Expo, Waregem, Belgium25th to 27th July 2008
Gothic Festival Day 3: De Volanges, DIN[A]TOD, Joy Disaster, Collection d'Arnell-Andrea, Madre Del Vizio, Garden of Delight, Cinema Strange, Trisomie 21, Das Ich, The Neon Judgement, Qntal, Anne Clark
That was it already; the last festival day has come. I was especially looking forward the show of GARDEN OF DELIGHT who are going on their very final tour currently. Another highlight were surely local heroes THE NEON JUDGEMENT and the day’s headliner ANNE CLARK with a fabulous show.
De Volanges [Club Stage - JU]
From 1990 - 1997 DE VOLANGES, an exclusively by 80s underground rock influenced band, solely played live gigs together with bands like THE PASSENGERS or CORPUS DELICTI. During that period about 15 tracks had been recorded, becoming part of various compilations and being used for promotional purposes. After a concert in July 1997, the band splits up and every band member is pursuing other projects, but in early 2002 they come back together and a new chapter began seeing the band finally recording their first album ‘The Outcast’ getting released by Str8line Records in May 2006. DE VOLANGES are Yvan (bass), Renaud (guitar & vocals) and Enrico (drums). http://www.myspace.com/devolanges
Music & Performance
The Brussels-based Batcave / Gothic band DE VOLANGES opened the third day of the Gothic festival with their gig at the club stage. Influenced by pioneering bands like early THE CURE, JOY DIVISION or THE CHAMELEONS they presented their own version of classic Gothic Rock. The two long and exhausting festival days took its toll so that less people turned up at the Expo Hall than at the same time the day before. DE VOLANGES studio work has a dark beauty to it and is highly recommended to anyone who loves the good old New Wave bands. Live on stage DE VOLANGES could not really satisfy me, I have to admit. Their show is not too exciting, to say the least, and some technical problems surely did not help to improve the overall impression. Songs like ‘This Sorrow’ or the AND ALSO THE TREES cover ‘Missing’ are certainly great songs, but their gig in Waregem missed this special little something which would have made it truly memorable.
Rating
Music: 7
Performance: 6
Sound: 6
Light: 7
Total: 6.6
DIN[A]TOD [Main Stage - JU]
After they had played in several other bands, Sven Clausen and Claudia Fasold decided to work as a duo because they were tired of smelly rehearsal rooms and people interfering with their musical preferences. The first release of the project DIN[A]TOD was the ‘Living Dead EP’ in 2005 which was released on a 10” Picture Vinyl Disc. The title track became a scene-wide hit in the clubs. Over two years and lots of hard work later, they could finally present their first full time album ‘The Sound of Crash’ and all the hard work paid off as both fans and press loved their uncommon music style in combination with the damn cool vocals and on the Out of Line Festival Tour taking place in November 2007, they also perform the material live in several German cities. DIN[A]TOD is Sven Clausen (vocals, guitar, construction), Claudia Fasold (synths, vocals, construction) and Phelix Schneefeld (synths, sounds, construction). http://www.dinatod.de/ / http://www.myspace.com/dinatod
Music & Performance
After a lot of advanced praise I was curious what DIN[A]TOD have to offer live. Unfortunately the first few songs of their set suffered from bad sound so that the tracks couldn’t display their full effect. But the problem was solved halfway through the set so that it sounded much better at the end. DIN[A]TOD are ear candy for all fans of early NEW ORDER, old HUMAN LEAGUE or NEON JUDGEMENT, and it’s great to see a young band producing music in the tradition of the founders of our scene, but not without adding a modern 21st century touch to it. The show was a bit static, that is the band members hardly moved at all and they didn’t communicate with audience as well - which caused a total silence in the venue during a longer break between two songs - but then DIN[A]TOD make Cold Wave, not sunshine reggae! ;-)
Electronics are an important part of DIN[A]TOD’s sound but Clausen’s guitar is a nice addition and makes clear that the band also loves guitar-driven New Wave like JOY DIVISION or early SISTERS OF MERCY. For those in love with 1980s Pop, DIN[A]TOD performed ‘Carol’s Fascination’ with Claudia Fasold delivering alluring lead vocals. The music of DIN[A]TOD is minimal, catchy and intriguing and I’m sure that DIN[A]TOD will have a successful career ahead of them - that their gig at the Gothic Festival was probably not their finest live moment cannot distract from that. And the longer the show was running, the better it got. A band to be reckoned with in the near future!
