2010 is going to be the big year of the premieres! Beside the Spring Ball Festival, the first ever E-tropolis Open Air and the newly added Christmas Ball Festival in Berlin, we are now going full circle, completing the seasons with a brand new festival highlight in autumn: THE AUTUMN BALL FESTIVAL 2010.

A storm is coming! – 22. October 2010 – The Autumn Ball Festival 2010

As the wind sings its song, driving the autumn leaves off the trees, a new musical blockbuster event is coming for you at the Capitol Hannover. In tone with the season, the AUTUMN BALL FESTIVAL 2010 on 22. October 2010 is literally up to blow your mind with the perfect line-up for a stormy autumn night.

Together with the electro rockers from Wolfsburg, OOMPH!, who have signed in as headliners, playing one of their few live shows in Germany 2010, none less than the “devil” himself announced his appearance, just about to twist you around with his irresistible TANZWUT. Ideal for an evening with red wine and candle light, QNTAL are adding an extra amount of dark mediaeval romanticism, garnished with moody and mystical electronica, while STAUBKIND from Berlin open the circle, sending a fresh breeze of gothic rock through the Capitol. Together with a big aftershow party, one additional band will round up this rousing ball night in Hannover.

The doors of the AUTUMN BALL FESTIVAL 2010 will open at 19:00 o’ clock. The event itself begins at 20:00 o’clock.

As you don´t know different from us, we kept a watchful eye on offering you a top line-up for a fair price. Therefor AUTUMN BALL FESTIVAL 2010 tickets are on pre-sale now for 26,00 € plus charges. Tickets can be obtained online at the official Amphi-Shop https://ssl.webpack.de/synotec-newmedia.de/amphishop/welcome.html and www.dark-ticket.de, by phone on +49 (0)1805- 568200 (14 cent/min. from the German fixed network), as well as on all nationwide CTS/EVENTIM, Ticketmaster and Ticket-Online box offices.

Further Info about the AUTUMN BALL FESTIVAL 2010 is available on www.autumnball.de or http://www.protain.de/deutsch/festivals.html.

Best regards,
Your protain Team

FACTS:

22.10.2010 – The Autumn Ball Festival 2010 – Hannover, Capitol

Programme:  Oomph! – Tanzwut – Qntal – Staubkind – +1 weitere Band

Doors open:  19:00 o’clock                        Begin:            20:00 o’clock

Tickets:          26,00 € plus charges / Evening box office: increased price

Ticketorder:   https://ssl.webpack.de/synotec-newmedia.de/amphishop/welcome.html and www.dark-ticket.de, by phone on +49 (0)1805- 568200 (14 cent/min. from the German fixed network), as well as on all nationwide CTS/EVENTIM, Ticketmaster and Ticket-Online box offices.

sursa: kogaionon

KOGAIONON & DONISART va anunta ca, in acest an, Craciunul vine mai devreme!

O noua Seara Speciala, de data aceasta una inedita, ce va oferi celui interesat posibilitatea sa petreaca o noapte intreaga alaturi de trupele preferate:

SPIRITUAL FRONT, ORDO ROSARIUS EQUILIBRIO, ROME, CASCADEUR, TRIARII, :OF THE WAND & THE MOON: si TriORE!

Primele patru trupe au cantat pentru prima data in Romania anul trecut, dar in evenimente distincte:

http://www.kogaionon.com/video/kogaionon_donisart_events_rome-spiritual_front.html

http://www.kogaionon.com/video/kogaionon_donisart_events_ordo-rosarius-equilibrio.html

Atat muzicienii cat si publicul participant au fost incantati de experientele din Brasov, solicitarile fanilor fiind ca Simone/SF sa cante impreuna cu Tomas/ORE piesele lor remarcabile de pe albumul “Satyriasis”. Iata ca acest lucru va deveni posibil in seara de 12 decembrie 2009!

SPIRITUAL FRONT ne va prezenta acum si noua compozitie, care este cea mai Rock & Suicide Pop dintre toate, intitulata “Rotten Roma Casino”! Simone isi doreste chiar ca lansarea acestui album sa fie facuta cu aceasta ocazie! www.myspace.com/spiritualfront

Tomas va imparti de data aceasta microfonul cu Rose Marie si ne vor canta in formula completa ORDO ROSARIUS EQUILIBRIO piese atat de pe albumele existente cat si de pe noul material, “Songs For Hate And Devotion”, care va aparea in 2010. www.myspace.com/ordorosariusequilibrio

Colaborarea lui Tomas cu mastermind-ul TRIARII, Christian, a dus la realizarea superbei piese “Roses 4 Rome”, aparuta pe cel de-al doilea album al berlinezului. Intre timp a aparut si mica bijuterie “Muse In Arms”, primita excelent atat de presa cat si de public.

