DARKLIFE Online Journal

WGT 2009 Sun-Mon commentary [online V X.9]

Sun, 6 Jun 2010 22:27:54 +0100

Sunday 23 May 2009

The day started again with a trip to the city. Although it was Sunday, it was pretty crowded there. Gothic people and "normal" people were all over the city. It is really cool how nice and sweet all the elderly people react. I think they like the time of the Wave Gotik Treffen. There is a lot to see and the Gothic scene is always calm and friendly. There had never been some riots.

Me and three other friends went to the "Sixtina" to see the concert of a friend of us. The band is called TONAL y NAGUAL" and they mix classic electro and industrial elements with some parts of a saxophone. It was really really crowded in that small backyard. Sometimes I really think that the "Sixtina" should be a little bit bigger. But maybe that would destroy the whole atmosphere. For me it wasn't a big deal, but a friend of mine, she was wearing a hooped skirt and so she took space for three ;-)

After that concert we walked to the "Moritzbastei". The medieval market was pretty crowded, too. Like everything in the city this day. But crowded is good. Because I've got a feeling that there haven't been so many people like last year. But maybe this was just a assumption, because the festival is so big and there are so many places where you can go. So the people are spread all over the town. For example: The inside of the "AGRA" wasn't very full, but outside were a lot of people, sitting in the sun. And I am pretty sure, that many has been in the "Heidnisches Dorf" which is like a big medival market. I haven't been there this year, because from the "AGRA" it's always a very long way, if you can't walk over the camping ground. So we skipped that this year. What a pity, they have the best food there ;-) Next year I wanna go there again. That's for sure!

When we headed back to the car, I found an ice cream parlour which sold black absinthe ice cream. Of course I needed to try that. And it was delicious! Now we could drive to the "AGRA" to hang out there for a while until "THE LOVECRAVE" started with their show. I've seen them two years ago at the Amphi-Festival and the show still rocked! The female singer is a powerwoman and she has a great voice! She played a lot songs from the new album "Soul Saliva", like "Get Outta Here" and the Michael Jackson cover "Thriller". But of course some smashing hits like "Vampires". Great show!

Me and two other friends drove to the "Felsenkeller" to see THE DEEP EYNDE and THE KOFFIN KATS (yes!yes!yes!). I was positively surprised when I saw the location. I was afraid that the "Felsenkeller" (translated it would mean something like: basement made of rocks) is really a small basement, like a cave with no space and no oxygen. But no. It was a really cool location with some galleries from where you could see the stage.

THE DEEP EYNDE were really great, the singer jumped very often into the audience. And of course they played the song "Suicide Drive". For THE KOFFIN KATS I went into the first row. For years I wanted to see them so badly and now I had the chance to be in the first row. Of course I took that opportunity. They did such an awesome show. Full of energy! The singer was climbing on his stand up bass, changed the instruments with the guitarplayer and did a really good job! They played songs like "Chainsaw Massacre", "V8 Nightmare", "Splatterhouse" and "Buzzkillbitch". It was so much fun to see the guys from the other bands that had played before. They were sitting left and right on the stage and were fooling around. I loved that whole atmosphere!

Actually we wanted to see LACRIMOSA and ALIEN SEX FIEND in the "AGRA" after that show, but I was so tired and my feet hurt, that we decided to drive to our hotel. ALIEN SEX FIEND was really late. They should start about 1.30 am. For my opinion it is a little bit too late for a midnight special. However I was a wussy and wanted to go home.

Monday 24 May 2009

Noooooooooo, it was already the last day. Noooooo! Why is the time always passing by so fast at the Wave Gotik Treffen? I could remember when I said on Friday: "It will be Monday again, way too soon!" And this was so true. I always feel like I missed something, even if we did so many things. So it was the last day to enjoy in Leipzig. Make it count!

The morning was pretty rainy so we decided to wait a little longer than usual until we started our trip to the city. It wasn't so warm anymore and a bit cloudy. When my friend and I were sitting in a bagel restaurant it was getting really dark outside. I mean REALLY dark, like apocalyptic dark. I asked him: "Do you want to wait here? Or should we run to the car?" He was thinking for a few seconds and said: "We run to the car!" Okay, that was what we did. Just in time we arrived our car and then the cloud burst just started. I felt really sorry for all the people out there because it wasn't just raining, it was hailing. Poor people at the "Moritzbastei" and in the "Heidnisches Dorf", because there is not really a chance for taking cover.

