Festival Reviews Preview Wave Gotik Treffen Festival 2009 @ Leipzig, Germany
| Preview Wave Gotik Treffen Festival 2009 @ Leipzig, Germany |
In German, ‘das Treffen’ means ‘The Meeting,’ but when it comes to Wave Gotik Treffen, just calling it a meeting is somewhat of an understatement. With an annual headcount totalling around the 25,000 mark, and more than 300 bands, act and artists in 4 days, Wave Gotik Treffen is an almost religious port-of-call for Goths, Cyber-goths and Rivet-heads from all over Europe and in some cases, the World. Leipzig City, Germany The phenomenon of Wave Gotik Treffen started in 1987 in Potsdam when the laws of the German Democratic Republic did not support events of this nature and as a result, the attendance was very poor. When Germany was re-unified in 1992, the first official Wave Gotik Treffen was held in Leipzig and numbers to the festival have continued to increase, accumulating in the huge numbers through the gates up to and what it is to be this year. Wave Gotik Treffen incorporates music of various genres (more so in the genres of EBM, Electronica, Gothic Rock, Darkwave and Neoclassical) and plays in a number of venues in the town on Whitsuntide, some of which can house up to a capacity of 10,000 people.
Bands and acts not to miss... Combichrist  Dance-floor annihilator Andy LaPlegua’s project, Combichrist hits the stages of Wave Gotik Treffen on the Friday night at the end of their ‘Demons,’ Tour. Being founder of Icon of Coil gave LaPlegua (with Seb Kumor) a push to start to create the monster that is Combichrist in 2003, and upon signing to German label ‘Out of Line,’ released ‘The Joy of Gunz’ which led to its following EP ‘Kiss the Blade’ to sell out in four weeks; and this is merely just one of the success stories that have allowed Combichrist to almost spread virally through the music world.Now two albums later, and two highly successful EP releases later, Combichrist are set to destroy Wave Gotik Treffen after a long haul promoting the new album, ‘Today We Are All Demons,’ and is now complete with 3 band members whom have departed from acts such as Helltrash and Genitorturers. KMFDM  Now in their 25 year since their conception in 1984, KMFDM are no stranger to the massive crowds that grace events such as Wave Gotik Treffen. Led by the now extremely well known Captain K (Sascha Konietzko), KMFDM have racked up an impressive 18 studio releases and more EP’s, singles and studio releases than Iron Maiden and AC/DC combined and have even split to reform three years later. Self confessed pioneers of ‘Ultra-Heavy Beat,’ they are recognised to rub shoulders with the likes of Ministry and Skinny Puppy who are seen to have introduced industrial music to the mainstream.
My Dying Bride
My Dying Bride, along with bands such as Paradise Lost and Anathema as the pioneers of doom metal, and since 1990 has released 9 studio albums and there is soon to be a 10th in 2009; along with this, there has been one demo, three EP’s and several singles. My Dying Bride’s music has been described as ‘dripping with treachery and pain,’ and according to last.fm, ‘slow yet extremely heavy riffs and haunting lyrics. Relentlessly slow, thick, heavy chords allied with remarkably morose lyrics make My Dying Bride a unique proposition and certainly a challenge to the listener.’
Katra
Formally interviewed by Soundshock.net, Finnish classically-trained turn rock singer Katra is set take stage at Wave Gotik Treffen with her own unique style of classical come metal and folk; which has made certain members at Soundshock very excited. With a voice that came both came naturally, and was nurtured in equal measure and a preference to singing high and loud, Katra is in the process of recording the second (English Language) album to last years ‘Beast Within’ and if she’s as good recorded as she is on stage, she’ll know doubt take Leipzig by storm.