Rating
Music: 9
Performance: 7
Sound: 6
Light: 7
Total: 7.7
Joy Disaster [Club Stage - JU]
As they’re not signed to any label, this band from France is surely an exception on the Gothic Festival. Through tireless touring they’ve meanwhile a loyal fellowship around them. Being true workaholics, they’ve also been very eager to massively promote themselves in sending hundreds of copies of their first demo between 2005 and 2006 to the media to get more feedback and maybe a record deal but obviously nothing happened. In September 2006, they self-released their debut ‘J.D’ and sold it on their gigs. A new album called ‘Paranoia’ followed in 2007. JOY DISASTER is Nicolas Rohr (vocals & guitars), Franz “Mac” Gray (bass) and David L’huillier (drums). http://www.myspace.com/joydisaster
Music & Performance
JOY DISASTER apparently chose their name carefully. The band’s name does remind on JOY DIVISION phonetically, and in fact their singer's voice sounds like JOY DIVISION’s Ian Curtis a lot too. The music, on the other hand, is pretty different although it is fair to say that the legendary Manchester band is one of the influences of JOY DISASTER, who state themselves that they are also influenced by other big names like THE CLASH or THE RAMONES and all kinds of Rock’n’Roll from the 1950s to today. This mix adds up nicely to a Post-Punk style with some melancholic moments and a lot of in-yer-face Rock, so that JOY DISASTER would be a great support act for both BILLY TALENT and INTERPOL. Their gig at the Gothic Festival stood a little out as it was so to speak the “least gothic” gig of the weekend and much more straight Rock than most other bands. And that’s what I loved about them so much, they brought some change and some Rock’n’Roll with Punk attitude, and also some cool hooks. This gig was fun to watch!
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 8
Sound: 8
Light: 7
Total: 7.9
Collection d'Arnell-Andrea [Main Stage - JU]
The band was founded by Jean-Christophe d'Arnell (main composer, writer, piano / keyboards), Pascal Andréa, and Chloé St Liphard in 1986. Andréa left the band shortly after its founding, before its first performance. However, d'Arnell left Andréa's name in the band name. In 1988 the band debuted with their first 4-Track 12” ‘Autumn's Breath for Anton's Death’ which is a sought-after item by now. The band is known for their rather fragile style, tastefully blending together the worlds of cello, keys, bass guitar atop a minimalist rhythmic composition. Some of their albums like ‘Tristesse de Mans’ (2002) have even focussed in 19th and early 20th century themes. With that they’ve been able to increase their fan base gradually and are loved for their intense live performances. http://cdaa.free.fr/ / http://www.myspace.com/collectiondarnellandrea
Music & Performance
From the poppy but melancholic Post-Punk of JOY DISASTER to the elegiac chamber music of COLLECTION D’ARNELL-ANDREA at the main stage. An ensemble of seven musicians entered the stage, of course including mastermind Jean-Christophe d’Arnell and singer Chloé St Liphard, whose voice is often compared to the ones Lisa Gerard (DEAD CAN DANCE) and Elisabeth Frazer (COCTEAU TWINS) and the music of COLLECTION D’ARNELL-ANDREA will appeal to all fans of the mentioned as well. Combining cellos and violins with synths and droning drums, the French band creates a dark, mysterious and enchanting musical world. But their gig in Waregem suffered from very serious technical problems during the first few songs. A very deep and very loud sub-bass sounded through the PA so that many people covered their ears, and after some more feedbacks a few people even left.