When we arrived at the "AGRA" it almost stopped raining. The shopping hall was now pretty crowded with wet people, so the air wasn't so great there. But when the weather got better, lot of people went out again to enjoy the sunbeams which came through the clouds. It was time for saying goodbye. I drank my last honey wine at the "AGRA" hall and said goodbye to the friends I met there.

There were two more shows we wanted to see left and so we went to the "Kohlrabizirkus" for IN STRICT CONFIDENCE and THE KLINIK. We arrived early and saw the last songs of TRIAL. Wasn't really my kind of music, way too industrial and electro like. IN STRICT CONFIDENCE were a way nicer to look at. They had a pretty singer in a red latex dress and a very cool guitar player. When she wasn't playing the guitar she made an awesome fireshow on the stage. The last thress songs were the club hits "Herzattacke", "Zauberschloss" and "Engelsstaub". My friend was way more interested in THE KLINIK than me.

That evening it was really crowded in the location and the audience was in a great mood. Maybe it was just me, who was already pretty tired. To end that day we went again to the "Petite Absintherie" for a last glass of absinthe. And of course we bought some stuff like the Lehmann Mousse, new glasses and a spoon for our absinthe evenings at home.

It was such a wonderful festival! Of course there will be other great festivals like the "Amphi" or the "Mera Luna". But the Wave Gotik Treffen is always something special. And it will always be! See you all next year! I am already counting the days!

Sarah Marx
Photos © 2010 Michael Schmid (aka Therion)

WGT 2010 Fri-Sat commentary [online V X.9]

Fri, 4 Jun 2010 00:01:33 +0100

Like every year gothics and friends of the black scene from all over the world came to Leipzig on Whitsun to celebrate the 19th Wave Gotik Treffen (short WGT) from 21st until the 24th May. All along the WGT is the biggest gathering of the gothic scene. It is the biggest convention in this kind worldwide.

About 180 bands played in the whole city and presented their own variety: gothic, wave, metal, future-pop, ebm and medival sounds. The concerts and events happened at over 40 different places, all over the city. For example at the “Moritzbastei” in the center of the city, at the “Kohlrabizirkus”, the “Parkbüehne” (a stage in the middle of a park), at the “Krypta” of the “Voelkerschlachtdenkmal” and of course in the “AGRA”.

Friday 21 May 2010

How could a year pass by so quickly? And here we were again. At Leipzig ready for four great days! It is the highlight of the year. To be honest, this year it wasn't really spectacular, but it was so much fun and so great, that I won't miss a second. I couldn't imagine a year without visiting the Wave Gotik Treffen. It was my 9th WGT and I'm pretty sure that it won't be the last.

On friday I was really excited and I couldn't wait to get into the city to the “Sixtina” for the first absinthe of the WGT this year. It felt so good to be back. The weather was great. And although the weather service told the weather would be cold and rainy, we had sun! Lot of sun! Awesome! Don't think that gothic people don't like sun. If I speak for me: I love the sun. It's way more fun. And it was a lot of fun to sit there in the backyard of the “Sixtina”, sipping a cold absinthe and enjoy to be back again. The “Sixtina” became one of my favourite places. It is an absinthery where you can choose from over 130 different absinthe brands. In the last three years I maybe tried like 6 or 7 different brands. One of my favourite is the Mansinthe. It is really good and not just because of the nice label. If you like it more sweet and creamy you should try a Lehmann Mousse. It is like Baileys. Just with the taste of absinthe. I love it. I could go on for hours now with talking about absinthe. I became an addict.... Just kidding. It is a nice ritual for special moments like the WGT. If you want to know more about the Sixtina you could check out their MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/absintherie_sixtina

But the “Sixtina” isn't the only absinthery in Leipzig. Since last year there is a new place where you can enjoy a nice glass of absinthe. It's called the "Petite Absintherie". It is really small but very friendly. The nice couple who owns the small bar and works their are very well informed about absinthe and always in the mood for a little chat. Of course it is another atmosphere there, like in the “Sixtina”, but it isn't so crowded and loud. I like both places!

First my friend and I wanted to visit the "Victorian Picnic" near to the “Parkbuehne”. But we were so busy in the city that we didn't make it. What a pity. Maybe next year. I always wanted to go there, but then something else happened and we hadn't the time for it. Next year we'll be there. For sure. The reason why we were so busy, was because we met some friends at the “Moritzbastei” on the medieval market. We haven't seen them for a long time, so we spend our lunch with them and talked a lot. That is so cool about the WGT, wherever you are, you'll always will meet someone you know!

