List of Recoil sample sources by album/SubHuman

Glossary Terms used in this article

In audio production, sampling refers to the use of a portion (or sample) from a sound within another recording. During Alan Wilder's tenure with the group, Depeche Mode were among the most prolific acts to make use of sampling technology within a traditional pop music format. Following his departure from Depeche Mode in 1995, Wilder would continue to employ sampling as a means to enhance the atmosphere of his music through the Recoil project, including passages of contemporary music, film soundtracks, sample library audio, and samples from his past work with Depeche Mode. The analysis of these sample sources and how they are manipulated is a popular topic of discussion amongst fans of both groups.

Key
Official	The sample is confirmed to have been used in the specified song by a past/present member of Depeche Mode, an individual involved in its production, or band archivist Daniel "BRAT" Barassi.
Confirmed	The sample is independently confirmed to have been used in the specified song.
Likely	The sample is likely to have been used in the specified song but has not yet been confirmed.
Unconfirmed	The sample is not yet confirmed to have been used in the specified song.
Disproven	The sample is confirmed to not have been used in the specified song.
Unknown	It is unclear if the sample was used in the specified song.

Information

This page aims to document all verifiable sound sources utilised by Alan Wilder in the production of the 2007 Recoil album SubHuman.

Due to the manipulated nature of the samples described in this article, there is unavoidable potential for error or sample misattribution. To ensure accuracy, this article strives to use verified quotes from band members and recording personnel with citations wherever possible, audio examples, and independent research voluntarily contributed by Depeche Mode and Recoil fans across the world. This article serves to provide an interesting document on this topic in a tabular format that is organized, well-researched, and reasonably accurate. Please bear in mind that due to the limited number of relevant quotes for each sample from band members or associates involved in the production of the music described on this page, audio samples that lack official confirmation are not guaranteed to be accurate.

This article differentiates samples by their origin: Self-made samples, which describes any material originally recorded by Depeche Mode or Alan Wilder for the Recoil music project, and Sourced samples, which describe samples which were not originally recorded by either group. In addition to confirmed samples, this article also covers samples that are commonly misreported as having been used but have been directly refuted by a member or associate of Depeche Mode or Recoil.

As ever, if you notice an error, wish to contribute or request the removal of information contained within this article, please feel free to contact us.

SubHuman (2007)

1. "Prey"

"Prey" Recoil 2007
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Drum elements	Elbow - Asleep in the Back - "Scattered Black and Whites" - 2001	Confirmed	"Prey" employs a manipulated drum sample derived from Elbow's 2001 "Scattered Black and Whites".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Vocal elements	King Solomon Hill - Whoopee Blues / Down On My Bended Knee - "Whoopee Blues" - 1932	Confirmed	"Prey" employs a series of manipulated vocal samples derived from a 1932 recording of "Whoopee Blues" by King Solomon Hill. Lyrics included in the sampled audio include: "I'm gonna take my razor and cut your late hours," "[...] you made me love you," "[...] you wouldn't think I'd be servin' you right," "Undertaker been here and gone," "I gave him your height and size," "[I said] undertaker been here and gone."	Click to display/hide audio example
	Guitar, drums, bass elements	Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Experimental Remixes - "Greyhound Part 2" - 1995	Confirmed	"Prey" employs a manipulated sample of audio derived from "Greyhound Part 2", a 1995 remix of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's "Greyhound" by Wu-Tang Clan rapper GZA.	Click to display/hide audio example

2. "Allelujah"

"Allelujah" Recoil 2007	Self-made samples
	Sample	Notes			Audio
	Double-tracked "splang" guitar chords	The double-tracked guitar chords originally recorded for use during the chorus sections of "In Your Room" are re-purposed for use throughout "Allelujah". Wilder describes the composition of this sound in a Q&A on Shunt, the official Recoil website: "Affectionately known (to me anyway) as 'Splang' rather than 'twoo, twaa and twee', the sound is derived from a guitar. Each chord was sampled individually and then double-tracked with a second but different guitar sound."			✖
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Synth arpeggio and pad	Tangerine Dream - "Rubycon, Part One" - 1975	Confirmed	"Allelujah" employs a manipulated sample of a synth arpeggio derived from Tangerine Dream's "Rubycon, Part One".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Drum elements	Elbow - Cast of Thousands - "Fugitive Motel" - 18 August 2003	Confirmed	A manipulated drum loop derived from "Fugitive Motel" by Elbow is utilised throughout "Allelujah".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Piano, orchestral elements	Air - The Virgin Suicides - "Highschool Lover" - 23 February 2000	Confirmed	A manipulated sample derived from "Highschool Lover" by Air as featured on the soundtrack of the 1999 film The Virgin Suicides is utilised sporadically in the opening moments of "Allelujah".	Click to display/hide audio example

