FORMS OF HANDS festival has become firmly established over the last twelve years assuring to showcase progressive electronic music with a major party element. Also, the concept did not need to be invented from scratch by the organiser. It still consists of 12 international top-acts – which all found their home on Dortmunder HANDS label – ranging from industrial over rhythm’n’noise to drum’n’bass and IDM, and framed by djs. What’s new is the location, Schachtanlage Königsborn III/IV in Bönen, which is perfectly tailored for industrial partying.
As headliner and co-headliner there were acts booked who have been shaping music- and festival-scene alike for years. On Friday MONO NO AWARE, one of the most important and most booked rhythm noise acts in the world will raise the roof of the historic mining tower – same as S.K.E.T. will before him with their impellent electro-industrial. As Saturday’s top-act 
NEEDLE SHARING could be won after years of stage-abstinence. The pioneer of industrial drum’n’bass has been on HANDS records since the early 90s, and will present his brilliant comeback album “Gang Bangs” of last year. Before him MS GENTUR – another HANDS veteran – will set off one of his rare yet definitely energetic rhythm noise performances. But the line of high quality live acts does not end here, promising a manifold blend. Be it 13THMONKEY who steadily excel with straight industrial techno, or 16PAD NOISE TERRORIST whose announced new album will stir up dark drum’n’bass and IDM for sure.
Beyond these, last years’ IDM climber NULLGRAD as well as GREYHOUND’s side project SYNTECH could be won, the latter having helped tribal industrial to a great rejuvenation with their current album. Over the years it has become a tradition held dearly to present new signings to HANDS on stage, too. This year it is striking that the first two acts of each day provide a pretty long band history and quite a few liveshows – distancing themselves clearly from the status of newcomers. This is true, for instance, for <1979> as well as DIRTY K from Great Britain, two absolutely club-compatible rhythm’n’noise acts displaying straight, danceable and fresh industrial. This is their similarity with SATURMZLIDE who had released on various labels, and now found his way to HANDS. And he has also been the crowdpleaser on various other events. Last but not least French project SYLVGHEIST MAËLSTRÖM which is currently nominated for Qwartz Music Award will enchant the audience with his set of IDM and well structured ambient.
FORMS OF HANDS 12 – Bönen, NRW –27. and 28. April 2012
MONO NO AWARE
- NEEDLE SHARING - MS GENTUR - S.K.E.T. - 13TH MONKEY –16PAD NOISE TERRORIST
- SYNTECH
- NULLGRAD - <1979>
DIRTY K
- SATURMZLIDE
- SYLVGHEIST MAËLSTRÖM
www.formsofhands.de