Now it was time to head to the “AGRA”. Hanging around in the shopping hall, meeting people there and finally go to the ZEROMANCER concert. I wasn't in the mood for the music and we had to hurry to get to the “Kohlrabizirkus” for watching the GENITORTURERS. That band was really kind of weird. In my opinion. Maybe that's how american bands are shocking in the states. The female singer made some obscene gestures and posed with a Jack Daniels bottle in her hand. The dancers showed bare breasts and the show was just strange. Usually I like weird shows, but that wasn't my taste.
So I wasn't sad when it was over and CREMATORY entered the stage.

Finally some metal and headbanging. Yes! It seemed that the singer was a little bit bored, but the show was good. The next show was my personal highlight of the day, because I am a big fan of Liv Kristine. She is awesome. And so LEAVES EYES were the band I was waiting for the whole day. I loved it! Liv and her husband Alexander Krull (singer of the band Atrocity) made a great show. I never saw her with THEATRE OF TRAGEDY so I was very happy to see her with LEAVES EYES

That was a great day and an awesome start to the 19th Wave Gotik Treffen.

Saturday 22 May 2010

The Saturday was pretty similar to the Friday. First we went to the city and later to the AGRA, where we watched some songs of ROTERSAND. But again we were in a hurry to get again to the “Kohlrabizirkus” to seePOISONBLACK" and MOONSPELL. To be honest I was a little bit confused because I thought that I'd seen MOONSPELL on the WGT two years ago and liked it very much. But when I saw the band, I realized that I had seen someone else some years ago. Anyway it wasn't too bad. It wasn't the fault of the band, that I'm getting old and confused.

After two great metal concerts we headed again to the "Petite Absintherie" for a nice glass of absinthe. Now we could call it a day!
Sarah Marx
Photos © 2010 Michael Schmid (aka Therion)

WGT 2010 photo impressions [2] [online V X.9]

Thu, 27 May 2010 23:29:22 +0100

First photo impressions of the XIX Wave-Gotik Treffen in Leipzig, D by our meticulous photographer Baron Von Smock.

WGT 2010 photo impressions [1] [online V X.9]

Tue, 25 May 2010 00:14:05 +0100

First photo impressions of the XIX Wave-Gotik Treffen in Leipzig, D by our meticulous photographer Baron Von Smock.

63 CD Reviews [online V X.9]

Sat, 15 May 2010 23:24:17 +0100

Read all the reviews here...

Titles from these albums will be featured in future episodes of The Sounds of DARKLIFE Podcast

