Leipzig, Germany
May 25th, 2007 to May 28th, 2007
May 25th, 2007 to May 28th, 2007
WGT DAY 3: Dope Stars Inc., Faun, Estampie/Qntal, ASP, UnterART, Punto Omega, The 69 Eyes, The Crüxshadows
The third day of the WGT came and I was excited about the bands that were coming up during this Sunday. The weather was beautiful, maybe a little bit too warm, and you could see styled people everywhere that were going to see high-class bands like DOPE STARS INC., ASP or THE CRÜXSHADOWS. It was promised to be one of the best days of this year’s WGT!
Dope Stars Inc. (Anne Kuhfuß)The third day of the WGT came and I was excited about the bands that were coming up during this Sunday. The weather was beautiful, maybe a little bit too warm, and you could see styled people everywhere that were going to see high-class bands like DOPE STARS INC., ASP or THE CRÜXSHADOWS. It was promised to be one of the best days of this year’s WGT!
DOPE STARS INC. are an Italian industrial rock 'n' roll band founded in spring 2003 by Victor Love, Darin Yevonde, Grace Khold and Brian Wolfram. They are a fairly recent project that capitalizes on cyberpunk imagery in their songs and appearance. Their idea was to create a "rock 'n' roll band with a gritty, highly seducing blend of punk attitude and industrial ‘sonic attack’". Later that year, the band's first EP was released, titled ‘10.000 Watts of Artificial Pleasures EP’. Each part of their name means something. "Dope" represents the doped, synthesized and Prozac-addicted acid that is in their blood. "Stars" represents their Rock 'n' Roll attitudes and "Inc." represents the industrial side to the music.
Right now the band is just back from the German tour and the performance at the Wave Gotik Treffen for the 2nd time and will soon perform in Spain (Barcelona), Netherlands (Utrecht, Summer Darkness Festival) and United Kingdom (Bradford, Infest UK Festival). They are also confirmed to perform at the upcoming festival "On a Dark Winter’s Night" together with NIGHTWISH, SAMSAS TRAUM, BLIND, JESUS ON EXTASY, TAROT and VAN CANTO. The festival will take place in Austria (Salzburg) @ Arena in Salzburg on 29th December and Germany (Oberhausen) @ König-Pilsener-Arena in Oberhausen on 28th December. Also more dates in Russia will be confirmed soon. http://www.dopestarsinc.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/dopestarsinc
Music
Right now the band is just back from the German tour and the performance at the Wave Gotik Treffen for the 2nd time and will soon perform in Spain (Barcelona), Netherlands (Utrecht, Summer Darkness Festival) and United Kingdom (Bradford, Infest UK Festival). They are also confirmed to perform at the upcoming festival "On a Dark Winter’s Night" together with NIGHTWISH, SAMSAS TRAUM, BLIND, JESUS ON EXTASY, TAROT and VAN CANTO. The festival will take place in Austria (Salzburg) @ Arena in Salzburg on 29th December and Germany (Oberhausen) @ König-Pilsener-Arena in Oberhausen on 28th December. Also more dates in Russia will be confirmed soon. http://www.dopestarsinc.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/dopestarsinc
Music
Their music is pretty much harder rock´n´roll but they knew how to rock the stage. Although the sound was too loud, as always in the AGRA hall, it was still a pleasure to listen to that band. Victor’s voice was great and the guitars rocked everything in the pretty crowded hall. They were one of the highlights of this year’s WGT!
Performance
Looking pretty fly as always, DOPE STARS INC. came on stage and of course, the female part of the audience began screaming. They performed as well as they usually do. They showed off their skills by constantly posing for the photographers. But besides looking sharp, they really knew how to perform on stage. The audience was thrilled and so was I, though I don’t really like their looks, unlike the rest of the female audience.
Rating
Music 9
Performance
Looking pretty fly as always, DOPE STARS INC. came on stage and of course, the female part of the audience began screaming. They performed as well as they usually do. They showed off their skills by constantly posing for the photographers. But besides looking sharp, they really knew how to perform on stage. The audience was thrilled and so was I, though I don’t really like their looks, unlike the rest of the female audience.
