Kulturpark, Deutzen, Germany1st to 4th September 2016
NCN 2016 Day 4: Reading: Veit Factory, INTENT: Outtake, 2nd Face, Qual, Synapscape, Me The Tiger, Seventh Harmonic, Black Light Ascension, Pankow, The Cassandra Complex, Gerechtigkeitsliga, Winter Severity Index, Alec Empire, L´ame Immortelle, Der Blaue Reiter, Selofan, Megaherz, Fixmer / McCarthy
It seems there is no NCN without rain. After to perfect days weather-wise, it already started raining when we were still sitting on our breakfast table. But luckily, it was no heavy rain and we also had dry periods on the day when the sun was wonderfully shining. The day started with a reading at the culture stage, perfect to slowly go into a festival day…
Reading: Veit Factory - Kulturbühne (Janine)
The artist and author Veit Keller aka "Krähenprinz" presented an extract of his reading show to his actual work ‘Der Krähenwald’ (The Crow Forest). The audience was leaded to moments of this novel via reading, pictures and audio book examples. Next chance to see his show will be at the Autumn Moon Festival in Hameln. // www.veit-factory.de / https://www.facebook.com/Kraehenprinz
INTENT: Outtake - Weidenbogenbühne (Oleg)
Third day of NCN was opened by the two-man electro-formation from Leipzig, INTENT: OUTTAKE, who make aggressive and melodic dark electro. This band has own vision and not follow modern trends: they want to make really melancholic dark music and make it good. // http://www.intentouttake.de / https://www.facebook.com/INTENTOUTTAKE // Setlist: 01. Before I go / 02. Neustart / 03. Der Mammon / 04. Der letzte Tanz / 05. The Edge / 06. Evolution / 07. Seek & Destroy // Rating: 8 / 10
2nd Face - Amphibühne (Oleg)
The modern industrial band 2ND FACE beat the audience with rhythmic but melodic mixture. A bit “strange” but cool music of this band sounds between club music and industrial. To my mind - the best combination. Too bad it was raining during their show and so, the early attendees preferred to stay in the back below big umbrellas or the trees. // https://www.facebook.com/iindface // Rating: 7 / 10
Qual - Parkbühne (Oleg)
Gloomy electronics of the one-man project QUAL created an atmosphere of vile visions, despaired in a frowning black tower of pain. With this atmospheric dark electronics, the audience fell into a trance-like condition. It was a very dark and moody set. // https://www.facebook.com/qual.death // Rating: 7 / 10
Synapscape - Weidenbogenbühne (Janine)
SYNAPSCAPE from Bielefeld fascinate their audience with high quality Rhythmic Electronic Music. Tim Kniep and Philipp Münch presented their work with focus on their last album ‘Rhythm Age’. The happy people attending this concert danced with umbrellas - ignoring the rain, adoring the sound. // http://www.synapscape.org / https://www.facebook.com/synapscape // Rating: 7 / 10
Me The Tiger - Amphibühne (Janine)
The author's personal highlight of the day performed at a well-crowded Amphibühne. After an atmospheric intro, the Swedish trio ME THE TIGER - formed by Gabriella Åström, Tobias Andersson and Jonas Martinsson - entered the stage with the hit ‘Pocket Sized Edition Ending’. The heavily pregnant front woman thrilled her audience with pure power and a voice which blows you away. Her bandmates - on the left on synths or guitar, on the right on the drums - were enthusiastic and freaking out as well. The energy they released on stage directly set the crowd on fire. With songs like ‘Ariana’, ‘As We Really Are’ or ‘Back To Loss’ from the new album, they convinced both fans and newbies. ME THE TIGER concluded their breath-taking set with ‘All We Had’. Cannot wait to see them again! But firstly all the best for the soon-to-be mom Gabriella! Though they produced some really good videos, take a look at the YouTube-Channel of ME THE TIGER at https://www.youtube.com/user/METHETIGERSWEDEN // www.methetiger.se / https://www.facebook.com/MeTheTiger // Rating: 9 / 10
Seventh Harmonic - Kulturbühne (Oleg)
A quiet and calm SEVENTH HARMONIC show was an ideal course for a long concert day! With a projector beaming images behind them, the Swedish-British fiver created a beautiful, haunting atmosphere. The percussionist (not an ordinary drummer) was really impressive. An enchanting performance! // http://www.seventh-harmonic.com / https://www.facebook.com/SeventhHarmonicEthereal // Rating: 10 / 10
Black Light Ascension - Parkbühne (Janine)