Cei trei germani vin sa ne prezinte un Martial Industrial bombastic, respectat si admirat de adevaratii fani Ambient. www.myspace.com/triariiheadquarters

Iar ca surpriza sa fie totala, Christian si Tomas au infiintat un nou proiect muzical, intitulat TriORE, ce mixeaza Apocalyptic-ul Pop din ORE cu Martial Ambient-ul din TRIARII.

Danezul Kim Larsen este recunoscut din lunga lui activitate cu trupa :OF THE WAND & THE MOON: dar si din proiectul THE LOVELESS… iar prietenia lui cu Simone si Tomas este cunoscuta in intreaga scena NeoFolk, concretizata mai nou si in piese comune, in premiera pe scena acum. Chiar in aceasta perioada Kim si-a lansat la renumitul label german TESCO un nou album :OTW&TM:, intitulat “Solanaceana”. La Bucuresti ne va prezenta in varianta solo acustica cele mai reprezentative compozitii Experimental Folk ale lui. www.myspace.com/ofthewandandthemoon

Jerome & Patrick revin in Romania pentru ca au sa ne prezinte o noua imagine ROME, dar si datorita faptului ca s-au simtit foarte bine anul trecut in orasul de la Poalele Tampei. Cel mai important aspect este insa faptul ca, in aceasta vara, vor lansa un nou album, “Flowers From Exile”, un album Dark Pop NeoFolk exceptional, cu radacini vizibile in vechiul LEONARD COHEN, TOM WAITS sau JOHNNY CASH. Ca o avanpremiera, trupetii au lansat acum un MCD in editie limitata, cu o piesa noua ambientala remarcabila, alaturi de alte 3 pline de ritm si melodie. www.myspace.com/romecmi

Membrul trupei ORE in varianta scenica, Axel, ne va prezenta in aceasta iarna noi piese CASCADEUR, in aceeasi maniera Apocalyptic NeoFolk originala.

Kogaionon & DonisArt au hotarat sa organizeze pentru prima data o Seara Speciala in Bucuresti iar Dark Bombastic Evening se doreste a fi cel mai complex eveniment dintre toate cele 6 sustinute pana acum dar si cel mai important din intreaga Europa de Est, din aceasta bransa!

HALA DE MUZICA este o locatie moderna, eleganta, cu o acustica remarcabila, care ofera posibilitatea publicului sa petreaca comfortabil si decent o noapte intreaga impreuna cu trupetii dar si cu prietenii.

Va fi o seara aparte, cu artisti din Suedia, Luxemburg, Germania, Italia, Danemarca, cu circa 7 ore de muzica, cu proiectii specifice, cu standuri de accesorii muzicale, cu fani Goth, Dark, Ambient, Metal, NeoFolk, Ambient, Ethereal, Industrial, Pop, Rock din mai multe tari… si, nu in ultimul rand, cu ATMOSFERA DIN PLIN!

Se pot face si rezervari pentru bilete pe adresa kogaiononmagazine@gmail.com pana la data de 15 septembrie, cei ce vor primi confirmare pe email de la Kogaionon putand chiar beneficia de anumite premii, inclusiv facilitatea de a avea acces in backstage pentru a sta de vorba cu trupetii. Lista de rezervari va fi limitata iar cel confirmat va achita contravaloarea biletului in seara concertului, la intrare fiind afisata o “Lista de rezervari”.

Va asteptam!

Eveniment: Dark Bombastic Evening

Organizatori: Kogaionon si DonisArt, www.kogaionon.com, www.donisart.ro

Locatie: Hala de Muzica, Str. Mihai Bravu 475, Bucuresti, www.halademuzica.ro

Orele: 19.00

Bilete: Magazinele Diverta, www.ticketpoint.ro, Titus (Bestial), www.beautyofpain.ro

Pret bilet: 85 lei

Alte detalii/Contact: kogaiononmagazine@gmail.com.