Rating
Music 9
Performance 9
Light - (daylight)
Sound 7
Total 8.7Faun (Anne Kuhfuß)
The German band FAUN has been founded in 1999 by Oliver Pade. Its music spreads from medieval to Arabic sounds. Like no other band, FAUN’s virtuous musicians are able to combine ancient instruments with modern influences. The band’s name describes a being from the Greek/Latin mythology, associated with Pan/Faunus. According to the band, they have chosen this name as a symbol for their close affinity to nature. Since 2001, FAUN consists of Oliver ‘Sa Tyr’ (vocals, nyckelharpa, Celtic harp, bouzouki, various lutes and diverse percussion instruments), Fiona Rüggeberg (vocals, bagpipes, dombra, rebab, oud, flutes, chalmeux, pommer & various rhythm instruments), Elisabeth Pawelke (vocals, various hurdy-gurdies), Rüdiger Maul (darabouka, davul, bendir, tamborello, riq, berimbao and diverse percussion instruments) and Niel Mitra (computer sampler and synthesizer). http://www.faune.de/ / www.myspace.com/paganfolk
Music
Their great medieval instruments had a really nice sound to it and the voices fit to it perfectly. The sound wasn’t too loud and you could just sit on the grass, drink your cherry-beer and enjoy the great music. The sun was shining too, so it was pretty great listening to them that afternoon.
Performance
FAUN performed at the “Heidnisches Dorf” on a pretty small stage. They almost didn’t fit on it but they still maintained their great way of performing. They brought you into a different world. Dancing, singing and playing were things they were really talented for. The performance was great and the band set a high standard for all German medieval bands that were going to perform at the WGT.
Rating
Music 9
Music
Their great medieval instruments had a really nice sound to it and the voices fit to it perfectly. The sound wasn’t too loud and you could just sit on the grass, drink your cherry-beer and enjoy the great music. The sun was shining too, so it was pretty great listening to them that afternoon.
Performance
FAUN performed at the “Heidnisches Dorf” on a pretty small stage. They almost didn’t fit on it but they still maintained their great way of performing. They brought you into a different world. Dancing, singing and playing were things they were really talented for. The performance was great and the band set a high standard for all German medieval bands that were going to perform at the WGT.
Rating
Music 9
Performance 8
Light - (daylight)
Sound 8
Total 8.5Estampie / Qntal (Ruth Gräbeldinger)
The German band ESTAMPIE (after a medieval dance and musical form, respectively) has been founded in 1985 by Sigrid "Syrah" Hausen, Michael Popp and Ernst Schwindl. Musically the group can be ranged in the medieval sector, though they are also working with elements from Pop and World Music; they are mainly using ancient instruments without electronic amplification. Their first album ‘A Cantar’ appeared in 1990. ‘Marco Polo’, a live DVD from 2005, is their latest output. http://www.estampie.de/ / www.myspace.com/estampie
In 1991, Ernst Horn and Michael Popp, at that time playing together in the Gothic band DEINE LAKAIEN, have founded QNTAL. Syrah was to be the vocalist of this new band; she was already working together with Michael Popp in the medieval ensemble ESTAMPIE. Eight years after the band foundation, Ernst Horn left for a new project similar to QNTAL called HELIUM VOLA. At the same time, Michael Popp left DEINE LAKAIEN, and since their third album ‘Qntal III - Tristan und Isolde’, the line-up changes are audible. Their sound has become a lot more diversified. This year, their fifth full length album appeared – ‘Qntal V - Silver Swan’. QNTAL are Sigrid “Syrah” Hausen (vocals), Michael Popp (various instruments, compositions), Philipp “Fil” Groth (keyboards) and Markus Köstner (live drums). http://www.qntal.de/ / www.myspace.com/qntal
Music
This WGT Sunday afternoon Michael Popp, Syrah and their fellow musicians had planned a very special event to take place in the Schauspielhaus. They would bring ESTAMPIE and QNTAL songs on stage together with some special guests. They started out with the ones from ESTAMPIE, very beautiful and calm, but nevertheless powerful songs, using various instruments, some of them very rare and old ones.
Syrah's beautiful and special voice guided the audience through the varied set, occasionally redeemed by her playing the flute. After about an hour's time they performed the better known QNTAL stuff, those fantastic songs somewhere between medieval music and more modern tunes. The wonderful acoustics in the Schauspielhaus also helped to make this concert a really memorable one.
Performance
In 1991, Ernst Horn and Michael Popp, at that time playing together in the Gothic band DEINE LAKAIEN, have founded QNTAL. Syrah was to be the vocalist of this new band; she was already working together with Michael Popp in the medieval ensemble ESTAMPIE. Eight years after the band foundation, Ernst Horn left for a new project similar to QNTAL called HELIUM VOLA. At the same time, Michael Popp left DEINE LAKAIEN, and since their third album ‘Qntal III - Tristan und Isolde’, the line-up changes are audible. Their sound has become a lot more diversified. This year, their fifth full length album appeared – ‘Qntal V - Silver Swan’. QNTAL are Sigrid “Syrah” Hausen (vocals), Michael Popp (various instruments, compositions), Philipp “Fil” Groth (keyboards) and Markus Köstner (live drums). http://www.qntal.de/ / www.myspace.com/qntal
Music
This WGT Sunday afternoon Michael Popp, Syrah and their fellow musicians had planned a very special event to take place in the Schauspielhaus. They would bring ESTAMPIE and QNTAL songs on stage together with some special guests. They started out with the ones from ESTAMPIE, very beautiful and calm, but nevertheless powerful songs, using various instruments, some of them very rare and old ones.
