Dark:Live:Fest 5
Does less really mean more? Well, yes and no...
Crowd... enormous crowd at the very entrance is actually not that common view at alternative parties...the crowd, chatting people, several meter long queue...it's a rare, but at the same time highly gladdening view, so in this case „more” definitely was an advantage that added to fantastic atmosphere I enjoyed throughout the whole event.
That was the sight that welcomed us on 8th March in Rock Café as the fine begging of Dark Live Fest. Surely 5th edition turned out to be the „A-class” one - no doubts in this respect. The organizers have every right to feel satisfied and proud: the bands of Cold Meat Industry, Hands or Ant-Zen, great audience... all perfect...
...except for one thing (but it was not the organizers fault, but the club's) – Rock Café got a nasty surprise for the party-goers: the hours at which the concerts were supposed to take place (4-10 pm). Such arrangement was the reason that many people had to resign of coming. What a shame.
Still, those who were there were surely satisfied... so let me pass on to the most important thing : to the concerts.
Try to imagine a closed, dark hall that evokes associations with an old theatre where the air is heavy of words and smells like a warm material, dust, light and which has a specific atmosphere. That was more or less the background for – frugal as it was - concert of Deutsch Nepal. Forestalling the questions of those who saw the DN concert in Wroclaw at Wroclaw Industrial Festival... yes, that Polish gig was, say, interesting, but no such things were taking place in Prague... on the contrary, it was a quietened, ascetic, a bit harsh, yet very good show.
The artist has been active since 1989, famous for various antics, but as a matter of fact I did not have the impression that he was trying to play a peacock and attract the audience's attention by catchy tricks... I'd even say - quite the opposite. At least that's how I felt. Relaxation, a certain nonchalance even and the limited means of scenic expression enhanced the sonic effect. Darkness, spotlight at Lina's face, visualizations basing on the single image and the music which sounded a bit like playing with space, with its growing and narrowing ( the association with Ireland came almost immediately - sorry, the power of stereotype :-), extraordinary voice either fading or hitting again and samples... The impression of vast spaces and austere, minimized music dazzling the senses stood for a wonderful concert that kept the attention scoped to the limit. Specific sense of humor? Well, pity ( or luckily) not everyone throws sweet candies from the stage...
Setlist:
1.Stella Khruschov 2.U.R. Blackhouse 3.M/S Elusive Pain4.I JAST FOKOS AN MAISELF 5.Golden Sea Baptism 6.Of Parasites And Disguise 7.A Silent Siege 8.The Doll-song 9.Thiudinassus
http://www.myspace.com/deutschnepal
http://user.tninet.se/%7ebsb015v/
Rome enchanted me with brilliant drums, perfectly created atmosphere and extremely magnetic guitars. The artist ideally steered with the tension balancing between delicacy and power which perfectly co-existed with the visuals being as if a reflection of lace tree contours and fragments of manuscripts. Moderate sounds and dim lights slowly constructed the aura of concentration, release of thoughts, invigoration and at the same time overwhelming power of lazily enfolding sounds.
I think the effect was achieved by combination of moderate means and appealing music. Perhaps it were the slightly ballad, but heart-rendering melodies and definite, strong rhythm that gave the impression as if Jerome Reuter was telling a story: in a warm or coarse tone.
setlist:
1.ni dieu ni maitre 2. the consolation of man 3. the torture detachment 4.a burden of flowers 5.hope dies painless 6.das feuerordal 7.der wolfsmantel 8.a la faveur de la nuit 9.reversion 10.der erscheinungen flucht 11.querkraft 12.der brandtaucher 13.neue erinnerung 14.les hirondelles
http://www.myspace.com/romecmi
After the 'atmospheric' concerts had ended, the master of stimulating sonic streams – Empusae – installed on the stage.
Sal Ocin released an album „Error 404 Metaphorical loss” - full of dynamism and lucid melodies some time ago and so was his concert in Prague – vital, powerful and full of inner light. Dazzling, pulsating lasers fighting for priority with agile, extremely energetic sounds putting the listener in a hypnotic trance almost naturally and effortlessly and unremitting pace slowly imposed the rhythm. The music of Empusae is not of an obvious kind – pounding, a bit receding rhythms, stubbornly and persistently drilling the sonic structure created a highly consistent, hard-hitting and surprising entity and yet featured a somewhat obscure dainty touch. Very hypnotic. Very intriguing.
The additional advantage of their concert were the dancing strobe lights, changeable pace and the impression of free run of the music.
Bravo for the scenic relaxation – in spite of some technical problems Sal Ocin and Katelijne De Corte remained calm and even smiled :-)
Setlist:
hatred of the tress 2. orix 3. misère (agony / out of question) 4. game of confession 5. urficae 6. (formes de) la puissance
http://www.myspace.com/empusae
http://www.empusae.com/
The penultimate project Raison d'Etre – that is Peter Andersson's child – presented subtle, ambient tones which based on shuffling passages, changeable melodies and gentle, sepia visualizations that matched the atmosphere of mesmerizing, senses-captivating music very well. It sounded like a canvas for the pastel soundscape that was rising and falling interchangeably in an harmonious rhythm.