ECHOES FROM TRANSCEDENCE EVENING

DORDEDUH semnifica trupa ce a rezultat in urma plecarii lui Hupogrammos si a lui Sol Faur din NEGURA BUNGET. Cei doi muzicieni au decis sa-si continue activitatea sub aceasta denumire, duetul avand parte, atat in studio cat si pe scena, de ajutorul unor muzicieni profesionisti, cu care vor termina de inregistrat curand primul material. In componenta lor se afla in acest moment: Sergio Ponti la tobe si percutii (tobar de studio si profesor de tobe, cunoscut pentru aparitia in show-ul de reuniune Jethro Tull, dar si pentru diferitele sale colaborari cu muzicieni din Whitesnake, Rainbow, Sabbat, Ephel Duath, Illogicist…), Jorg Heemann / Thelemnar la percutii (Secrets of the Moon, The Vision Bleak) si Michael Zech / Arioch la bass (Odem Arcarum, Secrets of the Moon).

Soundul DORDEDUH este unul extrem de complex, cu radacini in Black Metal, dar si Folk sau Ambient. Veti auzi pe langa chitari, tobe, percutii, voci diverse si tot felul de instrumente traditionale, pasaje multiple si multe ruperi de ritm.

Desi trupa nu are decat cateva luni de la infiintare, foarte multe labeluri au fost interesate in a colabora cu ea iar interesul fanilor, atat din Romania cat si din afara tarii, intr-un prim posibil concert, a fost si continua sa fie subiect de dezbatere pe multe forumuri.

Hupogrammos si Sol Faur au hotarat ca prima aparitie in fata publicului sa fie facuta printr-o Seara Speciala, una care sa dezvaluie corect si multidimensional identitatea DORDEDUH, atat ca muzica si mesaj, cat si ca instrumente si implicit formula scenica completa!

Evenimentul va avea o dinamica aparte deoarece grupul ce va urca pe scena inainte de DORDEDUH va fi THY VEILS, un proiect timisorean foarte cunoscut de presa de specialitate. Daniel Dorobantu este, poate, cel mai vechi artist roman din scena Dark Ambient iar proiectele lui muzicale au starnit intotdeauna curiozitatea celor mai avantgardisti ascultatori de faze ciudate.

Seara de 24 ianuarie va fi una cu totul speciala, deoarece asocierea scenica a doua trupe complet diferite ca stil muzical ne va contura, in cele din urma, imaginea unui spectacol complex  aparte, conceput exclusiv pentru o audienta ce e deschisa la nou, insa cu imense radacini in tot ceea ce e clasic si traditional. Va fi o seara rarisima deoarece probabilitatea de a se repeta experienta din 24 ianuarie este practic nula!
Dupa orele 19.00, cele cca 3 ore de muzica si imagini vor invalui intr-o atmosfera conceptuala intreaga sala The Silver Church, Bucuresti, Calea Plevnei Nr.61, spectatorul avand oportunitatea de a transcede in propriul univers interior, datorita prestatiilor scenice ale celor doua trupe.

Pretul unui bilet este de 40 lei si se va putea cumpara din Reteaua Diverta,  www.ticketpoint.ro, www.letsrock.ro/bestial (Titus), www.beautyofpain.ro sau la intrare, in seara evenimentului.

Va asteptam!

Informatii despre trupe:

www.dordeduh.com

www.thyveils.com

…underground will never die!

www.kogaionon.com

www.donisart.ro

Octombrie, 2009

Pentru prima data in istoria evenimentelor Kogaionon & DonisArt, organizatorii incearca sa promoveze un nou concept, Seara Speciala sa fie acum alcatuita din doua parti distincte, obiectivul final fiind cel de a creiona complet imaginea trupei favorite, prin doua concerte consecutive in doua zile, diferite atat ca forma cat si ca fond. De aceea si  ELITE DARK METAL EVENING va fi structurata in doua parti…

Una dintre cele mai respectate, apreciate si longevive trupe din intreaga scena Dark Metal americana este, incontestabil, AGALLOCH. A inceput sa cante la putin dupa ce trupe ca PARADISE LOST, ANATHEMA, MY DYING BRIDE, IN THE WOODS… loveau scena Metal cu debuturi remarcabile. Cu un statut mai degraba Cult decat Underground, fiind prima trupa de pe acest continent ce a promovat Dark Metal-ul, cvartetul de pe coasta de nord-vest nu cauta prea des oportunitati de a canta live, din mai multe considerente, insa, de fiecare data cand o face, audienta ramane ravasita de prestatia scenica! Anul acesta a sustinut un turneu de doar cateva concerte in Europa, alaturi de DORNENREICH, turneu in urma caruia trupa si-a castigat un numar important de noi fani, pe cei vechi lasandu-i fara cuvinte! AGALLOCH continua sa ramana una dintre cele mai interesante trupe Metal de pe mapamond, cu o abordare originala, tehnicitate remarcabila si un mod de exprimare muzical selectiv, ignorand total cantitatea in favoarea calitatii…