Two gentlemen from London were up to enter the Parkbühne… Andrew Trail and Hunter Barr aka BLACK LIGHT ASCENSION, categorized as Post Punk futurists, presented a representative cross section of their work. Fans of AGENT SIDE GRINDER would like them, although the melodies are a bit less catchy. // https://www.facebook.com/blacklightascension // Rating: 7 / 10
Pankow - Weidenbogenbühne (Oleg)
Old-school Electro Industrial band PANKOW rocked the stage in the middle of last festival day. They devote themselves to a dark, expressionist, apocalyptic brand of electronic body music. I looked around I saw that almost everybody was moving to their fiery music. // http://www.pankow.co.uk / https://www.facebook.com/pankowband // Setlist: 01. I'm Lost, Little Girl / 02. Sickness Takin' Over / 03. Adrenalina / 04. Brucia Europa / 05. Logophobia / 06. Gimme More / 07. Kunst und Wahnsinn / 08. Escape From Beige Land (MMXII) / 09. Das Wodkachaos / 10. Me and my Ding Dong / 11. God's Deneuve // Rating: 9 / 10
The Cassandra Complex - Amphibühne (Oleg)
This was my second show of THE CASSANDRA COMPLEX this summer. I should say that I’m not big fan of this band. But it does not prevent me to say - they can please the crowd! They certainly could meet everyone’s higher expectations. I can easily say that without bands like are THE CASSANDRA COMPLEX this genre would be in stagnation, almost dead or at least it will remain asleep in the 80s tradition. // http://cassandracomplex.eu / https://www.facebook.com/thecassandracomplex // Setlist: 01. Nightfall (Over EC) / 02. Too Stupid to Sin / 03. Presents (Come of Age) / 04. What can I do / 05. Datakill / 06. Second Shot / 07. Why? / 08. The War against Sleep / 09. Moscow Idaho / 10. March / 11. One Millionth Happy Customer // Rating: 9 / 10
Gerechtigkeits Liga - Kulturbühne (Janine)
Meeting again the guys of BLACK LIGHT ASCENSION in the front row of the Kulturbühne, watching GERECHTIGKEITS LIGA, a Post-Industrial project formed in 1981 in Bremen. Noisy Industrial sounds meet ritual drums and few people in the sun. There is hardly no chance to see them live, but on the NCN - a festival with rare and special acts. // www.gerechtigkeitsliga.com / https://www.facebook.com/Gerechtigkeits-Liga-107807962585860 // Rating: 5 / 10
Winter Severity Index - Parkbühne (Oleg)
With an exclusive and unique ethereal world, Italy’s WINTER SEVERITY INDEX gives a sense of peace . It was like a dive into an eerily beautiful world. Is was a stunning set, a mood piece arranged into movements that feed one to another, cohesive, atmospheric and bold songs. Whatever they do next, you just get the feeling it will be very special indeed. // https://www.facebook.com/winterseverityindex // Setlist: 01. Bianca / 02. Athlete / 03. A Quiet Life / 04. No Will / 05. Compulsion / 06. Waiting Room / 07. Backstroke / 08. 5 am / 09. A Sudden Cold // Rating: 8 / 10
Alec Empire - Weidenbogenbühne (Janine)
As substitute for ORGY, who cancelled their European visitation, organizer Holger Troisch could win a real cult artist of the Dark Electro scene: ALEC EMPIRE, head of ATARI TEENAGE RIOT, demanded his audience by 35 minutes of spherical sound mists before bringing the first beats and synth chinks and clanks to it. Something special for the sophisticated die-hard fans. But sadly it was still too bright to enjoy the videos along to the show. // https://www.facebook.com/alec.empire.7 / https://www.facebook.com/Atari.Teenage.Riot.ACTIVATE // Rating: 5 / 10
L´ame Immortelle - Amphibühne (Janine)
Sonja Kraushofer and Thomas Rainer, scene heroes for more than 15 years now, delighted the people in the rotunda of the Amphibühne with melodies for eternity from the Austrian cult Darkwave/ Gothic duo that has been stirring up the gothic scene worldwide. With the mega hit ‘Life Will Never Be The Same Again’ and the dance guarantee ‘Phoenix aus der Asche’, the band from Vienna caught their audience from the very beginning. Unfortunately the heaven had no grace and cried all the set long ‘Bis zum Ende’ (Until The End) full of ‘Bitterkeit’ (Bitterness). Sonja impressed with a very dramatic interpretation of the songs, acting and dancing. The outstanding singer even changed her wardrobe , when Rainer performed alone. All in all a solid, professional set with a cross section of their work including all the hits. // http://www.lameimmortelle.com / https://www.facebook.com/LAI.official // Setlist: 01. Life Will Never Be the Same Again / 02. Phoenix aus der Asche / 03. Stumme Schreie / 04. Bitterkeit / 05. Aus den Ruinen / 06. Fallen Angel / 07. Ich fang Dich auf / 08. Judgement / 09. Gefallen / 10. Wie Tränen im Regen / 11. Ich gab Dir alles / 12. Love is Lost / 13. Eye of the Storm / 14. Es tut mir Leid / 15. 5 Jahre / 16. Requiem // Rating: 8 / 10