What a pity for COLLECTION D’ARNELL-ANDREA! They surely have great qualities, and later most of the technical problems were solved during their further performance. Those who stayed for the entire show - and thankfully this were a good number of people - experienced a haunting performance, backed up by a nice video show and carried by Chloé St Liphard’s distinctive voice. But COLLECTION D’ARNELL-ANDREA could only show a small part of what they have to offer, unfortunately. To all those who wanna explore this band I recommend the double CD compilation ‘Coll AGE 1988-1998’, released 1998 on Last Call Records.
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 6
Sound: 6
Light: 7
Total: 7
Madre Del Vizio [Club Stage - JU]
The German four-piece first appearance on the musical scenery was with their first Split-EP together with LES FLEURS DU MAL. It should take them two years to release the debut ‘Dio, Dio, Dio’ in 1992, followed by many tours all over Europe, the addition of a second guitarist to the line-up another output ‘The Crypt’ (1993). Meanwhile the band had become a constant in the Goth Rock Area, but after the release of the two EPs ‘Feast of Blood’ and ‘All around’ in 1995 and 1996 they had to change their band name to MADRE due to rights issues in order to release the new album ‘Mesmerismo’ on the new found label Schwarzrock in 1998. Their most recent album is called ‘Antonomasia’ (2005). http://www.myspace.com/madre2008
Music & Performance
This band is many ways a curiosity - coming from Germany, influenced by American Death Rock and Gothic Rock (rather than its European counterpart) and singing exclusively in Italian language. I remember some of MADRE DEL VIZIO’s work from around the mid-90s so it was great to see them listed for the Gothic Festival. And MADRE DEL VIZIO live lives up to the impression that they are an unusual band. Singer Fulvio Tori, whose Italian roots are the reason why MADRE DEL VIZIO’s lyrics are solely in Italian, doesn’t look like a typical Gothic Rock front man, but he pulled his baseball cap over his face and hided it also with a scarf. At times he even sang through this scarf!
His voice is also something which one needs getting used to. Often it’s rather sprechgesang than singing, and his murmuring, stammering and clamouring had a diabolic quality to it. An unusual approach, but pretty cool! What impressed me even more is the performance of guitarist Michael “Reb” Rebbig - a true master of this instrument! The licks, lines and motives he played, and how he played them, were simply stunning. Well, Rebbig re-placed two guitarist which left the band. Yes, *two*! Rebbig plays so perfectly - and so fast - that MADRE DEL VIZIO don’t need another guitarist. Perhaps the most accomplished guitarist of the weekend. The rhythm section with Kain playing the bass and Upiry playing the drums deserve some credit as well and the whole band deserves credit for bringing finest yet non-typical Gothic Rock to Waregem. Let’s hope that we will see more of this so far rather underrated band!
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 10
Sound: 8
Light: 7
Total: 8.9
Garden of Delight [Main Stage - JU]
Especially in the early and mid 90s GARDEN OF DELIGHT were considered one of the leading bands in the Goth Rock genre. The initial concept of that band, founded by Artaud Seth in 1990 - and for a certain time completed by Adrian Hates - was to release 7 albums in 7 years with 7 tracks each and to split up afterwards. Regardless of the success they meanwhile had, they actually called it quits in 1997 after releasing the last album ‘Paradise’ and playing a farewell concert in Derby in October of the same year, but Artaud’s newly founded project CHAOS GOD wasn’t as successful as expected and so the band came back from the death in 2000, since when they’ve released a long series of new albums, many following a conceptual plan.
Now it seems the definite end of this band has been reached as they announced to split up for good after a concert on 1st November 2008, so this will be one of the last chances to see this band live. GARDEN OF DELIGHT is Artaud Seth (vocals, programming), Jawa Seth (bass), Nils Herbig (guitar) and Mik York (guitar). http://www.garden-of-delight.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/lutherion
Music & Performance
Thank god that I didn’t miss the chance to witness one of the very last concerts by GARDEN OF DELIGHT! Because their gig in Waregem was simply mind-blowing! Thankfully, there was no trace anymore of all of the technical problems which the previous bands performing at the main stage had to endure; the sound was clear, loud and very dynamic. And GARDEN OF DELIGHT truly know how to put on an intoxicating live show.