Syrah's beautiful and special voice guided the audience through the varied set, occasionally redeemed by her playing the flute. After about an hour's time they performed the better known QNTAL stuff, those fantastic songs somewhere between medieval music and more modern tunes. The wonderful acoustics in the Schauspielhaus also helped to make this concert a really memorable one.
Performance
As expected, this gig got by without a special stage performance; there were just the five musicians in front of the seated audience, completely concentrating on their songs. The Schauspielhaus, an older festival hall, was the perfect backdrop for this event, and with all the beautifully dressed visitors filling the ranks, one could get the impression of being displaced a few hundred years in the past. Beside the band one could admire the various instruments on stage which were employed during the set, showing the enormous skills of the musicians. ESTAMPIE / QNTAL are a wonderful example for a band not needing a filed stage show to impress the audience, but managing to do this with their beautiful music and impressive proficiency.
Rating
Music: 10
Rating
Music: 10
Performance: 8
Sound: 9
Light: 7
Total: 8.8
ASP (Anne Kuhfuß)
ASP is 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 one of the headliners at the WGT this year. http://www.thetalesofasp.com/ / www.myspace.com/thetalesofasp
Music
It was the second concert of ASP at this year’s WGT after playing an acoustic concert the day before. The band was in great shape and Alexander’s voice was too. It was really a pleasure listening to them that night. Standing in the middle of the audience, it was hard to move at all but having that great music around me, I didn’t care. ASP’s concerts are always great but this one had really something special to it!
Performance
The AGRA hall was crowded which wasn’t really surprising to me because ASP were definitely one of the greatest bands that day. The lights were great and Asp just knew how to rock the stage and of course, the audience, too. He looked as good as always and with hits like ‘Ich will brennen’ (I want to burn) and ‘Der schwarze Schmetterling’ (the black butterfly), this concert was a real highlight.
Rating
Music 10
ASP (Anne Kuhfuß)
ASP is 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 one of the headliners at the WGT this year. http://www.thetalesofasp.com/ / www.myspace.com/thetalesofasp
Music
It was the second concert of ASP at this year’s WGT after playing an acoustic concert the day before. The band was in great shape and Alexander’s voice was too. It was really a pleasure listening to them that night. Standing in the middle of the audience, it was hard to move at all but having that great music around me, I didn’t care. ASP’s concerts are always great but this one had really something special to it!
Performance
The AGRA hall was crowded which wasn’t really surprising to me because ASP were definitely one of the greatest bands that day. The lights were great and Asp just knew how to rock the stage and of course, the audience, too. He looked as good as always and with hits like ‘Ich will brennen’ (I want to burn) and ‘Der schwarze Schmetterling’ (the black butterfly), this concert was a real highlight.
Rating
Music 10
Performance 9
Light 8
Sound 7
Total 9
UnterART (Karolina Moszkowicz)
UNTERART was formed by Grigori Feil and Thomas Stein in 2004. Their songs featured many compilations such as ‘Industrial for the Masses’ or ‘Machineries of Joy’. In 2005, Chris Harms joined the line-up and afterwards the band released the album ‘Noise and Grace’. http://www.unterart.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/unterart
Music
To begin the concert day is usually quite a challenge, as the first concert also serves as a kinda warm-up. UNTERART provided a highly energetic, powerful and a strong kick that let the audience know that Sunday at the Parkbühne belongs to the projects that smash and not pat the listeners' heads. Especially ‘Exit’ and ‘Calvary Campaign’ proved what the band's music is like: ravishing, dynamic, with a hard-rock tint, very appealing and leaded with emotions. The concert wasn't long, but let impression of invigorating force able to infiltrate deep down to the listener's mind.
Performance
As it often happens, the performance was totally up to the vocalist - Chris Harms - whose vivid mimicry and engagement in the show made it interesting. The fans who stood closer to the scene could watch Chris' strong make-up and numerous tattoos.