Istoria discografica a trupei este destul de limitata in ciuda celor 13 ani de activitate, in sensul ca pana astazi au doar 3 albume de studio si mai multe EP-uri plus MCD-uri. “Pale Folklore” (1999), “The Mantle” (2002) si “Ashes Against The Grain” (2006) sunt bijuteriile Metal scoase la cunoscutul label american The End Records, albume de referinta pentru orice iubitor de acorduri Metal avantgardistice: de la Progressive Black si Atmospheric Doom Death Metal pana la Experimental, Post Rock, Folk, Ambient sau Industrial, cu multe treceri Wave, dominate de o aura Dark epica melancolica desavarsita. Cu radacini din ULVER, SWANS, SOL INVICTUS, IN THE WOODS…, BATHORY, FORGOTTEN WOODS, DARK THRONE, BURZUM, KATATONIA, GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR sau EMPYRIUM, AGALLOCH a devenit astazi o trupa de inspiratie pentru noul val de proiecte Black Metal, FEN sau WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM putand fi doar doua exemple.

John Haughm (g,v), Don Anderson (g), Jason Walton (b) si Aesop (dr) sunt incantati sa vina pentru prima data in Europa de Est, acestia urmand sa zboare cateva mii de km doar pentru a canta si vizita Romania. Ei vor sustine doua concerte diferite, atat ca lungime cat si ca structura conceptuala, in cele doua parti, astfel:

- BRASOV, Sambata, 20 MARTIE 2010, Centrul Cultural REDUTA, orele 19.00 (Part I)

- BUCURESTI, Duminica, 21 MARTIE 2010, THE SILVER CHURCH, orele 19.00 (Part II)

Seara de 20 martie din Brasov va fi dedicata exclusiv trupei AGALLOCH printr-un concert UNICAT in istoria trupei, de peste 2 ore, in care cei patru ne vor arata diferenta clara dintre un concert clasic AGALLOCH si unul SPECIAL, datorita faptului ca vor canta, pe langa cele mai reprezentative secvente din intreaga discografie, si noi piese, in premiera, la care acum lucreaza, dar si datorita videoproiectiilor selecte, plus diverse ritualuri ce au legatura cu semantica termenului agalloch… Data nu a fost aleasa intamplator, daca tinem cont ca 20 martie coincide cu echinoctiul de primavara, deci va fi o seara cu totul speciala si pentru membrii trupei.. va fi si seara fanilor AGALLOCH, ce va avea loc intr-o locatie eleganta, confortabila, cu o sonorizare si acustica foarta buna, o locatie perfecta pentru a rezona cu atmosfera si conceptul AGALLOCH!

A doua zi, in Bucuresti, trupa AGALLOCH va sustine un concert de cca 70 de minute, un concert clasic Metal pentru ea, asemanator cu ceea ce a cantat si in turneul european din acest an.

In deschidere, va urca pe scena o trupa respectata de multi fani al noului val Black Shoegaze Metal, dar care nu a fost vazuta pe scena pana in acest moment, intitulata ALCEST. Primul album, realizat in 2007 si intitulat “Souvenirs d’un Autre Monde”, a aratat un nou mod de exprimare in scena Metal, original si controversat datorita mixului de sunet Cold Raw Black Metal cu acorduri melancolice, nostalgice, foarte melodioase dar si elemente vizibile Shoegaze. Liderul trupei, Neige (MORTIFERA, AMESOEURS, FORGOTTEN WOODS, PESTE NOIR, PHEST, LANTLOS, VALFUNDE), este unul dintre cei mai activi muzicieni din underground-ul Metal francez, care a schimbat complet orientarea acestui grup, initial un trio adept al unui Raw Black Metal agresiv, apoi ca proiect solo, promotor al unui sunet Cold Melancholic Black Metal si realizatorul unui EP excelent, “Le Secret”.  Albumul din 2007 ne prezinta un sound modern, avand la baza un Dark Black Metal ritmat, melancolic, plin de nostalgie, cu elemente Shoegaze, Post Rock, dar si cu o voce masculina extrem de calda, intrerupta de cateva pasaje cu voce feminina. Dupa 10 ani de la infiintare, ALCEST a devenit un nume foarte apreciat de fanii Metal-lui nonconformist, nume care reuseste sa-si contureze un stil propriu, foarte inteligent structurat, care penduleaza intre SIGUR ROS si SHINING si care a devenit reper pentru zeci de trupe noi ce au creat deja un nou curent avantagardist, mai melodic, mai ritmat, dar cu accent pe teme ca melancolie, nostalgie, romantism, disperare, singuratate! Cel de-al doilea album ALCEST a fost terminat zilele acestea si va aparea oficial la inceputul lui 2010 la Prophecy Productions, Neige urmand sa vina la Bucuresti impreuna cu alti trei muzicieni pentru a-si promova noile piese.

