Well it is the 21st century - how is Propaganda faring?

In the spring of 2000 we were promised a new CD, apparently already well onto being recorded. That dragged on, with no sign of the promised new recording.

In 2002 there were two interesting releases though.

First was a limited private pressing of a CD called 'M:the secret tapes of Dr Mabuse'. This was a collection of very early recordings, apparently the demo recordings used to help secure the signing to ZTT. The CD was put together and released by Andreas Thein and Ralf Dörper, the two founders of Propaganda. It included the Throbbing Gristle Cover, Diziplin that had been previously blocked by the band, and one imagines that this embargo had not been lifted at the time.

This was a limited edition CD of 1000 copies and were being sold at http://www.p-fan.de/ . Quality and appeal to the existing fan base is variable. Some of it is downright rough, one for the completist, but not necessarily without questions or with universal appeal.

'Disziplin' is a Throbbing Gristle cover so the reader is left to imagine how this would compare to the sublime nature of Frozen Faces or similar. It is certainly not one I keep that close to the 'must listen' pile..

Then in July 2002 ZTT released 'Outside World' a collection of less well known remixes of the old classics. This was released as two versions, one with an accompanying DVD! The DVD contains all the Propaganda videos available, along with two TV commercials dug out of the ZTT archives.

CD:

1. Das Testament des Dr Mabuse (13th Life Mix)
2. Lied
3. p. Machinery (Beta Mix)
4. Duel (Bitter Sweet)
5. The Lesson
6. Frozen Faces (12" Version)
7. Jewel
8. Complete Machinery *
9. Das Testament des Dr Mabuse (DJ promo version)
10. Femme Fatale (The Woman With The Orchid)
11. Echo Of Frozen Faces

* The German release has an alternative track 8 = p:Machinery (Connected with Introduction Mix).

DVD:

1. Dr Mabuse (Version 1)
2. Dr Mabuse (Version 2)
3. Duel (Version 1)
4. Duel (Version 2)
5. p. Machinery
6. Dr Mabuse (TV Commercial)
7. Duel (TV Commercial)

Still no real sign of a full new release, so we can only assume that Propaganda was not able to survive yet another change in lineup.

There are a number of rumbling rumours, the propaganda fanlists still remain active and many of the band members are still active. Claudia is still recording and http://www.amontillado-music.com/ list Propaganda as one of their artists, citing them as being 'relaxed and at ease with themselves, but in full consciousness, Propaganda discovers new horizons.'

The enigma that is Propaganda still bubbling on then.