Ad Inferna - Trance 'n Dance (Soulfood)
Alae Noctis - Alae Noctis (Mutant-e Records)
Allseits - Hel (Cyclic Law)
Àrnica - Viejo Mundo (Percht)
Aspectee - Morben (First Fallen Star)
Attrition - Across The Divide Live in Holland 1984 (Two Gods Recording)
Attrition - A Tricky Business (Two Gods Recording)
Attrition - Heretic Angels (Two Gods Recording)
Attrition - The Hand that Feeds - the remixes (Two Gods Recording)
Barry Schrader - Beyond (Innova)
Barry Schrader - Fallen Sparrow (Innova)
Blind Before Dawn - Demo CD 2009 (Self-released)
Blood - Seppuku (Visual Sonora / Mutant-e Records)
Corazzata Valdemone - Corazzata Valdemone ha sempre ragione! (Marks of Deceased prod)
Daniele Brusaschetto - Blasé (Bosco Rec)
Dawn & Dusk Entwined - Cathedrales De Brume (Aube & Crépuscule)
Deadcell - State of Fear (Urgence Disk)
Défilé Des Âmes - Lust 'n' Stone (Ahnstern)
Dense Vision Shrine - Time Lost in Oblivion (First Fallen Star)
Dicepeople - Time to Play (Self-released)
Die Rostigen Löffel - Artificial Stupidity (Krautnoise)
Dolls of Pain - Cybersex (Urgence Disk)
Dunkelwerk - Höllenbrut (Alfa Matrix)
Electro-evo - Electro[evo]lutive4 (Urgence Disk)
Erben der Schöpfung - Nerben der Zeit (M.O.S.)
Falkenstein - Kraftort (Heimatvolk)
Florence Foster Fan Club - Everyday Theatre (Wave Records)
Gerostenkorp - Terre Brulée (OPN)
Gerostenkorp & Neonrain - Io non Ho Paura (OPN)
Hadewych - Hadewych (Tuchtunie)
Hrossharsgrani - Pro Liberate Dimicandum Est (Steinklang)
Ignis Vrbis Mithrae - Sacrae Romanae Origines (Wolf Age Records)
Implant - Violence EP (Alfa Matrix)
Innfallen - Three Days of Darkness (First Fallen Star)
Irij - Irij EP (Ahnstern)
The Joy of Nature - The Empty Circle Part II: Rastos De Sangue E Fragmentos Da Tradição (Ahnstern)
Karsten Hamre - Through The Eyes of a Stranger (First Fallen Star)
Kyron - Union (Black Note Music)
La Mamoynia - Everything Is Fake (Self-released)
Lia Fail - Restless Eyes CDs (Self-released)
Nitzer Ebb - Industrial Complex (Alfa Matrix)
Omega Lithium - Dreams In Formaline (Artoffact Records)
Opera Multi Steel - Cathédrale (Infrastition)
Opera Multi Steel - Parachevement De L´esquisse (Wave Records)
Ophiussa - Pathos (Self-released)
Persona - Ruïnes (Marbre Negre)
Pinknruby - Queen Kale (Proserpina Records)
Realgar - Auriloquio (Autarkeia)
Robert Ziino - An Unusual Day in Montana (Experimental Artists)
Schwarzblut - Das Mausoleum (Alfa Matrix)
Screamingangel - The Inner War EP (Self-Released)
Sieben - As They Should Sound (Redroom)
Stahlwerk 9 - RetroMekanik (Steinklang)
Svartsinn Elegies for The Dead - 2CD (Cyclic Law)
Tethrippon - Tethrippon (Ahnstern)
This Gentle Horror - Chasing The Black Moon (The Fossil Dungeon)
Yumma-re - Eden (My Kingdom Music)
X-periment - First Visions EP (Mutant-e Records)
Zodiac Project - Morrow (Urgence Disk)

SAMPLERS
(AE)quilibrium - Man Vs Machine - VV.AA. - (Mutant-e Records)
Sensitive Data Vol. 1 - VV.AA. - (Zoharum)
South European Folk Compendium - VV.AA. - (Ahnstern)

VINYLS
Birch Book III - A Hand Full of Days (Little Somebody Records / Ahnstern)

WGT 2010 presentation [online V X.8]

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Wave-Gotik Treffen (D) - Friday 21st to 24th May 2010

72 CD Reviews [online V X.8]

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:02:57 +0000

Read all the reviews here...

Titles from these albums will be featured in future episodes of The Sounds of DARKLIFE Podcast