Asocierea AGALLOCH cu ALCEST nu este intamplatoare si probabil ca cei ce stiu ce canta acesti muzicieni cunosc mult mai multe detalii… De asemenea si sala The Silver Church este una eleganta iar trupele vor beneficia si aici de o acustica impecabila!

Elite Dark Metal Evening (part I&II) se adreseaza celor ce apreciaza aceste trupe, trupe care vin special la Brasov si Bucuresti pentru cei ce respecta si doresc sa mentina spiritul underground Metal pur! In acest sens si trupele vor aduce cu ele diverse accesorii muzicale originale, unele in editie limitata, altele facute exclusiv pentru acest eveniment!

Pretul unui bilet este:

-30 lei pentru Brasov

-45 lei pentru Bucuresti

Acestea se pot cumpara din Reteaua Diverta,  www.ticketpoint.ro, www.letsrock.ro/bestial (Titus), www.beautyofpain.ro sau la intrare, in seara evenimentului.

Deoarece atat dorinta organizatorilor cat si a muzicienilor este ca o mare parte din audienta sa participe la ambele parti din Elite Dark Metal Evening (inclusiv membrii ALCEST vor fi prezenti in sala Reduta din Brasov), se ofera oportunitatea de a achizitiona abonament la pret special, de 60 lei, suma ce va fi platita la intrare in Sala Reduta (Brasov), in seara de 20 martie. Doar de acolo se vor putea achizitiona aceste abonamente sau se pot face si rezervari la adresa de email: kogaiononmagazine@gmail.com.

Informatii, video oficial AGALLOCH gasiti mai jos:

www.agalloch.org

www.myspace.com/agalloch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYMaIzFq1Iw

Informatii ALCEST:

www.alcest-music.com

www.myspace.com/alcestmusic

…underground will never die!

www.kogaionon.com

www.donisart.ro

Octombrie, 2009

În urma cu un an, Negru, bateristul trupei timişorene Black Metal NEGURA BUNGET, anunţa înfiinţarea unui proiect experimental denumit DIN BRAD. Abordarea stilistică este mai greu de descris deoarece muzica lui Negru nu se încadrează în clişeele clasice, ci mai degrabă mixează şi re-interpretează într-un mod personal influenţe tradiţionale romaneşti, atât muzicale cât şi spirituale. Este un concept deosebit, ce se bazează pe virtuozitate, trăire şi atmosferă, dar şi pe vizual, imagistica  şi simbolistica având rolul lor bine definit.

Deoarece în primăvara viitoare label-ul german Prophecy Productions / Auerbach Tonträger va edita primul album DIN BRAD, intitulat „Dor”, trupa s-a decis să-şi lanseze oficial aceste compoziţii printr-o Seară Specială în Brasov, în selecta sala de teatru Reduta.

Similitudini conceptuale muzicale cu DIN BRAD se găsesc şi în IRFAN, o trupă genială care, în doar 8 ani de existenta, a reuşit să realizeze doua albume deosebite (”Irfan”, 2003 şi “Seraphim”, 2007), să concerteze în peste 20 de tari şi să fie catalogată ca replica perfectă la DEAD CAN DANCE. Muzicienii bulgari (KAYNO YESNO SLONCE, OM, ZARATHUSTRA) au cântat la toate festivalurile importante din Europa iar de câteva luni au început să lucreze la un nou material, ce se doreşte a fi gata până în vara următoare. IRFAN cânta acum în formula completă, vocalista Denitza Seraphimova întorcându-se în trupa după o pauză de 3 ani, noile compoziţii având o dinamica incredibila. Cu influente orientale, bizantine, persane, indiene dar şi din timpurile medievale ale Europei occidentale sau reverberaţiile balcanice, IRFAN degaja o aura Ethereal Wave incredibilă pe scenă, sacralitatea muzicală rezultată aruncându-ne uşor în atmosfera creată de Lisa Gerrard & Brendan Perry!!! Voci feminine năucitoare, coruri bărbăteşti cu atingeri religioase, instrumente tradiţionale multiple, percuţie fascinanta… totul suna mistic!

