The Crate
Siekiera
Nowa Aleksandria
Nowa Aleksandria (New Alexandria) is Siekiera’s sole studio album, released in 1986 on Tonpress. It marks a decisive move from their early punk towards cold wave/darkwave, and has since developed into a cult landmark within Poland’s post-punk and new wave scene. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowa_Aleksandria))
2. Recording History
- Recording studio/location: Tonpress KAW Studio in Warsaw, Poland, where the album was recorded in December 1985. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowa_Aleksandria))
- Personnel and engineering: Włodzimierz Kowalczyk is listed as the recording engineer with Tadeusz Czechak as assistant engineer; sleeve artwork by Alek Januszewski. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowa_Aleksandria))
- Production notes: Some sources attribute production to Kowalczyk and Czechak (in addition to their engineering roles). ([whosampled.com](https://www.whosampled.com/Siekiera/Nowa-Aleksandria/?utm_source=openai))
- Musicians and instrumentation: Tomasz Adamski (vocals, guitar), Dariusz Malinowski (vocals, bass), Paweł Młynarczyk (keyboards), Zbigniew Musiński (drums). The album’s sound is characterized by sparse, atmospheric arrangements that foreground keyboards and guitar. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowa_Aleksandria))
- Recording dates and scope: Recorded in December 1985; released the following year, 1986. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowa_Aleksandria))
- Notable context: The LP represents Siekiera’s shift away from pure punk rock toward cold wave and darkwave textures. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowa_Aleksandria))
- Length and format: The CD edition runs about 53:18; the initial LP featured ten tracks, with CD reissues adding bonus material. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowa_Aleksandria))
3. Chart Performance & Recognition
- Commercial charts: No widely documented chart positions for Nowa Aleksandria exist in major markets. The album’s reputation rests on its enduring critical and cult status rather than chart success. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowa_Aleksandria))
- Critical reception and legacy: It is now regarded as a cornerstone of Polish cold wave, cited as a landmark in the country’s rock history, and described as a standout shift in Siekiera’s career. Drivealone even performed a full-cancel cover of the album in 2017. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siekiera))
- Influences and recognition: The record is noted for its Killing Joke–tinged atmosphere and has influenced subsequent Polish post-punk bands. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siekiera))
4. Cultural Impact & Legacy
- Influence on other artists: Nowa Aleksandria is widely recognized for its influence on Poland’s cold wave and post-punk scenes; Killing Joke’s influence is frequently noted as a stylistic touchstone. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siekiera))
- Notable covers/samples: Behemoth released a cover of Siekiera’s “Ludzie Wschodu” on the Australian edition of The Satanist (2014), and the track remains a touchstone in Behemoth’s live/bonus material. The Behemoth recordings and reception are well documented in accompanying discographies. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blow_Your_Trumpets_Gabriel?utm_source=openai))
- Reissues and modern availability: The album has seen renewed attention via reissues, including a 2018 Mannequin Records edition, and the Bandcamp release by Mannequin (MNQ 118) that reintroduced Nowa Aleksandria to new audiences. ([mannequinrecords.bandcamp.com](https://mannequinrecords.bandcamp.com/album/mnq-118-siekiera-nowa-aleksandria?utm_source=openai))
Notes: Nowa Aleksandria is the only studio LP Siekiera released during their initial run, and its stark atmosphere and Polish-language post-punk approach continue to resonate with fans and historians of European cold wave. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowa_Aleksandria))