3 Cold Men - Photogramm (Wave Records)
32Crash - Weird News from An Uncertain Future (Alfa Matrix)
Alice in Videoland - She's A Machine (National)
Alien Produkt - Ignorance (BLC Productions)
Allerseelen - Neuschwabenland (Ahnstern / Steinklang)
Attrition - 3 Arms & A Dead Cert (Two Gods Recording)
Attrition - In The Realm of The Hungry Ghosts (Two Gods Recording)
Ayria - Hearts For Bullets (Alfa Matrix)
Ballo delle Castagne - Ballo delle Castagne (HauRuck! SPQR)
Barry Schrader - EAM (Innova)
Barry Schrader - Lost Atlantis (Innova)
Brotherhood Of Pagans - Only Once (Alone Prod)
Calle della Morte - Gente di Malaffare (HauRuck! SPQR)
Calle della Morte - Come te go fato te desfo! (HauRuck! SPQR)
A Challenge Of Honour - No Way Out (Vrihaspati Recordings)
Cities Last Broadcast - The Cancelled Earth (Cyclic Law)
D.B.P.I.T. and Xxena - Alien Symbiosis (Deserted Factory)
Different State - Knar (Zoharum Records)
L'Ensemble Deux Plus Et Compagnie - Pelerinage (The Fossil Dungeon)
Falkenstein - Urdärbrunnen (Heimatvolk / Steinklang)
Fluid_0 - Dream 6 (Urgence Disk)
Front 242 - Moments - 2CD (Alfa Matrix)
Ginger Leigh - Merchant of Death (Masuno)
Haujobb - Homes & Gardens MCD (Dependent Records)
Hoarfrost - Ground Zero (Zoharum Records)
I am Immune - Entropy EP (Line Out Records)
Ianva - Italia: Ultimo Atto (Antica Fonografia Il Levriero)
Implant - Implantology (Alfa Matrix)
In Auroram - When Daylight Fades (Wave Records)
Individual Totem - Aspects of Theories And Reality (Artoffact Records)
Individual Totem - S.E.T.I. (Artoffact Records)
Jännerwein - Abendläuten (Heimatvolk / Steinklang)
Kannonau - Initium (Misty Circles)
Karjalan Sissit - Fucking Whore Society (Cyclic Law)
Kobold - Blowback EP (Artoffact Records)
Krystal System - Underground (Alfa Matrix)
Lacus Somniorum - Tideshaper (Cyclic Law)
Lark Blames - Chimney (Old Europa Cafe)
Massiv in Mensch - Meanwhile Back in the Jungle (Artoffact Records)
Massiv in Mensch - Hands on Massiv (Artoffact Records)
Mauerbrecher - Brightest Heaven (The Fossil Dungeon)
Mittageisen - 1981-1986 Remastered 2CD (Mital-U)
New Concept - Stomp! EP (Esox Pop)
Nosens - The Final Step EP (Lomeanor / Wildness Records)
Paper Gods - Woolgathering EP (The Fossil Dungeon)
The Plastic Noise Experience - Reiz und Reaktion (Alfa Matrix)
Psy'Aviah - Entertainment Industries (Alfa Matrix)
Psycho Emptiness - 5 Jahre ohne Sie (Self-released)
Robert Ziino - The Lying Dolls (Experimental Artists)
Root4 - VorstellungsKraft (Sonic Boom Records)
Schultz - La Mort... EP (Kultura Industrialna)
Seize - Constant Fight (Alfa Matrix)
The SlimP - Wavelands (Danse Macabre / afmusic)
Sonic Radiation - Infinity EP (Unknown Records)
Standeg - Ultra High Tech Violet (Artoffact Records)
Star Industry - Black Angel - White Devil (Alfa Matrix)
Stray - Abuse by Proxy (Alfa Matrix)
Sturmpercht - A Wilde Zeit (Percht / Steinklang)
Svarrogh - Yer Su (Ahnstern / Steinklang)
Synomorph - Recorded in Hell (Apocalyptic Radio)
Teatro Satanico - Black Magic Block (SteinKlang Records)
Tonal Y Nagual - The Unseen Deserts (UMB Kollektif)
Venefica - Scarlet (Ekleipsi)
Xandria - Salome - The Seventh Veil (Drakkar Records)

SAMPLERS
Alfa Matrix Re:connected [3.0] - VV.AA. - 2CD (Alfa Matrix)
Alfa Matrix Re:covered - A Tribute to Depeche Mode - VV.AA. - 2CD (Alfa Matrix)
FabrikSampler V2 (2008) - VV.AA. (Pharmafabrik Recordings)
Interbreeding 09: Kuru - 2 CD - VV.AA. (BLC Productions)
Wave Sampler 2009 - VV.AA. (Wave Records)
Wave Klassix Vol. 3 - VV.AA. (Wave Records)

ViNYLS
Fractional - Still Life? (The Centrifuge)
Solar Skeletons - Necroethyl (Radon Uropa / Night On Earth / Toolbox / Aïnu / Amertume / Marasm /Saucisse Lentilles / Bruit de Fond / BTK)

WGT 2009 full photo gallery [online V X.7]

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:29:00 +0100

Baron Von Smock has kept himself busy this year at the 2009 Wave-Gotik Treffen for Darklife. No less than 1276 shots for you to peruse!

Check out his definitive gallery here

Scene interview [Online V X.7]

Sun, 6 Sep 2009 00:12:28 +0100

Christian Wicky (CH)
Mr Christian Wicky has been one of the most emblematic figures of the Swiss music scene for over ten years especially with the band FAVEZ who toured all over Europe over the past few years. These days he's working on a solo project, for the Gentlemen booking agency and the label Irascible out of his Lausanne headquarter. Read on...

WGT 2009 Sun-Mon commentary [online V X.7]

Sun, 7 Jun 2009 00:23:42 +0100

Sunday 31 May 2009

In order to skip the boring city and shopping part, I start with the first band of this day which we saw. It was FETISCH:MENSCH at the Agra. I like the poems of Oswald Henke, who is the singer of this band, but I prefer to read something of him, and not to hear him. Even if he puts up a great show, with great faces, his speaking and singing wasn't really what I liked.