The leather-clad boys and the sexy lady playing the bass simply look good on stage, and band leader Artaud Seth is a true Rock performer in the best sense of the word. Musically the gig of GARDEN OF DELIGHT was echoing the one by FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM the night before, and the legendary British act was surely one of the influences for Seth & Co. Like quite a few early Gothic Rock bands GARDEN OF DELIGHT don’t use a drummer, they use a drum machine - but they also use electronics to enhance their sound with some effects and sequencer lines. GARDEN OF DELIGHT sounded a bit more electronic than I remembered them, and in combination with the impulsive guitars (which tend to be a bit more Gothic Metal than Gothic Rock nowadays) and catchy, hymn-like melodies they have a musical mix which I simply found irresistible. A shame that GARDEN OF DELIGHT will split up in late 2008, I could do with a few more shows by this great band!
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 9
Sound: 9
Light: 8
Total: 8.5
Cinema Strange [Club Stage - JU]
This extraordinary band was founded by the brothers Daniel and Michael Ribiat in 1994, influenced by the traditional Gothic Rock of the 80s with bands such as the VIRGIN PRUNES or SEX GANG CHILDREN. The year 2000 should change everything, when they got signed by German label Trisol Music and henceforth could at least release their albums in whole Europe and the first two albums for the label went by the names of ‘Cinema Strange’ and ‘The Astonished Eyes of Evening’. After an anniversary release and a DVD in 2004 and 2205, they’ve released their third album with the flamboyant title ‘Quatorze Examples Authentiques du Triomphe de la Musique Décorative’ CINEMA STRANGE is Lukas Lanthier (vocals, libretto), Michael Ribiat (guitar, programming), Daniel Ribiat (E-bass, keys) and Danny Walker (drums). http://www.nightmarezone.de/cinemastrange / www.myspace.com/cinemastrange
Music & Performance
Back to the club stage, where the US-Death Rock band CINEMA STRANGE were on the schedule. And they are strange indeed - having evolved from Death Rock to a somewhat burlesque and bizarre gothic musical, CINEMA STRANGE one of the most remarkable stage shows around. It has many theatre elements, and Lanthier, Walker and the two Ribiat brothers are not simply playing their instruments, they are kinda acting on stage. Especially singer Lanthier, and of course all of them in full costumes in early 20th century style. The opinions on the grotesque CINEMA STRANGE show vary; some love it to death, for some others it is simply not their cup of tea. I have to admit that I’m among the latter, although I do appreciate the extraordinary approach of the band and their abundant qualities, but I’m not too keen on Lanthier’s high-pitched voice, which sounds almost like a female one. Well, you can’t like everything! A very good band, I’m glad that they performed at the Gothic Festival and the numerous fans at the venue proved that there are many who love them, but personally I enjoy other music a little bit more. ;-)
Rating
Music: 6
Performance: 8
Sound: 8
Light: 7
Total: 7
Trisomie 21 [Main Stage - JU]
With the release of their very first album ‘Le Repos Des Enfants Heureux’ (1983) the French band, founded by the two brothers Hervé and Philippe Lomprez was compared to icons like JOY DIVISION and THE CURE because of their melancholic wave-esque sound, now they have to hold up for comparisons themselves and together with bands like NEON JUDGEMENT or FRONT 242 for instance belong to the pioneers in the cold electronic music movement. Until they disappeared for almost 7 years in 1996 due to contractual problems with their former label, they’ve pushed out quite an amazing amount of 12” and albums including hits like ‘The Last Song’ or ‘La Fete Triste’ The fans celebrated when their heroes finally returned in 2003 with ‘Happy Mystery Child’ on Belgian label Alfa Matrix, combining the dark, haunted soul of the band with new, stronger song writing. In 2007, they released a special box collection to celebrate their 20th anniversary; simultaneously work on a new album had started which is now in its process of completion. http://www.trisomie21.tv/ / http://www.myspace.com/chromomusic
Music & Performance
What was that? Without denying the long history and the pioneering work of TRISOMIE 21, I cannot help but to say that this was perhaps the worst of all performances at the Gothic Festival 2008. And I’m sure that their fans will disagree strongly here, especially as many T21 fans apparently came exclusively TRISOMIE 21 show. At least I didn’t see all the people in the white fan club shirts over the rest of the weekend. And yes, TRISOMIE made some great albums in the late 1980s, and they do have some brilliant songs. But all this didn’t help much in face of what we were catered at this very show.
