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As some of our readers should probably know by now, we at Merchants Of Air have a pretty eclectic music taste. For me the whole journey started with metal. About ten years ago, I was into industrial, rhythmic noise, darkwave and dark ambient and so was a girl I met at one of those dark gatherings. A few years later, we got married and we still are today, hurray for that right?
Over the years our taste evolved. We started discovering new sounds and left the so-called 'goth'-scene behind us. However, we kept a few favorites. Deutsch Nepal and Sophia still find the way to our speakers very often. So when both appeared on the line-up of Porta Nigra, we didn't hesitate. After all, it had been a long time since we've seen these bands and their new albums are very promising..
Now, before I go into the performances of the bands, I have to tell you that we were unable to see Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio and we only witnessed a little bit of Rome. Why? Because we have no other means of transportation than the public version and the Belgian railway company isn't too friendly towards people who go out late at night. So our last train was around eleven. I decided not to complain to the conductress since she was the nicest, most friendly railway worker I have ever met.
Over the years our taste evolved. We started discovering new sounds and left the so-called 'goth'-scene behind us. However, we kept a few favorites. Deutsch Nepal and Sophia still find the way to our speakers very often. So when both appeared on the line-up of Porta Nigra, we didn't hesitate. After all, it had been a long time since we've seen these bands and their new albums are very promising..
Now, before I go into the performances of the bands, I have to tell you that we were unable to see Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio and we only witnessed a little bit of Rome. Why? Because we have no other means of transportation than the public version and the Belgian railway company isn't too friendly towards people who go out late at night. So our last train was around eleven. I decided not to complain to the conductress since she was the nicest, most friendly railway worker I have ever met.
Before we entered the venue, we found ourselves on the local funfair, putting coins into a machine, which in its turn gave us points, prices and more coins. That too was the first time in about ten years. So this day was becoming a huge flashback for the both of us. An hour later and twenty euros poorer, we stepped out of the luna-park with the thing you can see on the left side of this text.
I don't know exactly what it is or what it does. It looks like a man who got anally struck by lightning. According to the box, which I threw away in a local bar, it's a letter opener & pen holder. To me, it's Chinese junk, good for a laugh. Frankly, it was all we could get for 800 points, apart from bad headphones, toys and 16 lighters.
I don't know exactly what it is or what it does. It looks like a man who got anally struck by lightning. According to the box, which I threw away in a local bar, it's a letter opener & pen holder. To me, it's Chinese junk, good for a laugh. Frankly, it was all we could get for 800 points, apart from bad headphones, toys and 16 lighters.
Right, on to the festival then because that's what we came here for. When we entered the venue, it was like we entered a time capsule. It's odd how some things never seem to change. There they were: the militant, Death In June shirted and pants-in-boots wearing neo folk fans, the women who had been spending the entire day in front of their mirrors,, the massive presence of the color black - in fact, there were two people with colors, one looked a bit paranoid about his backpack and the other one suddenly started performing on stage.
Even the merchandise booths looked exactly the same as ten years ago, with the same artists coming back time and time again. Is that bad? Not really, because I finally got my hands of a copy of 'Palpita Corazon Palpita' by Calva Y Nada. Hurray. I bought some other stuff too, The KVB, Imminent and a beautiful 5-CD box by Klaus Schulze & Pete Namlook. So yeah, it was all worth it.
Even the merchandise booths looked exactly the same as ten years ago, with the same artists coming back time and time again. Is that bad? Not really, because I finally got my hands of a copy of 'Palpita Corazon Palpita' by Calva Y Nada. Hurray. I bought some other stuff too, The KVB, Imminent and a beautiful 5-CD box by Klaus Schulze & Pete Namlook. So yeah, it was all worth it.
While I was still shopping, Synapscape started blasting their rhythmic noise through the speakers. Obviously they immediately gained everyone's attention and before we realized it, the venue was loaded with people dancing, or something that looked like dancing. Now, that's what I like about this scene. People show up on time to watch the opening bands. The venue contained the same amount of people all evening, which is a great show of respect. Obviously, Synapscape are great and always come up with a convincing performance. This time was no different and we were off to a great start.
Outside, the carnival trucks were gearing up to travel through the city of Aarschot. Carnival is a strange tradition in our country. Originally a Catholic thing, carnival is now an orgy of alcohol consumption, throwing candy at people and blasting the most mind numbing music out of enormous speakers. Everywhere I looked, there were people dressed as pirates, barbies, tigers, goths. Somehow it all fitted perfectly, even with what was going on inside the Klinker venue.