3. "5000 Years"

5000 Years Recoil 2007
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Preaching, vocal elements	Anthony Thomas - Thy Kingdom Come... Thy Will Be Done (1988 TV Movie) - 6 April 1988 (television release)	Confirmed	An audio excerpt derived from filmmaker Anthony Thomas's 1988 TV movie Thy Kingdom Come... Thy Will Be Done featuring sermons delivered by American televangelists Jim Bakker, W.A. Criswell, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, James Robison, Jimmy Swaggart, and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar, originally procured for use in the "Pump Mix" and live performances of Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus", is utilised in the outro section of "5000 Years". The phrase sampled for use in the outro of "5000 Years" states: "Let me tell you something else about the character of God. If necessary, God would raise up a tyrant. A man who might not have the best ethics to protect the freedom interests of the ethical and the godly." Violator engineer Pino Pischetola describes the origin of these samples in Kevin May and David McElroy's 2022 book Halo: The Story Behind Depeche Mode's Classic Album Violator: During another mix of "Personal Jesus", I remember François listened to it many times and then he had this idea to put American-style preachers as a sample. That’s what became [the] "The Lord Jesus Christ himself" sample. In order to get that, François called a friend in Los Angeles that had a recording of everything you might want. So he calls him late at night and says, "Listen, I need something very quick. Something with preachers speaking." And his friend says, "Okay. I will FedEx it to you in a couple of hours." So two days later, using what must have used the fastest courier in the world [...] we got a cassette from LA with all the preachers on it. We spent two hours listening to all the preachers and different phrases, and then François picked up on that one and a few others to put into a sampler and fly in the song at a certain moment. That was really a fun thing to do.	✖
	Arabic singing with orchestral instrumentation	Eric Martinez, Pascal Morel - Earth: Travels & Documentaries - "Mirage" - 1995	Confirmed	A reversed section of audio featuring Arabic vocal stylings and orchestral instrumentation derived from "Mirage", a piece of production music featured on the 1995 Universal Production Music CD Earth: Travels & Documentaries, is utilised in the outro of "5000 Years (A Romanian Elegy For Strings)".	✖
	Military marching, chanting	Jac Holzman - Authentic Sound Effects Volume 7 - "Precision Drill Team Sounds Off" - 1964	Confirmed	A sample of military marching and chanting utilised mid-way through "5000 Years" is derived from "Precision Drill Team Sounds Off", a military field recording by Jac Holzman originally featured on the 1964 sound effects LP Authentic Sound Effects Volume 7.	✖
	Military marching, chanting	Jac Holzman - Authentic Sound Effects Volume 7 - "Manual Of Arms" - 1964	Confirmed	A sample of standard military manual of arms parade drill utilised in the outro of "5000 Years" is derived from "Manual Of Arms", a military field recording by Jac Holzman originally featured on the 1964 sound effects LP Authentic Sound Effects Volume 7.	✖

4. "The Killing Ground"

