Arafna and gods November Newlet).
Today, using a violin, a viola and a synthesizer, the Stuttgart musician tries his hand at a new soundtrack this time for the classic “Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam” by Paul Wegener, a silent film from 1920 and one of the most important titles of German expressionism (the work is inspired by the legendary figure of Jewish folklore who is the protagonist of the novel of the same name by Gustav Meyrink).
Hermann Kopp finds himself perfectly at ease among the narrow alleys of the Prague ghetto, where esotericism and magic meet the sounds of a profound restlessness post-industrial. This is demonstrated by passages such as “In Die Shtern” or “Rabbi Loew”, the latter not too far from a certain power electronics darker and more oppressive. But that's not all, since this celebration does not neglect the gothic element (“The Old Book”) or in any case the purely horror element (“Necromancy”, “The Rose Festival” or “Guard This Secret With Your Life”), underlining with greater emphasis that fantastic component on which the bewitching frames of the film revolve.
Presented last autumn at the twenty-fourth edition of the highly rated Wrocław Industrial Festival, “Der Golem” does not just represent a simple sound accompaniment, because here Hermann Kopp manages – through a series of songs that are anything but sketchy – to show many of the facets that have characterized his long career, between dark minimalism, black dissonances and pure avant-garde. Like the final notes of “End Theme”, unmistakable like every creation of this talented artist who has always been embedded in the darkest and most tortuous meanders of music.
02/19/2026
Antonio Santini for SANREMO.FM