Traditional Soundscapes Evening îşi propune să promoveze o alta abordare a muzicii underground de calitate, fără bariere stilistice sau doctrinare, invitând în seara de 17 aprilie, dupa orele 19.00, la Brasov, pe toţi cei ce vor să vadă şi altceva: de la DEAD CAND DANCE, ARCANA, RAJNA, ATARAXIA, FAUN, QNTAL sau Loreena McKennitt şi pana la TENHI, NEUN WELTEN, ORPLID sau HEKATE…

Pretul unui bilet este de 40 lei.

Acestea se pot cumpara din Reteaua Diverta,  www.ticketpoint.ro, www.letsrock.ro/bestial (Titus), www.beautyofpain.ro sau la intrare, in seara evenimentului.

Informaţii găsiţi mai jos:

www.myspace.com/dinbrad

www.myspace.com/irfantheband

…underground will never die!

www.kogaionon.com

www.donisart.ro

Octombrie, 2009

On June 20 and 21, 2009 I had the immense pleasure to be a special guest of the Blackfield Festival, Germany. I represented www.darkwave.ro, one of the online webzines dedicated to the fans of dark music in Romania. For more info on the festival, please access http://www.blackfield-festival.de/ and definitely book your tickets in advance to go to the next one in June 2010!

Photo Gallery here.

I was sort of prepared for what a German electro/dark/Goth festival has to offer after going to the Wave Gotik Treffen. I knew what to expect, I knew that Germans are wonderful people and that it would be easy to find my way around. And definitely have a lot of fun and take millions of pictures. Special thanks to Peddy Sadighi for inviting me. Congratulations for a perfectly organized second edition of the Blackfield Festival. The bands’ performances were something to remember for the rest of my life. The performances were energetic and 100% professional.

The atmosphere and location

Absolutely amazing! I felt goose bumps for HOURS on end both at the actual festival and the warm up party. More information on the actual performances of the bands is available on www.reflectionsofdarkness.com.

The music of the 25+ bands was something I cannot describe in regular words. I guess the closest words to describe the concerts would be: uplifting, aggressive, exciting, intriguing, military march-like, loud, instigating, energetic, special as in closer to senses and mind than other types of music performances. Each band performed for about 45-60 minutes. No more than 15 minutes were needed to change the sets between the performances.

The location is a large amphitheater with thousands of seats, with a perfect view from every side. The stage is covered with a large tent like roof, and the Rhine flows right behind the stage. The photos taken from the upper side of the amphitheater are, thus, absolutely spectacular.

The audience

I was very impressed by the audience, who just kept dancing for 2 days! 12 hours a day, thousands of people enjoyed every band and every song. I am one of the lucky people who have had the chance to see many live concerts in my life, and I strongly believe that live concerts are one of the best experiences in someone’s life. Well, the Blackfieldiens are something special! The energy, enthusiasm, openness and obviously excellent physical shape (it’s not easy to dance 12 hours, dressed in black, with a lot of accessories and usually wearing 5 kilo black boots in summer!) are the things I’ll never forget. I guess the proximity of shops, kiosks and actual stage, as well as the excellent organization of the festival made things easy. The food court, shops and stage were close and everything was at hand. You could even buy cigarettes from paddlers.

The participants were devoted fans of the industrial/electro/dark/goth music and fashion. One observation though. At WGT I must admit that the participants were more oriented towards the “Gothic fashion” than at Blackfield. Here I noticed more official band T-shirts than in Leipzig. The most popular T-shirts were Front 242, VNV Nation Project Pitchfork, Santa Hates You, Apoptygma Berzerk, End of Green, Solitary Experiments, Rotersand, Frozen Plasma, Depeche Mode (:X), and, last but not least, the official Blackfield Festival T-shirt. While at WGT I was impressed by the incredible Gothic outfits, at Blackfield I was more impressed by the dancing and industrial atmosphere.

