Trial | Für Zwei | [EAR014] - Electro Aggression Records

Trial ‘Für Zwei’ front cover art

In 1991, a young electro duo consisting of Torsten Schröder (vocals, drums) and Erick Miotke (keyboards) burst onto the burgeoning EBM scene and drew immediate attention from the press. After a self-released tape titled “Conflict,” TRIAL got signed to the highly regarded German electro label Hypnobeat. In Summer 1992, the band’s lead single “Blut Und Eisen” took the EBM scene by storm and catapulted them to instant stardom! The maxi was followed a few months later by the highly-acclaimed debut album “Zero Feeling.”

Managed by the famous booking agent Kai Lotze, TRIAL put on great shows and shared the stage with the likes of Project Pitchfork on numerous occasions. Erick’s electronic wizardry and Torsten’s electrifying stage presence and charisma resonated greatly with the audience and they quickly became crowd favourites throughout Germany. In 1994, the duo released their sophomore album “Secret Pain” on Electric Blue/Ausfahrt Records. “Secret Pain” picked up where “Zero Feeling” left off and quenched TRIAL fans’ thirst for new tunes.

Soon afterwards, the duo chose different career paths and gradually drifted apart. Erick studied Arts and English, while Torsten decided to become a barber. They briefly reunited in 1997 to record “No Fate” EP featuring 9 mixes of the title track, but it was deemed “not commercial enough” by Ausfahrt Records and TRIAL were subsequently dropped from the label’s roster. Despite the setbacks, the duo remained confident in their abilities. They teamed up again at WGT 2001 and delivered an unforgettable performance. The memorable gig proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that TRIAL were still a force to be reckoned with.

In late 2008, TRIAL finally released their third album “No Fate” on their own label Maxsoniq Recordings. The double disc featured a bunch of new songs as well as new takes on the duo’s classics. Sadly enough, “No Fate” did not get the attention it deserves and TRIAL were disheartened by the lack of media coverage. In April 2011, Torsten decided it was time to leave the band and focus on his career. Shortly thereafter, TRIAL offered an exclusive track “Brothers in Arms-Old School Mission” to Electro Aggression Records’ star-studded compilation “Old School Electrology” 4-CD box (2011). It was a fitting end to the duo’s 20-year collaboration.

In August 2021, Electro Aggression Records (EAR) proudly unleashed the long-awaited TRIAL “Für Zwei” 3CD+DVD. The meticulously assembled collector’s set includes a 16-panel booklet showcasing vintage photo archives along with the band’s biography, a best of album, a live CD that captures the very essence of the duo’s energy, an exclusive album featuring loads of unreleased and newly produced material by Erick, and a DVD that shows TRIAL at their performance peak. In short, “Für Zwei” 3CD+DVD (limited to 500 units only) will unquestionably cement the duo’s Dark Electro/EBM legacy. Grab your copy while you can!

Order your copy today at Bandcamp