"The Killing Ground" Recoil 2007
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Orchestral strings, ambient elements	Scott Walker - Pola X - "Closing" - 17 May 1999	Confirmed	A reversed sample of audio derived from "Closing" by Scott Walker as featured on the soundtrack of the 1999 drama Pola X is utilised in the intro of "The Killing Ground".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Choral elements	John Tavener, David Hill, Winchester Cathedral Choir, Solveig Kringlebotn - Thunder Entered Her - "The Lament Of The Mother Of God" - 1994 (recorded at the Winchester Cathedral in January 1994)	Confirmed	A reversed, manipulated sample of audio derived from a January 1994 performance of English composer John Tavener's "The Lament Of The Mother Of God" by the Winchester Cathedral Choir with Norweigan operatic soprano Solveig Kringlebotn as conducted by David Hill, MBE is utilised in the intro of "The Killing Ground".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Brass elements	George Gershwin, Wayne Marshall, Aalborg Symphony Orchestra - Second Rhapsody / Piano Concerto In F / Porgy And Bess: Symphonic Suite - "Porgy and Bess, a Symphonic Picture" - 1995	Confirmed	A manipulated sample of audio derived from a 1995 performance of a symphonic suite featuring musical selections from George Gershwin's 1935 opera Porgy and Bess by the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Wayne Marshall OBE is utilised in the intro of "The Killing Ground".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Brass elements	George Gershwin, Wayne Marshall, Aalborg Symphony Orchestra - Second Rhapsody / Piano Concerto In F / Porgy And Bess: Symphonic Suite - II. Adagio - Andante con moto - 1995	Confirmed	A manipulated sample of audio derived from a 1995 performance of Adagio - Andante con moto, the second of three movements comprising George Gershwin's 1925 composition Concerto in F by the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Wayne Marshall OBE is utilised in the intro of "The Killing Ground".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Clarinet melody	Juan Tizol, Joe Lippman, Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra - "Caravan" - 1937	Confirmed	A descending clarinet harmony derived from Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra's 1937 recording of "Caravan" is utilised in the intro of "The Killing Ground".	✖
	Drum elements	Mos Def - The New Danger - "Sex, Love & Money" - 28 September 2004	Confirmed	"The Killing Ground" employs a manipulated drum sample derived from Mos Def's 2004 single "Sex, Love & Money".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Drum, synthesizer elements	The Golden Palominos - Dead Inside - "Belfast" - 8 October 1996	Confirmed	"The Killing Ground" employs a manipulated sample of audio featuring drum and synthesizer elements derived from "Belfast" by The Golden Palominos. Notably, several artists to have worked with The Golden Palominos are Recoil collaborator Nicole Blackman and Depeche Mode associate Knox Chandler.	Click to display/hide audio example
	Drum elements	Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden - "The Rainbow" - 1988	Confirmed	"The Killing Ground" employs a manipulated drum sample derived from Talk Talk's "The Rainbow".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Guitar elements	Earl Hooker - The Genius Of Earl Hooker - "End Of The Blues" - 1967	Confirmed	A sample of audio derived from the opening moments of "End Of The Blues" by Earl Hooker is utilised sporadically throughout "The Killing Ground". Notably, a separate sample derived from "End Of The Blues" was previously utilised throughout Recoil's "Strange Hours".	✖

5. "Intruders"

"Intruders" Recoil 2007
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Electric piano, atmospheric elements	Liars - They Were Wrong, So We Drowned - "Flow My Tears, the Spider Said" - 24 February 2004	Confirmed	A sample of audio featuring electric piano and bird chirping ambience derived from "Flow My Tears, the Spider Said" by Mute Records artist Liars is utilised throughout "Intruders".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Drums, bass guitar, piano elements	Jimpster - Messages from the Hub - "Messages from the Hub" - 1999	Confirmed	A sample of audio derived from "Messages from the Hub" by British house producer Jimpster is utilised throughout "Intruders".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Bass, drums, guitar elements	Fonn - Field831 - "Wash" - 30 August 1999	Confirmed	A sample of audio derived from "Wash" by Fonn is utilised mid-way through "Intruders".	Click to display/hide audio example

6. "99 To Life"

"99 To Life" Recoil 2007
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Drums, vocal, guitar elements	Caspar Brötzmann - Home - "The Tribe" - January 1995	Confirmed	A manipulated sample of audio derived from "The Tribe" by German musician Caspar Brötzmann is utilised throughout "99 To Life".	✖

7. "Backslider"