The CD’s for sale

A wonderful surprise for the German bands (I bet!), and at the same time a slight personal disappointment was the fact that I had to literally hunt down the newly released albums of VNV Nation, Diary of Dreams, Project Pitchfork, the solo album of Felix Marc (Frozen Plasma) and some other new releases. I talked to the vendors and they said that the stock of CD’s would be sold in minutes… Good for the Germans! In the end, I came home with Project Pitchfork and Felix Marc (thank God). I was lucky enough to be there when they still had a few copies. I guess it is a matter of both money and music related buying habits.

WGT 2009 – GENERAL INFORMATION

WAVE GOTIK TREFFEN (18^th edition), the largest alternative festival in the world, took place between May 29 and June 01, 2009 in Leipzig, Germany. Check out the WGT Website for full details.

For many years the Treffen was celebrated as the largest gathering of the “dark family” in the world. All over the city more than 190 bands, projects and single artists performed on about 20 stages. The events took place for instance in the vaults of the Moritzbastei, in the splendid neoantique cupola hall of the Volkspalast, in the crypt of the Völkerschlachtdenkmal, a famous monument of the battle of 1813, as well as in large concert halls. The people from Leipzig are familiar with the Treffen after 17 years – the Gothic guests are welcome.

WGT (LEIPZIG) ATMOSPHERE

I will write more about what I felt and understood from my trip to Germany, and less about the live concerts I attended. Too overwhelming the feeling of seeing Melotron live (again) was, so I will just mention a few things instead of thoroughly reviewing the concerts. I took pics though, and the most impressive will follow my text.

The most fascinating thing during the Wave Gotik Treffen is the unique atmosphere that covers the whole city. Once a year about twenty thousand Gothics come home: to the Wave Gotik Treffen. Gothic fans from all over the world gather in Eastern Germany, turning Leipzig into a black celebration. I cannot describe the feeling one has when in the street, walking in Leipzig – the huge building city with an industrial atmosphere so suited for the Gotik Treffen. You see the straight, striking, perfect figures of people dressed in either black or very fluorescent green or pink. Most of the participants wear black, only silver jewelry and a lot off accessories. Women wear very high heeled shoes and somehow manage to wear them with such elegance that you may just die of envy…The photos of Gothic fans are a far better proof, and although I would love to put all my admiration for these special people in my description, words are far behind.

The experiences you have in a life time are the source of either fast or slow paced learning. In my case, the Wave Gotik Treffen experience was fast, enriching and rewarding. I had the chance to better understand why Romania is still a country under development (to put it mildly) and how far behind we are in terms of respect for others and joy of living.

WGT ORGANIZATION

The first thing that comes to my mind and definitely worth mentioning is the exquisite organization of the WGT. Mr. Cornelius Brach was of great assistance preparing the photo passes for the Romanian group for the 4 festival days. The pass allows a journalist to easily access the concert venues and take photos of any band during the first 3 songs of each live concert. Filming is totally forbidden, and still the security staff are very respectful when they tell you to stop filming. I own a nice Nikon D90 and I thought I could also film a little. Not a chance.

GERMAN HOSPITALITY

Now, from the way people were directing us to the ticket point and parking lot, the way they were showing everybody around to the way everyone sits in line and waits (for food, beer, tickets or just to get into the concert halls) I was totally impressed with the Germans. They all seem to calculate way in advance how to organize their time and energy in order to find the best and fastest solutions to everything. As I was walking around in the Agra and Kohlrabizircus, I noticed that people don’t bump into each other, that there is always space between you and everyone else, and that if you need help, there is always somebody there to assist you. German Gothic fans are nice and they like showing hospitality.

PARTICIPANTS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES

It was a very nice surprise to hear French, Spanish, Romanian and English spoken at the WGT, apart from German that seems to be a must have prerequisite at a Gothic festival. I have to admit though, that when it comes to the individuals at the WGT it is very hard to tell who is from where, as everyone is just dressed up head to toes, acts accordingly and speaks as they were part of a theater play.

MAPS AND DIRECTIONS

We couldn’t find a detailed map of Leipzig covering the WGT, not even at the Agra area (at least for the market, food courts, camping and main concert venues that lie here). I got my hands on a map, but it was not detailed enough. The schedule printed on the back, though, (including the start and end times of each band’s performance) was very detailed. But, hey, who needs a map? Once you plan to attend the WGT you should also plan on getting information from very nice people. Leipzig is a very friendly town, with large streets and buildings that you can easily recognize and use as future reference.

