Shaping the world of electronic music – for more than 35 years

1988 – 1996 | Influential and visionary

The electronic music project X MARKS THE PEDWALK was founded in 1988 by Sevren Ni-Arb, originally under the name SCARECROW, before being renamed and signed to the legendary label Zoth Ommog. X MARKS THE PEDWALK – the band’s name derives from a story by the American Fritz Leiber – is well known to electronic music fans all over the world. They became one of the most influential and visionary bands from the so called EBM scene in the 90s. „Abattoir“ is one of the biggest electro-industrial hits of the era and still fills dance floors around the world today. Their internationally acclaimed albums „Freaks“ (1992) and „Human Desolation“ (1993) shaped an era of underground electronic music, and with their unique sound, X MARKS THE PEDWALK inspired numerous bands and artists.

The controversial discussed single „Facer“ and the follow-up album „Meshwork“ shook up the scene and its fans in 1994. Their dark, industrial and EBM-influenced sound incorporated techno and rave elements, laying the foundation for a subgenre of electronic music that would later be called „Future Pop“. In 1996 X MARKS THE PEDWALK quit music production and retired from music business after their hitherto last album “Drawback”, ending the „Zoth Ommog“ era.

2010 – 2016 | The Return

In 2010, X MARKS THE PEDWALK celebrated a successful comeback with their albums „Inner Zone Journey“ (2010), „The Sun, The Cold and My Underwater Fear“ (2012), and „The House of Rain“ (2015), which were released on the renowned label Infacted Recordings. The band won hearts of electronic music fans with their mesmerizing sound and once again received widespread acclaim around the world. The Swedish magazine summarized: “…highly original and forward-thinking, innovative, beautiful, dreamy and very hard to beat.“ Peter Marks of Santa Sangre writes: “…the last two records they have made are beyond anything which could have been expected. Challenge yourself, X Marks The Pedwalk certainly have. More sleek electronic anthems for the grown-ups and thank god for that.“ Songs like „Seventeen,“ „The Day I start to Die,“ „The Side of The Wrong,“ „Drowned Words,“ „Second Home,“ „Far From Eden,“ and „Amplified Dichotomy“ represent the unique and complex sound of the German band from this era.

2017 – today | Electrifying Synth and Electro-Pop

Starting in March 2017, mastermind Sevren Ni-Arb and vocal artist Estefanía released the highly acclaimed albums „Secrets“ (2017) and „Transformation“ (2020) on meshwork music, steadily sculpting their sound toward more melodic synth and electro-pop. Electronic beats, analog synthesizers, dark pop melodies, and an unmistakable retro touch have characterized their sound ever since. Album number 11 – „New / End“ – was released in 2022. „X Marks The Pedwalk remains a warrant for creative and exciting Electro-Pop music“ writes Side-Line Reviews. On their 12th album in their long-running career, „Superstition“ (2023), Sevren Ni-Arb and Estefanía once again touched our souls. Electronic Sound UK Magazine summarizes: „…the pair have got the knack for writing a memorable tune down to fine art​.“

In June 2025, X MARKS THE PEDWALK unveiled „Light Your Mind“ – the first single from their upcoming album „Insomnia,“ out on November 27. The result is another electrifying synthpop experience that moves, stirs, and resonates.

band photo credits
photographer: Milton Decamotan / make up artist: Kim Kemper / copyright: meshwork music