"Backslider" Recoil 2007
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Harmonica, tambura elements	Canned Heat - Boogie with Canned Heat - "On the Road Again" - 22 January 1968	Confirmed	A manipulated sample of audio featuring harmonica and tambura elements derived from the left stereo channel of "On the Road Again" by Canned Heat is utilised throughout "Backslider".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Bass, drums, guitar elements	Whale - We Care - "Electricity" - 3 July 1995	Confirmed	A manipulated sample of audio derived from "Electricity" by Swedish rock group Whale are utilised mid-way through "Backslider".	Click to display/hide audio example

Ambient versions

1. "Prey (Ambient Version)"

"Prey (Ambient Version)" Recoil 2007
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Drum elements	Elbow - Asleep in the Back - "Scattered Black and Whites" - 2001	Confirmed	"Prey (Ambient Version)" employs a manipulated drum sample derived from Elbow's 2001 "Scattered Black and Whites".	✖
	Vocal elements	King Solomon Hill - Whoopee Blues / Down On My Bended Knee - "Whoopee Blues" - 1932	Confirmed	"Prey (Ambient Version)" employs a series of manipulated vocal samples derived from a 1932 recording of "Whoopee Blues" by King Solomon Hill. Lyrics included in the sampled audio include: "I'm gonna take my razor and cut your late hours," "[...] you made me love you," "[...] you wouldn't think I'd be servin' you right," "Undertaker been here and gone," "I gave him your height and size," "[I said] undertaker been here and gone."	✖
	Guitar, drums, bass elements	Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Experimental Remixes - "Greyhound Part 2" - 1995	Confirmed	"Prey (Ambient Version)" employs a manipulated sample of audio derived from "Greyhound Part 2", a 1995 remix of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's "Greyhound" by Wu-Tang Clan rapper GZA.	✖

2. "Allelujah (Ambient Version)"

"Allelujah (Ambient Version)" Recoil 2007	Self-made samples
	Sample	Notes			Audio
	Double-tracked "splang" guitar chords	The double-tracked guitar chords originally recorded for use during the chorus sections of "In Your Room" are re-purposed for use throughout "Allelujah". Wilder describes the composition of this sound in a Q&A on Shunt, the official Recoil website: "Affectionately known (to me anyway) as 'Splang' rather than 'twoo, twaa and twee', the sound is derived from a guitar. Each chord was sampled individually and then double-tracked with a second but different guitar sound."			✖
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Synth arpeggio and pad	Tangerine Dream - "Rubycon, Part One" - 1975	Confirmed	"Allelujah (Ambient Version)" employs a manipulated sample of a synth arpeggio derived from Tangerine Dream's "Rubycon, Part One".	✖
	Drum elements	Elbow - Cast of Thousands - "Fugitive Motel" - 18 August 2003	Confirmed	A manipulated drum loop derived from "Fugitive Motel" by Elbow is utilised throughout "Allelujah (Ambient Version)".	✖
	Piano, orchestral elements	Air - The Virgin Suicides - "Highschool Lover" - 23 February 2000	Confirmed	A manipulated sample derived from "Highschool Lover" by Air as featured on the soundtrack of the 1999 film The Virgin Suicides is utilised sporadically in the opening moments of "Allelujah (Ambient Version)".	✖

3. "5000 Years (Ambient Version)"

"5000 Years (Ambient Version)" Recoil 2007
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Arabic singing with orchestral instrumentation	Eric Martinez, Pascal Morel - Earth: Travels & Documentaries - "Mirage" - 1995	Confirmed	A reversed section of audio featuring Arabic vocal stylings and orchestral instrumentation derived from "Mirage", a piece of production music featured on the 1995 Universal Production Music CD Earth: Travels & Documentaries, is utilised in the outro of "5000 Years (Ambient Version)".	✖
	Military marching, chanting	Jac Holzman - Authentic Sound Effects Volume 7 - "Precision Drill Team Sounds Off" - 1964	Confirmed	A sample of military marching and chanting utilised mid-way through "5000 Years (Ambient Version)" is derived from "Precision Drill Team Sounds Off", a military field recording by Jac Holzman originally featured on the 1964 sound effect LP Authentic Sound Effects Volume 7.	✖
	Military marching, chanting	Jac Holzman - Authentic Sound Effects Volume 7 - "Manual Of Arms" - 1964	Confirmed	A sample of standard military manual of arms parade drill utilised in the outro of "5000 Years (Ambient Version)" is derived from "Manual Of Arms", a military field recording by Jac Holzman originally featured on the 1964 sound effect LP Authentic Sound Effects Volume 7.	✖