Der Blaue Reiter - Kulturbühne (Oleg)
The apocalyptic ambient project from Sweden, DER BLAUE REITER, impressed me with the sad violins radiate hopelessness and black despair. I’ve never had the chance to be part of one of their live performances up to now. Naturally, this music isn´t intended for listeners who prefer easy listening songs. I like their artistic manner to express their vision of some historic events. If you are interested in this kind of music, you have to listen to this band attentively to find approach to that poetic and at the same time cruel stuff. // https://www.facebook.com/derblauereiterband // Rating: 8 / 10
Selofan - Parkbühne (Oleg)
A theatrical concept mixed up with the personal element on stage is creating a specific aesthetic with the performances of Greek duet SELOFAN. Their music is a mix of diverse music structures and moods that show the leading energy, lifetime’s experience, a deep romantic sensibility and sometimes is cold to the listener, giving the feeling of despair and suffocation. The sound Dimitris “synthesizes” complemented with Joanna’s words create the main message of their music: Love each other, death waits around the corner with a rose between his teeth. // https://www.facebook.com/selofan.funpage // Rating: 8 / 10
Megaherz - Weidenbogenbühne (Janine)
In your face! MEGAHERZ, one of the founders of Neue Deutsche Härte, burned down everything. Entering the stage with ‘Zombieland’, there are no questions left where our journey was about to go. The heaven was still crying, but the 20 years of band history on stage lightened the fire to let the people clap and cheer instead of holding their umbrellas. Of course they performed tracks from their actual long player ‘Glorreiche Zeiten’ as well as all-time favourites like ‘Miststück’, ‘Dein Herz schlägt’ and ‘Jagdzeit’. The crowd was enthusiastic and had a lot of fun. Finally it stopped raining, a circumstance which seemingly empowered the band even more. They gave everything with ‘Roter Mond’ or ‘Wer hat Angst vorm schwarzen Mann?’ and showed their romantic side with ‘Für immer’. At least MEGAHERZ left their audience breathless with an extra portion of encores: ‘Kopfschuss’, ‘5. März’ and ‘Gegen den Wind’ built a very intensive conclusion. // http://www.megaherz.de / https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMegaherz // Setlist: 01. Zombieland / 02. Fanatisch / 03. Glorreiche Zeiten / 04. Dein Herz schlägt / 05. Wer hat Angst vorm schwarzen Mann / 06. Roter Mond / 07. Einsam / 08. Augenblick / 09. Miststück / 10. Jagdzeit / 11. Jordan / 12. Für immer / Encores: 13. Kopfschuss / 14. 5. März / 15. Gegen den Wind / 16. Himmelsstürmer // Rating: 9 / 10
Fixmer / McCarthy - Amphibühne (Dani)
It was back in 2008 when FIXMER / MCCARTHY were headlining the last day of NCN. I remember the show very well since it was raining cats and dogs. We were standing in the photo pit, holding umbrellas for each other so we could do at least a few photographs. This year, there was only a little rain and so the party at the end of the day was great. The EBM duo FIXMER/ MCCARTHY was eagerly awaited by the fans. Douglas McCarthy was THE voice and mastermind of the EBM band NITZER EBB that split in 1995 (and re-formed a few years ago) and Terence Fixmer is a techno producer well known for his remixes as well as his live shows. In 2002 they met and decided to work together and this collaboration led to the release of two albums and some touring. With hammering beats and the unmistakably voice of Douglas they invited the audience to dance to their sound and they happily did especially the hard-core fans and there were quite a lot. I was especially happy that the duo added a few NITZER EBB songs, like ‘Join in the Chant’ and ‘Control I’m here’, into the set. Great final of the day! // http://www.fixmermccarthy.com / https://www.facebook.com/pages/FixmerMcCarthy/42966951729 // Rating: 9 / 10
After the concerts, the obligatory crew picture was scheduled. The whole NCN crew gathered on stage and organiser Holger thanked his crew and the audience for a wonderful festival. And we thank also for this perfect weekend!
Gallery
Written by Janine Rumrich, Oleg Khazron & Daniela Vorndran
All pictures by Daniela Vorndran (http://www.vorndranphotography.com / http://www.facebook.com/blackcatnet) and Kateryna Gubanova
Comments powered by CComment