As to the pieces presented: : the first half an hour was improvised and then we could hear Mouldering the Forlorned (part 1)
and The End of the Key (also improvised).
http://www.myspace.com/detreraison
http://raisondetre.coldmeat.se/
The final was reserved for Xabec. Since I heard he was going to perform (instead of Klangstabil) my happiness was endless (hence the greater disappointment that due to the hours I mentioned, Manuel Richter managed to play just a few pieces).
Manuel is such kind of an artist for whom mastering of the audience's attention seems totally natural... The sounds he creates reach the mind by various paths; they are fragile, subtle and yet so admirable that on entering their realm we have the impression of contemplating something exceptionally precious, easy to frighten away, to destroy... Rarely had I experienced the situation where I'd react to something merely by saying 'beautiful' and then falling silent for the awareness of words insufficiency, but Xabec is able to create the music which defeats all the analytic sense and gets straight to the emotional centre...without barriers, without obstacles. It's elusive, uncontrollable, gentle and yet its power is irresistible. Listening to those sounds was like standing face to face with pure harmony.
It's also worth mentioning that alluring lights, the abundance of instruments used ( gong, fiddlestick, or... a satellite dish :-) perfectly worked together and enriched the sonic effect bringing a peculiar concentration, quietening and silencing state. It was as if Manuel invited us to his private art gallery and shared all the beauty he created with us... Remarkable concert...
... and that's why a brutal interruption of it was so hard to take. Just a few minutes after 10 pm – sound stopped, the music stopped – thank you, good bye...I felt like someone hit me in my head... Pity. I hope I'll have a chance to listen to the whole Xabec concert in the nearest future.
Setlist:
1.Open State 2.Early Morning 3.Snowline 4.Gummaff 5.Silent Sunday 6.If
http://www.myspace.com/xabec
http://www.xabec.com/
Back to the question 'does less mean more'?
The strongest impression of Dark Live Fest 5 was that this time Prague hosted the artists who are masters in building the atmosphere...with the highly limited use of means. As to the presented sounds – it appeared that beauty not necessarily needs flashy harbingers to shout their fame to reveal all its charms. So the answer to the question is „yes” - less means more, but only in the hands of masters.
Wonderful concerts, magnificent impressions... thank you!
And besides – Roman and Jan – happy birthday!!!:):):)
http://www.darklivefest.com/
http://www.myspace.com/darklivefest
Crowd... enormous crowd at the very entrance is actually not that common view at alternative parties...the crowd, chatting people, several meter long queue...it's a rare, but at the same time highly gladdening view, so in this case „more” definitely was an advantage that added to fantastic atmosphere I enjoyed throughout the whole event.
That was the sight that welcomed us on 8th March in Rock Café as the fine begging of Dark Live Fest. Surely 5th edition turned out to be the „A-class” one - no doubts in this respect. The organizers have every right to feel satisfied and proud: the bands of Cold Meat Industry, Hands or Ant-Zen, great audience... all perfect...
...except for one thing (but it was not the organizers fault, but the club's) – Rock Café got a nasty surprise for the party-goers: the hours at which the concerts were supposed to take place (4-10 pm). Such arrangement was the reason that many people had to resign of coming. What a shame.
Still, those who were there were surely satisfied... so let me pass on to the most important thing : to the concerts.
Try to imagine a closed, dark hall that evokes associations with an old theatre where the air is heavy of words and smells like a warm material, dust, light and which has a specific atmosphere. That was more or less the background for – frugal as it was - concert of Deutsch Nepal. Forestalling the questions of those who saw the DN concert in Wroclaw at Wroclaw Industrial Festival... yes, that Polish gig was, say, interesting, but no such things were taking place in Prague... on the contrary, it was a quietened, ascetic, a bit harsh, yet very good show.
The artist has been active since 1989, famous for various antics, but as a matter of fact I did not have the impression that he was trying to play a peacock and attract the audience's attention by catchy tricks... I'd even say - quite the opposite. At least that's how I felt. Relaxation, a certain nonchalance even and the limited means of scenic expression enhanced the sonic effect. Darkness, spotlight at Lina's face, visualizations basing on the single image and the music which sounded a bit like playing with space, with its growing and narrowing ( the association with Ireland came almost immediately - sorry, the power of stereotype :-), extraordinary voice either fading or hitting again and samples... The impression of vast spaces and austere, minimized music dazzling the senses stood for a wonderful concert that kept the attention scoped to the limit. Specific sense of humor? Well, pity ( or luckily) not everyone throws sweet candies from the stage...