After that show, we decided to go to the "Heidnisches Dorf" (medieval market). For those who have no access to the camping area it is a long long foot walk from the Agra to the market. And guess now, who had no access to the camping area! Right! Us!! But we were much quicker, than the guy with his mega plateau boots. The "Heidnisches Dorf" is getting bigger and bigger every year. More stalls and more food. Just the seats are getting not more. First we tried to sit in the grass. I was just cowering there, I guess it looks pretty strange, so I decided to sit down on my time table, because the grass was really wet. Well, I was sitting there. But how to get up again? Not easy with corset and high heels. Maybe I should wear more comfortable clothes nest time! Nevertheless, I was able to get up again, not very elegant, but who cares?!

After we got some food, we also got a seat on a bench. Much better than on the wet grass, where still my poor and wet timetable was lying. Rested and fed, we began our long walk back to the Agra. That long walk is the reason why we visit the "Heidnisches Dorf" just once per WGT. It is really great there, but to walk about 3 kilometers isn't really funny. Maybe next year, we should think about buying access to the camping area. Then we can spend more time at the "Heidnisches Dorf".

When we arrived at the Agra we needed some rest again. So we sat in the front hall of the Agra shopping hall and looked at the people. Better than TV!!! It never gets boring.

Later on I went to the Agra concert hall to see UMBRA ET IMAGO. They always had a sexy show with naked girls and fire. But after a few songs, I realized, that naked girls and this music isn't any longer my taste. Maybe I'm getting old after all. So I was leaving Mozart and his naked ladies, to meet with a friend and sit in the AGRA café to talk for a while.

I haven't seen her for one year, because we just meet at the Wave Gotik Treffen. That's something I like so much about festivals. To see so many people, you haven't seen for a while. After lots of girly talk and of course some serious tasks (really! Not only make-up and hair dyeing!!!!) we said goodbye and were leaving to get some sleep.

Monday 1 June 2009

Wow, how quickly time is passing by. And now it's already the last day. It's amazing how time flies, when you have so much fun. On our last day we wanted to see the "Völkerschlachtdenkmal" again. Some years ago, they had shows there but now it's not longer involved with the WGT. But it is still a great monument to visit. They're restoring it at the moment, so it has an ugly site fence around. From the "Völkerschlachtdenkmal" it's not far to the "Südfriedhof" (cemetery). Even at the Wave Gotik Treffen you can be a stereotype and take a walk at the cemetery. It was so nice there. Calm, and the sun was shining. And we met two cute squirrels. They were pretty quick, so I couldn't take a good shot of them. On some graves they had some really pretty statues.

Sadly it was now our last time to go to the "Sixtina" for a little glass of absinthe. Certainly we like absinthe so much, that we bought two bottles and now we can enjoy our "green hour" at home. For a little Wave Gotik Treffen feeling.

Sad to say, but there weren't any bands that day, that I wanted to see. We went to the Agra and listened to some songs of a medieval band, but that wasn't really my taste. Anyway the band selection at this year's edition of the WGT wasn't really the best. And that wasn't only my opinion, I heard it from different people. The evening came closer and so the time to say goodbye. I hate that. I hate to hug the people I like so much and I know that I'll see them again in a year. I would love to spend more time with them. A Wave Gotik Treffen every month, that would be great!! Just kidding, it would become really boring. One time a year, that's how it should be.

After hugging and saying good-bye my boyfriend and me went to the "Kohlrabizirkus" to see AGONOIZE. Okay, let me get this straight: He wanted to see them. I just joined him! However AGONOIZE have a bizarre and fake-bloody show, so it could be interesting to see it. But it was so crowded in the hall. I didn't feel very comfortable with all the people. And the smell of the air was awful. So I spun on my heels and was waiting in the car. After that experience I was so peeved, that I stayed in the car and didn't get again in to the hall to see KMFDM. Maybe a good decision, because it was heavily raining. And I can see KMFDM at another festival. My friend was pretty impressed and he took some great pictures.

And so another wonderful Wave Gotik Treffen has come to an end! I really enjoyed it. I'm already looking forward to next year, when we will all meet again for the 19th Wave Gotik Treffen in Leipzig!!!!!!!!