4. "The Killing Ground (Ambient Version)"

"The Killing Ground (Ambient Version)" Recoil 2007
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Drum elements	Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden - "The Rainbow" - 1988	Confirmed	"The Killing Ground (Ambient Version)" employs a manipulated drum sample derived from Talk Talk's "The Rainbow".	✖
	Clarinet melody	Juan Tizol, Joe Lippman, Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra - "Caravan" - 1937	Confirmed	A descending clarinet harmony derived from Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra's 1937 recording of "Caravan" is utilised in the intro of "The Killing Ground (Ambient Version)".	✖
	Drum elements	Mos Def - The New Danger - "Sex, Love & Money" - 28 September 2004	Confirmed	"The Killing Ground (Ambient Version)" employs a manipulated drum sample derived from Mos Def's 2004 single "Sex, Love & Money".	✖
	Drum, synthesizer elements	The Golden Palominos - Dead Inside - "Belfast" - 8 October 1996	Confirmed	"The Killing Ground (Ambient Version)" employs a manipulated sample of audio featuring drum and synthesizer elements derived from "Belfast" by The Golden Palominos. Notably, several artists to have worked with The Golden Palominos are Recoil collaborator Nicole Blackman and Depeche Mode associate Knox Chandler.	✖

5. "Intruders (Ambient Version)"

"Intruders (Ambient Version)" Recoil 2007
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Electric piano, atmospheric elements	Liars - They Were Wrong, So We Drowned - "Flow My Tears, the Spider Said" - 24 February 2004	Confirmed	A sample of audio featuring electric piano and bird chirping ambience derived from "Flow My Tears, the Spider Said" by Mute Records artist Liars is utilised throughout "Intruders (Ambient Version)".	✖
	Drums, bass guitar, piano elements	Jimpster - Messages from the Hub - "Messages from the Hub" - 1999	Confirmed	A sample of audio derived from "Messages from the Hub" by British house producer Jimpster is utilised throughout "Intruders (Ambient Version)".	✖
	Bass, drums, guitar elements	Fonn - Field831 - "Wash" - 30 August 1999	Confirmed	A sample of audio derived from "Wash" by Fonn is utilised mid-way through "Intruders (Ambient Version)".	✖

6. "99 To Life (Ambient Version)"

"99 To Life (Ambient Version)" Recoil 2007
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Atmospheric elements	The Digital Intervention - Capture - "La Louve" - 7 October 2003	Confirmed	A manipulated sample of audio derived from "La Louve" by The Digital Intervention, a music project of Recoil associate Paul Kendall, is utilised throughout the "Ambient" version of "99 To Life".	✖

7. "Backslider (Ambient Version)"

"Backslider (Ambient Version)" Recoil 2007
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Harmonica, tambura elements	Canned Heat - Boogie with Canned Heat - "On the Road Again" - 22 January 1968	Confirmed	A manipulated sample of audio featuring harmonica and tambura elements derived from the left stereo channel of "On the Road Again" by Canned Heat is utilised throughout "Backslider (Ambient Version)".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Bass, drums, guitar elements	Whale - We Care - "Electricity" - 3 July 1995	Confirmed	A manipulated sample of audio derived from "Electricity" by Swedish rock group Whale are utilised mid-way through "Backslider (Ambient Version)".	Click to display/hide audio example

B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes

"5000 Years (A Romanian Elegy For Strings)"

5000 Years (A Romanian Elegy For Strings) - Recoil 2010
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes
	Arabic singing with orchestral instrumentation	Eric Martinez, Pascal Morel - Earth: Travels & Documentaries - "Mirage" - 1995	Confirmed	A reversed section of audio featuring Arabic vocal stylings and orchestral instrumentation derived from "Mirage", a piece of production music featured on the 1995 Universal Production Music CD Earth: Travels & Documentaries, is utilised in the outro of "5000 Years (A Romanian Elegy For Strings)".