Setlist:
1.Stella Khruschov 2.U.R. Blackhouse 3.M/S Elusive Pain4.I JAST FOKOS AN MAISELF 5.Golden Sea Baptism 6.Of Parasites And Disguise 7.A Silent Siege 8.The Doll-song 9.Thiudinassus
http://www.myspace.com/deutschnepal
http://user.tninet.se/%7ebsb015v/
Rome enchanted me with brilliant drums, perfectly created atmosphere and extremely magnetic guitars. The artist ideally steered with the tension balancing between delicacy and power which perfectly co-existed with the visuals being as if a reflection of lace tree contours and fragments of manuscripts. Moderate sounds and dim lights slowly constructed the aura of concentration, release of thoughts, invigoration and at the same time overwhelming power of lazily enfolding sounds.
I think the effect was achieved by combination of moderate means and appealing music. Perhaps it were the slightly ballad, but heart-rendering melodies and definite, strong rhythm that gave the impression as if Jerome Reuter was telling a story: in a warm or coarse tone.
setlist:
1.ni dieu ni maitre 2. the consolation of man 3. the torture detachment 4.a burden of flowers 5.hope dies painless 6.das feuerordal 7.der wolfsmantel 8.a la faveur de la nuit 9.reversion 10.der erscheinungen flucht 11.querkraft 12.der brandtaucher 13.neue erinnerung 14.les hirondelles
http://www.myspace.com/romecmi
After the 'atmospheric' concerts had ended, the master of stimulating sonic streams – Empusae – installed on the stage.
Sal Ocin released an album „Error 404 Metaphorical loss” - full of dynamism and lucid melodies some time ago and so was his concert in Prague – vital, powerful and full of inner light. Dazzling, pulsating lasers fighting for priority with agile, extremely energetic sounds putting the listener in a hypnotic trance almost naturally and effortlessly and unremitting pace slowly imposed the rhythm. The music of Empusae is not of an obvious kind – pounding, a bit receding rhythms, stubbornly and persistently drilling the sonic structure created a highly consistent, hard-hitting and surprising entity and yet featured a somewhat obscure dainty touch. Very hypnotic. Very intriguing.
The additional advantage of their concert were the dancing strobe lights, changeable pace and the impression of free run of the music.
Bravo for the scenic relaxation – in spite of some technical problems Sal Ocin and Katelijne De Corte remained calm and even smiled :-)
Setlist:
hatred of the tress 2. orix 3. misère (agony / out of question) 4. game of confession 5. urficae 6. (formes de) la puissance
http://www.myspace.com/empusae
http://www.empusae.com/
The penultimate project Raison d'Etre – that is Peter Andersson's child – presented subtle, ambient tones which based on shuffling passages, changeable melodies and gentle, sepia visualizations that matched the atmosphere of mesmerizing, senses-captivating music very well. It sounded like a canvas for the pastel soundscape that was rising and falling interchangeably in an harmonious rhythm.
As to the pieces presented: : the first half an hour was improvised and then we could hear Mouldering the Forlorned (part 1)
and The End of the Key (also improvised).
http://www.myspace.com/detreraison
http://raisondetre.coldmeat.se/
The final was reserved for Xabec. Since I heard he was going to perform (instead of Klangstabil) my happiness was endless (hence the greater disappointment that due to the hours I mentioned, Manuel Richter managed to play just a few pieces).
Manuel is such kind of an artist for whom mastering of the audience's attention seems totally natural... The sounds he creates reach the mind by various paths; they are fragile, subtle and yet so admirable that on entering their realm we have the impression of contemplating something exceptionally precious, easy to frighten away, to destroy... Rarely had I experienced the situation where I'd react to something merely by saying 'beautiful' and then falling silent for the awareness of words insufficiency, but Xabec is able to create the music which defeats all the analytic sense and gets straight to the emotional centre...without barriers, without obstacles. It's elusive, uncontrollable, gentle and yet its power is irresistible. Listening to those sounds was like standing face to face with pure harmony.
It's also worth mentioning that alluring lights, the abundance of instruments used ( gong, fiddlestick, or... a satellite dish :-) perfectly worked together and enriched the sonic effect bringing a peculiar concentration, quietening and silencing state. It was as if Manuel invited us to his private art gallery and shared all the beauty he created with us... Remarkable concert...
... and that's why a brutal interruption of it was so hard to take. Just a few minutes after 10 pm – sound stopped, the music stopped – thank you, good bye...I felt like someone hit me in my head... Pity. I hope I'll have a chance to listen to the whole Xabec concert in the nearest future.
Setlist:
1.Open State 2.Early Morning 3.Snowline 4.Gummaff 5.Silent Sunday 6.If
http://www.myspace.com/xabec
http://www.xabec.com/
Back to the question 'does less mean more'?
The strongest impression of Dark Live Fest 5 was that this time Prague hosted the artists who are masters in building the atmosphere...with the highly limited use of means. As to the presented sounds – it appeared that beauty not necessarily needs flashy harbingers to shout their fame to reveal all its charms. So the answer to the question is „yes” - less means more, but only in the hands of masters.
Wonderful concerts, magnificent impressions... thank you!
And besides – Roman and Jan – happy birthday!!!:):):)
http://www.darklivefest.com/
http://www.myspace.com/darklivefest