Outside, the carnival trucks were gearing up to travel through the city of Aarschot. Carnival is a strange tradition in our country. Originally a Catholic thing, carnival is now an orgy of alcohol consumption, throwing candy at people and blasting the most mind numbing music out of enormous speakers. Everywhere I looked, there were people dressed as pirates, barbies, tigers, goths. Somehow it all fitted perfectly, even with what was going on inside the Klinker venue.
Yet, there it would suddenly become all seriousness, because Sophia was about to climb on stage. Aided by Belgium's own Empusae on drums, Peter & Cecilia Bjärgö played a number of songs from the new album 'Unclean' and they sounded extremely promising. For years, since 1997 to be exact, Sophia has been one of the best martial industrial acts in history and with the new songs, they pretty much secure that position.
The gig itself sounded a bit hesitant, as if the trio were not completely attuned yet. Here and there, I heard a little error, a glitch in the co-act. Harmless, obviously. This was an excellent gig because Sophia's music is simply brilliant. I loved every second of it and I wasn't the only one. I've always thought that 'Spite' is one of the best albums in their genre, but judging from this concert, maybe 'Unclean' might surpass that, because for the first time I liked the new songs better than the old ones. Honestly.
The gig itself sounded a bit hesitant, as if the trio were not completely attuned yet. Here and there, I heard a little error, a glitch in the co-act. Harmless, obviously. This was an excellent gig because Sophia's music is simply brilliant. I loved every second of it and I wasn't the only one. I've always thought that 'Spite' is one of the best albums in their genre, but judging from this concert, maybe 'Unclean' might surpass that, because for the first time I liked the new songs better than the old ones. Honestly.
Here come two different reviews for the exact same Deutsch Nepal gig. The first one is the one I overheard when two fifty year old rockers were comparing it to 'back in the days', and the other one is mine.
Oh look, this one doesn't even have instruments. There's only a table with some electronic stuff and an old drunk with a can of Jupiler in his hands, rambling about being a cosmic trigger or something. Man, this goes on for ages and those people all seem to like it. (a few minutes later). He's not even singing now. The voices come from that same table of electronics. (again, later). Where is he going? The music is still on. Oh, his can of beer is empty so he stops?
Deutsch Nepal climbed on stage and thanked everyone for coming. Someone yelled 'for you' and he answered, in a pretty hilarious, and a bit gay manner 'I know'. It set the tone for a brilliant performance. The music started playing and Lina Baby Doll started singing. At first, it looked a bit arduous but gradually he was getting into his act, resulting in an epic version or 'Erosion' by the end. And as we're used from Deutsch Nepal, he left stage when the can of beer was empty. It was a classic Deutsch Nepal gig and everyone, except those two rockers, loved the hell out of it.
Deutsch Nepal climbed on stage and thanked everyone for coming. Someone yelled 'for you' and he answered, in a pretty hilarious, and a bit gay manner 'I know'. It set the tone for a brilliant performance. The music started playing and Lina Baby Doll started singing. At first, it looked a bit arduous but gradually he was getting into his act, resulting in an epic version or 'Erosion' by the end. And as we're used from Deutsch Nepal, he left stage when the can of beer was empty. It was a classic Deutsch Nepal gig and everyone, except those two rockers, loved the hell out of it.
The most energetic act was Imminent, my personal favorite one too. Harsh industrial with a lot of energy and intensity, able to get everyone dancing. Imminent is widely known for his energetic gigs and an immediate floor filler everywhere he goes. There is little else to say about his performance. This simply was one of the most hyperactive electronic gigs I've ever witnessed. Shouldn't that be enough credit for this guy?
So, thanks to the NMBS (the Belgian railway messuppers) that was about it for us. We had to start walking towards the train station. Yet, before we left, we both got a nice encounter with and a hug from Deutsch Nepal. It was nice seeing him again and it was nice being in that scene again for awhile. I saw a few familiar faces, ten years older and just as much enjoying dark music as I do. So it really was a great trip through memory lane.
I did see Rome starting their set and it sounded like Rome always sounds. For a moment, I thought that Jerome added some post rock influences to his strong and emotional music, making me regret that we had to go. When I saw the faces of the people in attendance, I know this was about to become a classic Rome gig, one which passed me by. We started walking and collected some candy from the carnival trucks on the way to the station. The last time we did that, was also about ten years ago.
It's funny how some things change and others stay exactly the same...
Serge
I did see Rome starting their set and it sounded like Rome always sounds. For a moment, I thought that Jerome added some post rock influences to his strong and emotional music, making me regret that we had to go. When I saw the faces of the people in attendance, I know this was about to become a classic Rome gig, one which passed me by. We started walking and collected some candy from the carnival trucks on the way to the station. The last time we did that, was also about ten years ago.
It's funny how some things change and others stay exactly the same...
Serge
