Dieter Moebius and Conny Plank played with the singularly innovative though oft-overlooked German outfit Cluster throughout the mid-'70s. Upon that group's dissolution, they collaborated to produce a series of uncannily atmospheric albums as Moebius & Plank. Material—recorded and released in 1981—is the second and perhaps best of these efforts. Entirely instrumental, Material is a low-key yet insidiously compelling effort. Its five long tracks—permeated by primitive, oddly programmed drum machine rhythms and insectoid synth textures—evoke the dread one might feel patrolling a vast post-industrial ruin in the dead of night. Though Material is remarkably consistent, the stark, echo-drenched “Infiltration” is perhaps the album’s standout track. Its minimal bass pattern could easily grace one of John Carpenter’s icy slasher soundtracks, but odd flourishes such as Indian reed instruments and cryptic bursts of static give it an otherworldly and unique feel. Uninitiated krautrock fans are encouraged to seek out this undersung but nonetheless seminal release.