Singer Philippe Lomprez, who rather looked like your maths teacher than a French Coldwave legend, sand out of tune - permanently! It seemed as if he didn’t hit a single note throughout the entire set. His brother Herve Lomprez had a bass guitar around his neck but he began to play it only a few minutes after(!) a bass guitar was audible. Apparently he only added a few parts to the playback - he didn’t try to hide this, but it looked pretty awkward. The fans on the other hand didn’t care about all the demerits of this performance, obviously, and celebrated the show of their heroes. TRISOMIE 21 do have some great melodies and songs with a blissful but melancholic feel to them. But any other band would get a slating review for a performance like that, so I can’t let TRISOMIE 21 get away with it just because they made some great records in the past. I hate to say it, but if I’m completely honest this gig was nothing but a disappointment.
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 3
Sound: 7
Light: 7
Total: 6.2
Das Ich [Club Stage - PS]
The band around Bruno Kramm and Stefan Ackermann is one of the biggest exceptions in the German - and also in the International music scene and since the early 90s also belongs to the most important bands of the Gothic Scene in Germany. Despite them only singing in German, they play gigs all over Europe and America. Hits like ‘Gottes Tod’ are guarantors for full clubs since they’ve been released but they’re not only able to fill clubs, they cause you to think with the Stefan’s spit-out penetrating lyrics and challenge with their demanding compositions, blending, neo-classic, avant-garde and playful electronics to a matchless mixture. DAS ICH is Bruno Kramm (music & backing vocals) and Stefan Ackermann (lyrics and vocals) and live keyboarder Kain. http://www.dasich.de/ / http://www.myspace.com/dasich
Music & Performance
With Sunday starting to get to the later part of it's evening and the room getting in a "wanting to dance mood" it was time for DAS ICH to get onto the club stage. Not bringing their entire setup with moving cranes the synthesizers actually had to be duct-taped to a bunch of plastic crates in order to put them on the stage. Yes you read that correctly, red coca cola crates and duct tape made this show possible.
The good part of going to a DAS ICH show is that you'll get plenty of action on stage with Stefan on stage but that’s about the only show you are going to get with Bruno jumping up and down a bit on the left-hand side of the stage. But then nobody in the audience really cared that is all the show there is, nor did much people noticed the microphone problems early on in the set with Bruno taking over the vocals for a few chords. DAS ICH brought a good set as was to be expected but not that memorable. The new track from the upcoming album ‘Kannibale’ was a high point, as was the obligatory final track ‘Destillat’ where we'll forgive an exhausted front man of 'forgetting' the lyrics every now and then.
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 8
Sound: 8
Light: 5
Total: 7.6
The Neon Judgement [Main Stage - PS]
Emerging from the small town Leuven near Brussels, this band’s a creative force for more than 20 years now. Ever since their early days when they’re working with low-fi technology the two members TB Frank and Dirk Da Davo always strived to surpass the boundaries of what was and what is possible in the so called New Wave genre they’ve been categorized into. Sometimes it was more rock, other times more industrial, but always with a certain sense of anger and loss that is permeating through their various releases like a distinct print since 1980 and also live they’re far away from being an ordinary act. In 1998, they briefly stopped performing, but reformed in 2004 to constantly tout until 2006. Since ‘Daszoo’ (1998) no new album has been released, but in the meantime the label PIAS has re-released quite a bunch of the old material in 2005. http://www.theneonjudgement.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/theneonjudgement
Music & Performance
Well, one thing was for certain. THE NEON JUDGEMENT had nothing to prove anymore when they started on the first track of 1981-1984 so there was some excellent fun on stage between members Dirk and Frank. As the show progressed, the temperature got higher and the sweat started to drip both onstage as in the audience. And the ultimate show-off on stage? '3 weeks of costa brava baby!' followed by the next track. Going thru the early songs it was surprisingly that even the less danceable entries in the discography such as 'Nion' still gave a huge reaction from the audience and all in all, the band's timeslot ran out way to quickly - but not to panic. THE NEON JUDGEMENT came back on stage for 3 more songs and in return the stage manager got "een toek op zen bakkes" which is local language for a fist in the face - it kinda sums up the humour that went on on stage all the time. And when it all was over, a big puddle of liquid - likely not all spilled water and beer - was left before the stage with in-between two visitors who clearly did not survive the fashion party. THE NEON JUDGEMENT, a great gig that should never have ended...