Setlist
01. Zion
UnterART (Karolina Moszkowicz)
UNTERART was formed by Grigori Feil and Thomas Stein in 2004. Their songs featured many compilations such as ‘Industrial for the Masses’ or ‘Machineries of Joy’. In 2005, Chris Harms joined the line-up and afterwards the band released the album ‘Noise and Grace’. http://www.unterart.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/unterart
Music
To begin the concert day is usually quite a challenge, as the first concert also serves as a kinda warm-up. UNTERART provided a highly energetic, powerful and a strong kick that let the audience know that Sunday at the Parkbühne belongs to the projects that smash and not pat the listeners' heads. Especially ‘Exit’ and ‘Calvary Campaign’ proved what the band's music is like: ravishing, dynamic, with a hard-rock tint, very appealing and leaded with emotions. The concert wasn't long, but let impression of invigorating force able to infiltrate deep down to the listener's mind.
Performance
As it often happens, the performance was totally up to the vocalist - Chris Harms - whose vivid mimicry and engagement in the show made it interesting. The fans who stood closer to the scene could watch Chris' strong make-up and numerous tattoos.
Setlist
01. Zion
02. Calvary campaign
03. Wasteland
04. Hirntod
05. Open end
06. Exit
07. Headshot
Rating
Music: 8
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 6
Light -
Sound: 8
Total: 7.3
Punto Omega (Karolina Moszkowicz)
PUNTO OMEGA, present in the music world since 2002, play dynamic, energetic and rather hard electro music. Their artistic output is collected on two albums: debut one ‘Punto Omega’ and another one, ‘Nostalgias del Origen’. http://www.punto-omega.net/ / www.myspace.com/puntoomega
Music
At Wave Gotik Treffen, the musicians presented the music which could be described as harsh, distorted sonic attack using ravishing, appealing and strong electro beats. The sounds that flow rapidly constitute an overwhelming and overpowering entity. The music seemed to be a rare combination of catchy dance-floor hits and elevated style. Altogether the mixture is as danceable as appealing and as strong as sublime. I especially waited for the song ‘Punto Omega’, which was played when the prelude to storm reached its apogee, so the effect was really unforgettable.
Performance
PUNTO OMEGA's show started when the weather at the Parkbühne started to get worse... there were tick, grey clouds in the sky and the wind was getting stronger... surprisingly it added to the dramatic quality of the concert and strengthened its scenic impact. When Pilgrim appeared on the stage and began to play on the bagpipe and the same time around him the wind was dancing its crazy dance on the stage and on the faces of listeners, it looked really amazing.
Setlist
01. Nostalgias del Origen
Punto Omega (Karolina Moszkowicz)
PUNTO OMEGA, present in the music world since 2002, play dynamic, energetic and rather hard electro music. Their artistic output is collected on two albums: debut one ‘Punto Omega’ and another one, ‘Nostalgias del Origen’. http://www.punto-omega.net/ / www.myspace.com/puntoomega
Music
At Wave Gotik Treffen, the musicians presented the music which could be described as harsh, distorted sonic attack using ravishing, appealing and strong electro beats. The sounds that flow rapidly constitute an overwhelming and overpowering entity. The music seemed to be a rare combination of catchy dance-floor hits and elevated style. Altogether the mixture is as danceable as appealing and as strong as sublime. I especially waited for the song ‘Punto Omega’, which was played when the prelude to storm reached its apogee, so the effect was really unforgettable.
Performance
PUNTO OMEGA's show started when the weather at the Parkbühne started to get worse... there were tick, grey clouds in the sky and the wind was getting stronger... surprisingly it added to the dramatic quality of the concert and strengthened its scenic impact. When Pilgrim appeared on the stage and began to play on the bagpipe and the same time around him the wind was dancing its crazy dance on the stage and on the faces of listeners, it looked really amazing.
Setlist
01. Nostalgias del Origen
02. Guerra en los Cielos
03. Alma Gemela
04. El Regreso
05. La caida
06. Mundo de Robots
07. Marcha hacia el Punto Omega
08. Punto Omega
09. La vida es solo teatro
10. Realidad Virtual
Rating
Music: 10
Rating
Music: 10
Performance: 9
Light: 8
Sound: 9
Total: 9.3
The 69 Eyes (Anne Kuhfuß)
THE 69 EYES are a Finnish rock band, formed in Helsinki during the early 1990s. Originally the band played garage rock inspired music and were self-described as "garage glam". They were also described by the music press as "Helsinki sleaze“. By the latter part of the 1990s, the band began to take more influence from gothic rock, horror punk and glam metal. Along with their change in musical direction, the band became more popular internationally. http://www.69eyes.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/theofficial69eyes
Music
I wasn’t really convinced by their music the first time I saw them perform this year but this time, I finally knew why so many people like their music. The guitars were great and Jyrki’s voice was awesome. It really matched to their rock´n´roll music.
