Matrix, Bochum, Germany25th March 2008
ASP, Lahannya, Caputt
One day after Easter I went to Bochum to visit the "Matrix" - one of the most known clubs in Bochum once again. This time I was involved in the exclusive HORROR VACUI WARMUP-SHOW - the start of the current HORROR VACUI TOUR of ASP - one of the most known German gothic bands. The show was sold out and at my arrival already a lot of people were standing outside waiting to get in and inside already the foyer was well-filled too.
Caputt
The evening was started with CAPUTT, a German band from Oberhausen, consisting of mastermind Matthias "Mattes" Penkert (concept, composition, programming, lyrics, vocals), Daniel "Daimeon" Moritz (composition, guitar, bass, backing-vocals) and Matthias Treder (guitar). Their new album is called ‘Djindustrie’ and was released just at 28th march 2008. http://www.caputt.de / http://www.myspace.com/caputtband
Music & Performance
I didn't know CAPUTT before, but quickly I detected that it was a gap in education, because they played a pleasing kind of fresh sounding rock with intelligent German lyrics. Quickly the crowd was dancing and singing along. Sound and light were good and the performance seemed naturally and convincing. They played a set of just five songs, starting with ‘Der Kodex’ - a so far unreleased song - followed by four songs taken from the current album ‘Djindustrie’. Quickly the time went by and after about 20 minutes CAPUTT left the stage.
Setlist
01. Der Kodex
02. Mach Mich
03. Djindustrie
04. Alakzam
05. Kalif an Stelle des Kalifen
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 8
Sound: 8
Light: 8
Total: 8
Lahannya
After a short change over, the evening went on with LAHANNYA. I heard a lot about LAHANNYA before and was happy that I could form my own opinion now. LAHANNYA is a singer, songwriter, performer and DJ. Her solo material is best described as alternative flirting with electro. However, she is currently best known for her collaborations with SOMAN, GREENHAUS and DRACUL with whom she performed many gigs and festivals including M'era Luna and Wave-Gotik-Treffen. LAHANNYA is a resident DJ at the London alternative / industrial club Slimelight. LAHANNYA live are Lahannya (vocals, song writing, lyrics and occasionally guitar), Lutz (bass, song writing, production) Chris (guitar) and Belle (drums). http://www.lahannya.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/lahannya
Music & Performance
LAHANNYA started their set with ‘Welcome to the Underground’ taken from the eponymous EP which was released on 21st march this year. After the first song the beautiful female singer welcomed the audience with German words and took of her coat for pleasure of the crowd because now she was dressed only in a girdle and a hot paint - very luscious and pleasing for the eyes. The show went on with some songs from the album ‘Shotgun Reality’ and a second song from the new EP called ‘Inside the Machine’. The crowd was impressed by the powerful performance of the band and the temper was very good. The temperature in the venue went up to the usual high level and when LAHANNYA left the stage after 35 minutes the crowd was warmed up in every respect.
Setlist
01. Welcome to the Underground
02. Narcotic
03. Charades
04. Bleed for Me
05. Inside the Machine
06. Beautiful Girl
07. Silent Victim
08. Doors
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 9
Sound: 7
Light: 8
Total: 8
ASP
After the change over now the stage was ready for the headliner ASP, a German Gothic band from Frankfurt / Main. The band was formed in 1999 and named after its lead singer Asp (short for Alexander Spreng). ASP on stage are Asp (mastermind, songwriter and singer), Matthias Ambré (producer, guitar player, backing vocal), Tossi (bass, backing vocal) and Oliver Himmighoffen (live drummer). In the last years ASP evolved into a shooting star of German gothic scene and they were headliner of the second stage at M'era Luna Festival in 2006. The current album is a best of compilation, called ‘Horror Vacui’ and was released in February 2008. http://www.thetalesofasp.com/ / www.myspace.com/thetalesofasp
Music & Performance
Already during the change over the crowd proclaimed lyrics from the songs ‘Ich will brennen’ and ‘Schwarzes Blut’ and as the band entered the stage the crowd was cooking and welcomed ASP with resounding applause. After the intro the show was started by ‘How Far Would You Go’ and because the current tour is supporting a best of album, of course the setlist was a best of setlist too. One hit followed after the other and right from the start the temper in the crowd was ecstatic, everybody in the house was dancing, screaming, and singing along. ASP played with the usual line up: "Himmi" behind the drums in the background, "Matze" and "Tossi" with their guitars at the both sides and Asp himself in the centre of the stage.
As usual at a warm up show some technical problems occurred: the microphone of ASP failed at the start of ‘Singchild’ and Matze had some problems with his in ear monitoring, but they compensated this professionally and ran a convincing powerful performance. Outstanding of the setlist was ‘Nie Mehr’ when the beautiful singer of LAHANNYA entered the stage again and sung the song together with ASP. At the end of the main set the tempo was forced and after about 105 minutes the main set finished with ‘Schwarzes Blut’ and ASP left the stage. Of course the crowd didn't want to go home yet and ASP had to come back and played three encores and did not leave until the fans got the obligatory ‘Ich Will Brennen’ what made them leaving the venue satisfied and happy.
Setlist
01. Welcome
02. How far Would You Go
03. Schwarzer Schmetterling
04. Weltunter
05. Schwarz
06. Sing Child
07. Dancing
08. Die kleine Ballade vom schwarzen Schmetterling
09. Me
10. Sanctus
11. Kokon
12. Demon Love
13. Krabat
14. Nie Mehr
15. Werben
16. Sara
17. Ich bin ein wahrer Satan
18. Duett
19. Schwarzes Blut
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20. Lykanthropie
21. Finger Weg
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22. Und wir Tanzten
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23. Ich will Brennen
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 8
Sound: 8
Light: 8
Total: 8
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