AGRA

The Agra area is a huge, clean and well organized festival space, including numberless music arenas and smaller halls, discos, food (German bratwurst for 2,50-3,50 Eur), drinks, parking (15 Eur/day). I figured out on the second day spent in the Agra that a glass of juice does not cost 4 Euro. Literally the glass costs 2 Euro and the drink inside another 2 Euro. Once you are done with the liquid in the glass, you can go back to the counter and they give you the 2 Euro back in exchange of the glass. Of course, there were no glasses, tissues or any other leftovers from everybody’s dinner on the ground. It seems that people in Germany have more trash cans than we do ;). A festival ticket to the WGT (including any concert you may want to attend in any arena of hall in Leipzig – 190 bands plus) costs 60 Eur in presale and 80 Eur if you purchase it at the ticket desk.

MELOTRON AT THE WGT 2009

After a high quality lineup among which Minerve, Frozen Plasma and Solitary Experiments, the last band that we saw on May 31 in Kohlrabicircus was Melotron. As we also had the pleasure to see Melotron live in Bucharest in Spice Club on January 24, 2009 it was a real pleasure to see them again. Andy, Edgar and Hilde were dressed in red and white as usual, and managed to keep the thousands of people who came to see them happy. The setlist was made up of their most popular songs and I have to confess that I could sing along without a problem! No, I don’t speak German, but Melotron’s music sinks in so smoothly that I started learning the lyrics in no time.

Setlist:

1. Auferstehung
2. Das Herz
3. Gib mir alles
4. Arroganz der Liebe
5. New Song
6. Menschenfresser
7. Maschinen aus Stahl
8. Der Anfang
9. Tanz mit dem Teufel
10. Nur Leben
11. Liebe ist Notwehr
12. Wohin
13. Kein Problem
14. Brüder
15. Wünsch mich nicht zurück

I am definitely going to attend the WGT every year.

Associated galleries: Participants * Solitary Experiments * Melotron * Frozen Plasma

Source: Viva Music

Festivalul M’ERA LUNA este o institutie in adevaratul sens al cuvantului pentru scena Darkwave si Gothic, atragand peste 25000 fani anual la Hidlesheim. Pe 8 si 9 august 2009, aeroportul Hildesheim-Drispenstedt va fi din nou transformat intr-un urias catwalk pentru costumatii de catifea si matase si machiaje extravagante pe scena si chiar si in afara ei. Informatii suplimentare despre formatiile participante si despre festival le gasiti pe site-ul dedicat evenimentului pe www.meraluna.de.

Acestea sunt formatiile deja confirmate la festival:

THE PRODIGY * NIGHTWISH

APOCALYPTICA * Subway to Sally * PETER Heppner * Veljanov

The Crüxshadows * Oomph! * Die Apokalyptischen Reiter * Die Form * Zeraphine * Emilie Autumn * Letzte Instanz* Untoten * Schelmish * Zeromancer * [:SITD:] * Grendel * Star Industry * Spetsnaz * Ashbury Heights * Whispers in the Shadow * Frozen Plasma *  Tyske Ludder * Mina Harker

Biletele sunt deja in vanzare. Biletul valabil pentru doua zile inclusiv accesul in zona de camping costa 74 euro si include o taxa de 5 euro pentru ecologizare, pe care o poti primi inapoi dupa ce faci dovada ca ai avut grija de deseurile pe care le-ai produs :) Biletele pot fi achizitionate de la toate centrele traditionale de vanzare de bilete, de pe site-urile  www.meraluna.de, www.eventim.de si chiar si prin hotline 0 180 5-853 653 (14 cents/min / pretul poate diferi in functie de operatorul de retea).

VNV NATION
ASP
DIARY OF DREAMS
PROJECT PITCHFORK
LETZTE INSTANZ
ZERAPHINE
FAUN
FROZEN PLASMA
DESTROID
STAUBKIND
END OF GREEN
DOPE STARS INC.
KLOQ

This is the line-up for the warm-up-party at the Matrix in Bochum at June, 19th, 2009:

SEABOUND
ABSURD MINDS
SOMAN

BLACKFIELD FESTIVAL ON MYSPACE

Darkwave/eletro/goth/industrial bands. 3 days. Germany.

Excellent organization!

Info for Romanians: cheap flights Buh – Koln (german wings – 147 Euro) – 19-22 june 2009.

Email me at viviana at vivamusic dot ro if you need any further information.

See you all there! Vivi