Rating
Music: 9
Performance: 9
Sound: 9
Light: 8
Total: 8.9
Qntal [Club Stage - JU]
In late 1991 QNTAL was formed by DEINE LAKAIEN musician Ernst Horn together with Michael Popp being a live musician with the band at that time. They later added vocalist Syrah (aka Sigrid Hausen) to complete the band. In 1992 the first album ‘Qntal I’ was released via Chrome Records. Due to the awesome feedback they decided to continue work on the project and in 1995 ‘Qntal II’ saw the light of day, followed by the first live performance of the band ever. In 1999 Horn and Popp were falling out with each other eventually leading to Horn leaving the band, but it didn’t mean the end for QNTAL. With Philip Groth as new member QNTAL returned in 2003 with the album ‘Qntal III - Tristan & Isolde’. It was also Groths work that gave the band some fresh new impulses.
The following years brought a always further growing reputation as live band as well as some new outputs, culminating in the release of ‘Translucida’, the sixth QNTAL album to date QNTAL is Michael Popp (medieval instruments, composition), Sigrid “Syrah” Hausen (vocals), Philip Groth (keys) and Markus Köstner (live drums). http://www.qntal.de/ / http://www.myspace.com/qntal
Music & Performance
A colleague dismissed QNTAL as “fairy music” but even if their ethereal music with classic and medieval elements and lots of electronics is not your cup of tea you should acknowledge that QNTAL are indeed highly accomplished musicians, some of them even have academic grades in music sciences. This of course does not mean that everyone must love QNTAL’s music, tastes are different after all, but the bands qualities are undeniable and at the Gothic Festival, QNTAL showed their competences once again.
Singer Syrah enchanted the audience with her heavenly, somewhat Elven-like voice. QNTAL founding member Michael Popp delivered also some vocals but most of the time he focussed on playing more or less obscure music instruments like fiddle, saz, shalm, ud or tar (I told you that the instruments are bizarre! *g*) while band mate Fil plays more conventional instruments like keyboards and guitars, just as guest musician Markus Köstner who plays the drums and percussions. For those who are willing to engage in QNTAL’s music, the four-piece is a very enchanting experience with their wonderful blend of classical, medieval and electronic music. A very charming and very relaxed gig.
