XPQ-21

Formed in Germany in 1998 around Jeyênne and Nicque, XPQ-21 initially blended dark electro, EBM and electro‑industrial with a melodic approach that also incorporates elements of alternative rock, breakbeat and, at times, drum and bass. The project took shape with the single 'A Gothic Novel' in 1998, followed by the albums 'Destroy to Create' (1999), 'Belle Epoque' (2000) and 'Chi' (2002), which established XPQ-21’s identity within European electro‑dark and goth networks. After Nicque’s departure in 2003, XPQ-21 continued around Jeyênne with several lineup changes — including Annelie Bertilsson, Martin Hillebrand, Moritz Zielke and Andy Haywire — before more recently stabilizing as a duo with the latter. In 2006 XPQ-21 released 'Alive', a period in which the project refined a more direct sound, both club‑ and rock‑oriented, while retaining its synthetic and industrial core. After a quieter discographic phase, XPQ-21 returned with the singles 'Machines' (2022), 'Temptation' (2023) and 'Where Minds Collide' (2024), the latter featuring Laura Friedland, on the Monsters and Heroes label.