Unsun Polish guitar meister, and ex-Vader guitarist Mauser and his four piece Unsun are a project that have taken on the challenge of incorporating day and night, night and dark and have created a melancholic mix of haunting metal and lip quivering melodies that is almost insatiable to the modern day metal-head. Unsun’s debut album ‘The End of Life’ was heralded as one of the most promising of last year, and the strong creative dynamic between highly melodramatic vocals of Aya and Mauser’s underlying guitar riffs set them apart from every other ‘gothic metal’ band. VNV Nation For a duet whose total history now spans 19 years and a back catalogue of almost evolutionary proportions, the fact that they are a staple of alternative clubs and dance-floors everywhere is testament to how far they have come as an act, and how there is no way they are ever to fall into the shadows of the synthpop/electronic world.VNV Nation’s music ranges from electronic dance music, to ambient ballads, to miltarian-esque floor-stompers and have influences raging from contemporary underground dance music, industrial, trace and classical music. For those whom aren’t in the know, VNV stands for ‘Victory Not Vengeance,’ and there is meaning being his stylised motto: one should strive to achieve, not sit in bitter regret. Alice in Videoland Christened from a Commodore 64 game from back in the early 80’s, Alice in Videoland’s is the brain-child of disillusioned Swedish vocalist (who could not achieve her vision in the many rock bands that she had played guitar for) Toril Lindqvist, and former-bodypop band member Carl Lundgren of which they had a very strange dynamic; they didn’t want the same thing! This conflict of interest only served to fuel the creative process, and 3 full-length releases later, they have succeeded in gaining a very, loyal fanbase and highly, energetic, electro-poppy trademark sound. Die So Fluid This power trio combines heavy-hitting metal riffs, is said to incorporate post-punk eclecticism and bittersweet grunge-esque melody; and that’s before the latex-clad singer, Grog, takes to the microphone and brings it all together in an amazingly, loud flurry of sound and pure, unadulterated, no-bullshit energetic magic. First bringing its head to the surface in 2001, Die so Fluid have relentlessly toured the UK, and two full releases later (with the latest being last year’s incredible ‘Not Everybody get a Happy Ending), and only have had themselves to rely on as they have refused to sign a record contract; thus retaining full copyright and rights to all their music, and thus stripping record companies of their promotion and distribution monopolies. It’s very rare that a 3-piece can make so much noise. Specimen Made infamous by being the first band to play at the Batcave, (as it was founded by lead singer, Ollie Wisdom) which is said to soon be re-opened in London, Soho, (Their first ever gig was at a street party celebrating the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer.) Specimen never released a full album, just a number of singles and EP. They are said to be an amalgamation of glam, goth and punk, along with the cross genre deathrock; Specimen will prove to be very nostalgic as they were a staple of the British goth scene in the 1980’s.
Grendel
Grendel play a part in the long list of evolving Harsh EBM acts and artists whom are beginning to dominate various underground charts in both Europe and the rest of the world. Their latest full-length offering ‘Harsh Generation,’ delivered dancefloor stompers such as ‘Hate This’ and the track that shares the album’s name. Earlier on in their history, they covered Zombie Nation’s ‘Kernkraft 400’ but due to copyright issues, had to re-issue the single it was released on with the track removed.With various line-up changes during their fruitful 9 years, Grendel’s sound has been influential in many avenues and still serves to be an influence with many up and coming EBM acts. FULL LIST OF BANDS (more to join...)
A Spell Inside (D) http://www.myspace.com/aspellinside
Previewed by Rhys Heal Adoration (GB) http://www.myspace.com/adorationuk Agonoize (D) http://www.myspace.com/agonoize Akanoid (D) http://www.myspace.com/akanoid Alice In Videoland (S) http://www.myspace.com/aliceinvideoland Amnistia (D) http://www.myspace.com/amnistia ASP (D) http://www.thetalesofasp.com/ Atargatis (D) http://www.myspace.com/atargatisgothicmetal Autumnblaze (D) http://www.myspace.com/autumnblazeband Ava Inferi (P) http://www.myspace.com/avainferi Blitzkid (USA) http://www.blitzkid.com/ Brillig (AUS) http://www.myspace.com/brilligacoustic Burn (D) http://www.myspace.com/burnmusicdotde Bushart (GB) http://www.myspace.com/bushartmusic Calabrese (USA) Europapremiere http://www.calabreserock.com/ Cat Rapes Dog (S) http://crd.se Clan Of Xymox (NL) http://www.clanofxymox.com/ Client (GB) http://www.myspace.com/client Combichrist (N) http://www.myspace.com/combichrist Container 90 (S) http://www.myspace.com/container90 Corde Oblique (I) http://www.myspace.com/cordeobliqueunofficial Cranes (GB) http://www.myspace.com/cranes Cumulo Nimbus (D) http://www.cumulo-nimbus.de/ Der Blaue Reiter (E) http://www.myspace.com/derblauereitermusic Die Art (D) http://www.myspace.com/dieart007 Die Form (F) http://www.myspace.com/dieformofficial Die Perlen (D) http://www.dieperlen.de/ Die So Fluid (GB) http://www.myspace.com/diesofluid Dies Ater (D) http://www.myspace.com/diesater Draconian (S) http://www.myspace.com/draconianmusic Drop a Line (D) http://www.myspace.com/dropalinemusik Eden Weint Im Grab (D) http://www.myspace.com/edenweintimgrab Edenbridge (A) http://www.edenbridge.org/ Egoamp (D) http://www.myspace.com/egoamp Eisbrecher (D) http://www.eis-brecher.com/ Eisenfunk (D) http://www.myspace.com/eisenfunk Eyes Of Eden (D) http://www.myspace.com/eyesofedenband Fabrik C (D) http://www.myspace.com/fabrikc Fang On Fur (USA) http://www.myspace.com/fangsonfur Feindflug (D) http://www.feindflug.info Fetisch:Mensch (D) http://www.myspace.com/fetischmensch Feuerschwanz (D) http://www.myspace.com/feuerschwanz FGFC 820 (USA) http://www.myspace.com/fgfc820 Fliehende Stürme (D) http://www.myspace.com/fliehendestrme Frank The Baptist (USA) http://www.myspace.com/frankthebaptistmusic Frozen Plasma (CH) http://www.frozenplasma.com/ Geistform (E) http://www.myspace.com/geistform Greifenkeil (D) http://www.myspace.com/greifenkeil Grendel (NL) http://www.myspace.com/grendel Hollenthon (A) http://www.myspace.com/hollenthonofficial Icon Of Coil (N/CDN) http://www.myspace.com/officialiconofcoil iLiKETRAiNS (GB) http://www.myspace.com/iliketrains Illuminate (D) http://www.myspace.com/illuminatemusik Inkubus Sukkubus (GB) http://www.myspace.com/inkubussukkubus IWR (IL) http://www.myspace.com/iwrband Katra (FIN) http://www.myspace.com/katramusic KMFDM (USA) http://www.myspace.com/officialkmfdm Lacrimas Profundere (D) http://www.myspace.com/lacrimasprofundere Lahannya (GB) http://www.myspace.com/lahannya L'Âme Imortelle (A) http://www.myspace.com/lameimmortelle Leandra (D) http://www.myspace.com/leandrasphere Letzte Instanz (D) http://www.letzte-instanz.de/ MDM (CDN) Deutschlandpremiere http://www.myspace.com/mdmisgovernment Megaherz (D) http://www.megaherz.de Melotron (D) http://www.myspace.com/melotronmusic Minerve (D) http://www.myspace.com/minerveband Modcom (GB) http://www.myspace.com/modcom Mono Inc. (D) http://www.myspace.com/monoincmusic My Dying Bride (GB) http://www.mydyingbride.org Nachtgeschrei (D) http://www.myspace.com/nachtgeschrei Noctiferia (SLO) http://www.myspace.com/noctiferia Nosferatu (GB) http://www.myspace.com/officialnosferatu Nurzery Rhymes (D) http://www.myspace.com/nurzeryrhymes Otto Dix (RUS) http://www.myspace.com/ottodixx Painbastard (D) http://www.myspace.com/painbastard Patenbrigade:Wolff (D) http://www.myspace.com/patenbrigadewolff Psyche (CDN) http://www.myspace.com/psyche Qntal (D) http://www.qntal.de Rappacinis Tochter (D) Musical http://www.rappacini.de Risque (E) http://www.myspace.com/risquemusicbarcelona Sam (D) http://www.myspace.com/projectsam Samael (CH) http://www.samael.info Sara Noxx & Friends (D) http://www.myspace.com/saranoxx Scandy (N) http://www.myspace.com/scandy Scarlet & the Spooky Spiders (I) http://www.myspace.com/scarletandthespookyspiders Scary Bitches (GB) http://www.myspace.com/thescarybitches Schelmish (D) http://www.schelmish.de Schock (D) http://www.myspace.com/schockband Section 25 (GB) http://www.myspace.com/section25 Shadow Reichenstein (USA) http://www.myspace.com/shadowreichenstein Shnarph (D) http://www.myspace.com/redenundatmen Solitary Experimemts (D) http://www.myspace.com/solitaryexperiments Sonar (B) http://www.myspace.com/dirkivens Sonver (GB) http://www.myspace.com/sonver Specimen (GB) Wiedervereinigung in Originalbesetzung www.specimenbatcave.net State Of The Union (USA) http://www.state-of-the-union.info Steven Severin (GB) http://www.myspace.com/stevenseverinmusic Stoa (D) http://www.myspace.com/stoaporta T.A.N.K. (D) http://www.myspace.com/tankebm Telegram Frank (USA) http://www.myspace.com/telegramfrank The Eternal Afflict (D) http://www.myspace.com/theeternalafflict The March Violets (GB) - Wiedervereinigung http://www.myspace.com/officialmarchviolets The Prostitutes (CZ) http://www.myspace.com/theprostitutes Theatre Of Hate (GB) http://www.myspace.com/theatreofhate2008 Tunes Of Dawn (D) http://www.myspace.com/tunesofdawnmusic Turnbull AC`s (S) http://www.myspace.com/ebmturnbull TYR (FO) http://www.tyr.net/ Tyske Ludder (D) http://www.myspace.com/tyskeludder Undead (USA) http://www.myspace.com/54441044 Unsun (FIN) http://www.myspace.com/unsunmusic Unternehmen Stahlklang (D) http://www.myspace.com/unternehmenstahlklang Vendemmian (GB) http://www.myspace.com/vendemmianofficial VNV Nation (GB) http://www.vnvnation.de Volkmar (AUS) http://www.myspace.com/volkmarsins Vomito Negro (B) http://www.myspace.com/vomitonegro1 Whispers In The Shadow (A) http://www.myspace.com/whispersintheshadow Winterkälte (D) http://www.winterkalte.net Yelworc (D) http://www.myspace.com/yelworc Zin (D) http://www.myspace.com/zinworld For festival ticket please visit: http://www.wave-gotik-treffen.de
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