Performance
I saw them performing once before and I wasn’t really persuaded by their rock´n´roll-music by than. But I gotta say, this time, they were really good! Looking like old rockers with their leather jackets and sunglasses, they came on stage starting out with a great, but too loud, sound.
They played old hits like ‘Gothic Girl’ or ‘Lost Boys’ and so, it was really enjoyable watching them perform.
Rating
Music 8
The 69 Eyes (Anne Kuhfuß)
THE 69 EYES are a Finnish rock band, formed in Helsinki during the early 1990s. Originally the band played garage rock inspired music and were self-described as "garage glam". They were also described by the music press as "Helsinki sleaze“. By the latter part of the 1990s, the band began to take more influence from gothic rock, horror punk and glam metal. Along with their change in musical direction, the band became more popular internationally. http://www.69eyes.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/theofficial69eyes
Music
I wasn’t really convinced by their music the first time I saw them perform this year but this time, I finally knew why so many people like their music. The guitars were great and Jyrki’s voice was awesome. It really matched to their rock´n´roll music.
Performance
I saw them performing once before and I wasn’t really persuaded by their rock´n´roll-music by than. But I gotta say, this time, they were really good! Looking like old rockers with their leather jackets and sunglasses, they came on stage starting out with a great, but too loud, sound.
They played old hits like ‘Gothic Girl’ or ‘Lost Boys’ and so, it was really enjoyable watching them perform.
Rating
Music 8
Performance 8
Light 8
Sound 7
Total 7.9
Midnight Special: The Crüxshadows (Anne Kuhfuß)
THE CRÜXSHADOWS were founded in the beginning of the 90s in a small town in Northern Florida. Today they belong to the best known Electro-Wave bands on this world. Lots of critics did not like them; their often bewailed success was seen as an odd thing - even though there was a big and true following. Their success is no miracle. With its easily accessible and pleasing sound, the unique music of THE CRÜXSHADOWS crosses the borders of the Dance and Club scene. THE CRÜXSHADOWS are Rogue (vocals, song writing), Rachel McDonnell (violin, keyboard), George Bikos (guitar), Jen Jawidzik (live-keyboard) and the dancers Jessica Lackey und Sarah Poulos. http://www.cruxshadows.com/ / www.myspace.com/officialcruxshadows
Music
Up to this time, I’ve only heard them on CD before and I was excited to see how they were going to perform that night. Their music was awesome and they played better as they do on CD if you ask me. I really enjoyed listening to very new songs as well as their old hits!
Performance
It was the first time, I saw them performing at all and I have to say, I pretty much like them. They looked as styled as I knew them from picture I’ve seen before. Rogue’s hair was pretty strange looking and he knew how to get the audience going that night.
It was pretty late (midnight special) but I can still remember that they had a really good show.
Rating
Music 8
Midnight Special: The Crüxshadows (Anne Kuhfuß)
THE CRÜXSHADOWS were founded in the beginning of the 90s in a small town in Northern Florida. Today they belong to the best known Electro-Wave bands on this world. Lots of critics did not like them; their often bewailed success was seen as an odd thing - even though there was a big and true following. Their success is no miracle. With its easily accessible and pleasing sound, the unique music of THE CRÜXSHADOWS crosses the borders of the Dance and Club scene. THE CRÜXSHADOWS are Rogue (vocals, song writing), Rachel McDonnell (violin, keyboard), George Bikos (guitar), Jen Jawidzik (live-keyboard) and the dancers Jessica Lackey und Sarah Poulos. http://www.cruxshadows.com/ / www.myspace.com/officialcruxshadows
Music
Up to this time, I’ve only heard them on CD before and I was excited to see how they were going to perform that night. Their music was awesome and they played better as they do on CD if you ask me. I really enjoyed listening to very new songs as well as their old hits!
Performance
It was the first time, I saw them performing at all and I have to say, I pretty much like them. They looked as styled as I knew them from picture I’ve seen before. Rogue’s hair was pretty strange looking and he knew how to get the audience going that night.
It was pretty late (midnight special) but I can still remember that they had a really good show.
Rating
Music 8
Performance 8
Lights 8
Sound 7
Total 7.9
Written by Anne Kuhfuß, Karolina Moszkowicz and Ruth Gräbeldinger
Written by Anne Kuhfuß, Karolina Moszkowicz and Ruth Gräbeldinger
Comments powered by CComment