Sarah Marx
Photos © 2009 Michael Schmid (aka Therion), Sarah Marx

Random one-liners from the WGT 2009

- "Pink hurts my eyes"
"Opeth were very disappointing."
"Is it more crowded than the years before?" "No, I thought it is emptier"
"Actually the WGT is all the same every year, but I like it anyway. I need to go here. To stay at home is worse."
"MIAU"
"Less is more!"
"Oh I haven't recognized you!" "Well, that was the plan!!!!!"
"The classical gothic style is coming back, and it's great!"
"VNV Nation was the best concert of this festival"
"I am here for the first time and I love it. I'm sure that I'll come back."
"Where have all the Swedish gone?

WGT 2009 Fri-Sat commentary [online V X.7]

Sat, 6 Jun 2009 23:05:03 +0100

Friday 29 May 2009

So let's get started with the first day of the Wave Gotik Treffen. The weather wasn't that great like last year, but we still had some sun and it wasn't rainy and cold. First we went into the city, to the small medieval market at the "Moritz Bastei". It's not that big, like the "Heidnisches Dorf", but for a met or a medieval snack, it's perfect. Some years ago, the market was inside of the catacombs, but now it is on top. Maybe it's better like this, because the air in the catacombs was always very stifling. And so the Gothics get some sun, too ^^

We met some friends there and went again to the "Sixtina". As the weather was so nice, we didn't sit in the inside of the bar but went out into the backyard. It was already pretty crowded, but we got some space. It was a great atmosphere. Everything was calm (except the very loud music from the speaker behind my back) and relaxed. That's what the Wave Gotik Treffen is famous for. Lots of relaxed people and no riots.

After a drink and some shopping in the city we were ready to drive to the Agra. Here you can see the highest number of highly styled people at one single place. It's great, sometimes a little bit scary, but still great.

On Friday there wasn't any concert that I wanted to see at the Agra. My boyfriend went to see COMBICHRIST and told me, that it was pretty awesome. I don't like that electro stuff so much. I prefer guitars! That was the reason that we drove at night to the "Kohlrabizirkus" to see MY DYING BRIDE. They did a great show. I was already after the first day so exhausted, that I sat on the floor with a friend and enjoyed the music. We had something to eat and to drink and did our own little metal picnic while MY DYING BRIDE were playing.

After that concert I was so tired, that we went to the hotel. I think I visit the Wave Gotik Treffen for almost 8 years, but I never went to a party, because I am always to sleepy for that. And I even can't use the excuse, that I'm getting old.

Saturday 30 May 2009

The saturday started pretty similar to the friday. After a nice breakfast in the hotel, we drove into the city. Visited the "Sixtina" and tried another colour ^^ If you think that we're kind of alcoholics, let me tell you, that it was already in the noon and that there is a Absinthe Breakfast at the Sixtina, where you can drink some absinthe in the morning. But we never made it, because it's really early, about 9 am. And we prefer our delicious breakfast at the hotel.

The Saturday was kind of cold and cloudy. Good, that I bought an umbrella for the Wave Gotik Treffen. I think I never used it, but good to have one with you.

After a short visit at the Agra my boyfriend and I drove to the "Kohlrabizirkus" to see EDEN WEINT IM GRAB. This is a German death metal band, that started as a studio project but had now the first show on the Wave Gotik Treffen. I had just heard some tracks by them, and they were live much cooler than on CD. But I guess, that's with every metal band. However I really enjoyed that show. What a pity, that they didn't have any merchandise, I would have loved to have a t-shirt of them. We also stayed for the next band DRACONIAN. It reminds me a little bit of LEAVES EYES. A woman with a wonderful voice and a guy with the classical black metal "grunt". I loved it and it was very touching.

Later we headed back to the Agra, meeting some people and watching FEINDFLUG. In my opinion, there is no difference between a live show or a CD track, when the Industrial bands are playing. It always sounds the same. Well, no time for disappointments. I was standing far away from the stage, because when the industrial bands are playing, there is always "war" in the mosh pit. And for me with a tight skirt and high heels, that wasn't the perfect place to be. So I stood at a safe distance to watch them. First I thought one of the guys was looking like Kroenen from the movie Hellboy. But he just had a bandage with an X in his face, and from far away, it looks like the mask of Kroenen. No, I don't need glasses!

Finally VNV NATION entered the stage. Ron Harris was in a pretty good mood, and shouted in German to the fans. They were cheering and celebrating with the band. When they're playing, you always know, that they're live, because Ron is changing the melody of some songs. I like that, he is a great entertainer. The air, or that what was left, was really really close. The hall was full, and I was happy, that there wasn't any water coming down from the ceiling.