Rating
Music: 9
Performance: 8
Sound: 7
Light: 7
Total: 8.1
Anne Clark [Main Stage - JU]
By many people she’s called the Grande Dame of the international New Wave scene, but she surely has become an icon even outside of that particular genre. Her experimental music occupies a region bounded roughly by electronic, dance (techno applies on occasion) and possibly avant-garde genres, with varying hard as well as romantic and orchestral styles. However this can only be used to give a small hint on the variety of styles she’s processing and the emotionality of her music. Other than many others ANNE CLARK is a spoken-word artist and so it’s more like a narration, when she’s performing her lyrics, often critically dealing with the imperfections of humanity, everyday life, and politics and it’s always an experience for those who attend her live shows. Throughout her long-lasting career she’s released over a dozen albums. In 2008 she finally returns with her first new album in 12 years ‘The smallest Act of Kindness’ in September 2008. On stage she’s supported by Jeff Aug (guitar), Niko Lai (drums & percussion), Murat Parlak, (piano), Jann Michael Engel (cello), Rainer von Vielen (effects), Xabec aka Manuel G. Richter (programming) and occasionally by Len Lemiere (vocals, electronics) and Jan d'Hooghe (drums & percussions). http://www.anneclark.de/ / http://www.myspace.com/anneclark
Music & Performance
It was really a pity that ANNE CLARK and her band had to perform so late on Sunday night - after three long and demanding festival days many people had already left, especially as not everyone was able to take a day off from work or university on Monday. But all those who missed the gig by ANNE CLARK truly missed something! With a total of eight musicians on stage, ANNE CLARK and her ensemble performed with musical perfection. They performed a mix of new(er) songs and old songs in a new disguise, like a haunting slow version of the classic ‘Sleeper in Metropolis’. Although ANNE CLARK looked a little disappointed about the low number of people present (at least for a headlining act) she enjoyed performing as much as her multitudinous band. The sound was a mix of electronics and acoustic instruments, and all songs were presented in different versions compared to their studio versions.
Old songs like ‘Counter Act’ or the above mentioned ‘Sleeper in Metropolis’ would get a heavy treatment, and ANNE CLARK and her band also presented a few lesser known tracks as well as new material from their forthcoming album ‘The Smallest Acts of Kindness’. For one song ANNE CLARK left the stage to leave vocal duties to Len Lemiere, who did the lead vocals in a rather Rap kind of style, which left some fans a bit puzzled. Fans who had hoped for some kind of “old school sound” set might have been a little disappointed but I simply enjoyed the musical perfection of these slick and highly professional performers. With the mostly rather atmospheric sound it was a perfect finish of a very long weekend, and all those who waited for the one big hit by ANNE CLARK were rewarded at the end of the encore – ‘Our Darkness’, unquestionably ANNE CLARK’s biggest hit, was simply a must and many people rushed from the back to the front to dance one last time to great live music in front of the stage. Superb!
Rating
Music: 9
Performance: 9
Sound: 9
Light: 8
Total: 9.9
The Gothic Festival 2008 is history now, and because of the many festivals this summer it took a while until we finally could finish our complete review on this great festival in Waregem, Belgium. But this has at least the advantage that we can compare the Gothic Festival to the other festivals of the dark scene the Reflections Of Darkness team attended this summer - the Blackfield Festival in Gelsenkirchen, Cologne’s Amphi open air, and of course the M’era Luna in Hildesheim. All of them were great for their own reasons but all in all the Gothic Festival was the best out of these four. That the Gothic Festival was indoors had its advantages - it gives even the very first gigs of a day a more intimate feel. The line-up was again very carefully chosen and shows for a love for this music scene. In Waregem we did not just get the obvious names but also some rather obscure or unknown ones, and there were also some encounters with old heroes which seemed to be lost and forgotten.
From a personal point of view the favourite performances at the Gothic Festival 2008 were FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM, PRESSURE CONTROL, JESUS & THE GURUS, ANNE CLARK, NEON JUDGEMENT, GARDEN OF DELIGHT, CLAN OF XYMOX, VNV NATION and the amazing LES TAMBOURS DU BRONX. Alone the booking of the latter one shows that this festival is not a cash-in by a commercial agency but a festival organized by people who simply love this scene. Nevertheless the organization was professional and there are only minor complaints. Next time there should be more seats inside the Expo Hall and not only outside at the beer tent. Three days in a row can be pretty exhausting, even though they were filled with great music all the time, including the excellent after-show parties at the club stage each night. All in all a brilliant festival with a great atmosphere and people form all around Europe - so see you in Waregem at the Gothic Festival 2009! We’ll be definitely back again!
Written by: overall editor Daniela Vorndran [DV], all band intros by Sebastian Huhn, J. “Niggels” Uhlenbruch [JU] and Peter Smets [PS]
All pictures by Daniela Vorndran (http://www.vorndranphotography.com/ / http://www.black-cat-net.de/ / www.myspace.com/vorndranphotography
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