After that great show we went again to the "Kohlrabizirkus" to see OPETH. I was looking forward all the time to see them, but I was really disappointed. So I did the same thing like at the MY DYING BRIDE concert and was sitting on the floor with a friend, chatting and laughing. So we also had fun!

Sarah Marx
Photos © 2009 Michael Schmid (aka Therion)

WGT 2009 Thursday commentary [online V X.7]

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 01:55:51 +0100

Thursday 28 May 2009

A year passed by so quickly and it was again the time for the blackest days in Germany. The 18th Wave Gotik Treffen. The black scene was ready to meet again in Leipzig. So what is so special about that festival? It is the biggest Gothic Festival and people from all over world come to join it. Unlike other festivals, it doesn't take place only at one location. The Wave Gotik Treffen spreads over the whole city of Leipzig. It's sensational. There are so many things you can do! Over 180 bands are playing at different locations, from small clubs, to open air stages, to the big halls, like the "Kohlrabizirkus" and the "Agra".

The idea of the Wave Gotik Treffen, also called WGT, arose in the year 1988, when 150 people came together for a meeting. The real first WGT took place in 1992 where about 1500 people gathered in Leipzig. Now there are about 20000 visitors every year. So you can say, that Leipzig is really black at Whitsuntide. Not only black, you can see lot's of colours there.

But there are not only concerts, you can visit museums, listen to readings, go to partys, meet other people or watch movies in the cinema. Even if there are so many places where you can go, the "Agra Hall" is still the central point. Here is the camping area, the big Agra concert hall and the shopping hall with traders from all over the world. There you can get everything that the black heart desires. So take your time for a little walk through the alleys and you can see a lot of nice styled people there.

That's another great thing about the WGT. The people are so creative with their outfits. For some it is the most important event in the year and they spend a lot of time to design some great outfits. Many things are home made and it's awesome to see the fondly designed outfits.

Get ready for four wonderful days in Leipzig!

For me and my boyfriend the WGT started on thursday afternoon, when we drove towards Leipzig. Our way is not really long, when I imagine, that some people come from the UK, Sweden, Spain, the US and even from Japan. But to spend 5 hours in the car with traffic jams won't never ever be a big fun. But finally we arrived at night and decided to get a drink at the "Sixtina". The "Sixtina" is a absinthery, where you can get over 100 sorts of absinth. That would take more than two weeks to try every taste. And it would be pretty expensive. But very delicious... Yes, I like absinthe! I confess. But I haven't tried anywhere near all of the varieties. Maybe five or six. And this in three years. Bad average, for the idea to try every taste.

The small bar is really pretty and even if you don't like absinthe (yes, I know, such people exist ^^), just take a look around, it's quite picturesque. The ceiling is painted like an old chapel, the walls are decorated with fetish photos and old absinthe posters and you can order soft drinks or beer there, you don't need to try the green fairy at all costs.

Unfortunately it's always pretty crowded there and sometimes, you need to leave, because it's impossible to get a seat. Or even a little bit free space to stand. If the weather is nice, you can sit outside, which relaxes the situation inside of the bar a little bit and you can enjoy your drink in a nice backyard with lots of plants and some small fountains. Here are also concerts, movies and readings.

We were lucky and got a nice place in the inside of the "Sixtina" and enjoyed our drinks. Absinthe doesn't need to be green to be tasty. For doing some party we were too exhausted, so we decided to go back to our hotel and get some sleep for being ready for the next four days.
Sarah Marx 
Photos © 2009 Michael Schmid (aka Therion), Sarah Marx

WGT 2009 photo impressions [4] [online V X.7]

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 23:50:01 +0100

Yet more snaps from the XVIII Wave-Gotik Treffen in Leipzig, D by our own trusted super-snapper Baron Von Smock.

WGT 2009 photo impressions [3] [online V X.7]

Sun, 31 May 2009 19:18:37 +0100

More photo impressions of the XVIII Wave-Gotik Treffen in Leipzig, D by our appointed super-snapper Baron Von Smock.

WGT 2009 photo impressions [2] [online V X.7]

Sun, 31 May 2009 00:12:04 +0100

Specimen spotted at the XVIII Wave-Gotik Treffen in Leipzig, D, following the vigilant eye of our faithful snapper Baron Von Smock.