2 years ago this event was announced: EBM Night in Liège. What should have taken place on 7th November 2020 has been postponed to 22nd October 2022. The bug, you know...
“Le Garage Creative Music”, the name of the venue, lived up to its title. It was an evening filled with creativity, musical highlights but most of all friendship and happiness.
Just walking in gave a great first impression. The 'garage' can be taken literally: a concrete (small) space behind a roll-door, with the counter in the corridor. Literally in the corridor... Capacity of approx 200 I guess and we will get close to that.
Remarkable: the locals are there and some have even crossed the language barrier and came from Flanders. And with reason because this bill promises some goodies for those who have a heart for EBM and harsher beats.
First up is Wülf7. Our country is already familiar with this gang: after, amongst others, some great appearances in Sint-Niklaas (EBM-night by Body Beats) and Bruges (together with The Juggernauts), we know they step up to the mark for a party. And although it was clear that vocalist Seb was not feeling 100%, teammate CyrbVIII assured the ambiance. The moment that Cyrb's daughter joined the stage was impressive and they both took the mic for "In what name". Moments like these are there to be treasured, most definately when you're playing a home game. It was a good set with the pumping tracks we expected. First sweat runs down the back... and it has only just begun!
Setlist:
Wülf 7
Child soldier
In what name
Humanity
W.A.W.W.A.
Ephemeral human
Fight
I don’t want
Morbide
Wolf
EBM Nation
After Wülf7, it was time for a second local band to take the stage. And this was one I will not forget rapidly... WHAT WAS THAT !!! And I mean this in the most positive way possible. Deleritas is a TORNADO. They rage from intro to the last track with hard beats (played live on drums) and arrangements without compromise. A lot of respect for what they do but that drummer... The BPM I do not dare to ask but I was having cramps in his place. Think Feindflug, think Hocico and in the same breath say Deleritas... Why in God's name are these guys not known? Why do I discover them only now? Give these guys a stage on weekly basis because they deserve it. To be graphic: they grab you by the balls, twist a few times and don't let go until the last note. No vocals, no lyrics, no 'hello we are...', no bla bla... Just 'bang' straight ahead. And this 45 minutes long.
And it's clear I'm not the only enthusiast in the room. The garage is now quite full and I see some Deleritas shirts... They have a local fanbase that raises the temperature some extra degrees driven by the pumping music. Search for them, book them... Show them all corners of the country because they will show you all corners of the room during the ride!
Setlist:
Intro
Faciem Abyssi
Somnum Exterri Solebat
Driven By Fear
Miroir
Duality
Spielplatz
A brand New Apocalypse
Rumble Handling
Jour du Saigneur
Quarantine 1.2
After this bang I tried to have a little rest but soon enough (and strictly on schedule), organisor Benoit aka Dreadfool starts his set. He already had a part on stage as the drummer of Wülf7 but now he can really unleash the devil inside him. He is a stage human. He knows how to bring you into his story and grabs our truth from the first minute. Impressive how one person alone can lead us in this way. As organisor of the evening, just going on stage between all the practical stuff and deliver a great set is admirable. What energy! Heads up for Benoit!
Setlist:
Under Atomic skies
Burning
Death
Gasoline
Missile
Flesh/Soul
Disarm
Weaponized Drones
AKR
Headliner of the evening was Akalotz. This German duo came conquering our region already just before summer in Retie (an evening by Dark Balloon, also with Wülf7) with a super tight set. So expectations were high, even though in Retie the crowd was not there.
They did not disappoint. Vocalist Thorsten and drummer Nico know how to deliver a great show again where they 'in the mix' throw in some new tracks. Although Akalotz has some fanbase in their homeland of Germany, they do not get the credit they deserve. Their music is good... very good even... and they deserve a bigger stage with more audience. The ambiance was OK and there was some movemen but in a way you could feel the majority of the crowd just came for the local heroes. A pity because those who did stay got a super gig. EBM as it should be with pounding beats and a vocalist who has something to say.
Setlist:
Intro
Time to destroy
Angry body machine
Count to crash
Contra
No signal response
Dark on fall
Canting monger
Mind control
Mirage over limit
New age
Warzone
BCB
Atac!
The planned afterparty was a flop. It's a pitiful tragedy to see how people almost run out, once the last whistle is blown. A last beer to support the organisation is a bridge too far. Something to do with the crisis and expensive life I guess. So we head to the hotel some earlier than expected. Driving back will be for tomorrow because the feet say no. Something we planned with a bill ike this.
The garage is a great location. It is not AB or The Casino but a cosy small venue with a soul. No, the sound was not always 100% pitch perfect and no it is not the most state-of-the-art concert room, but hell: this building has some character... It was worth the long ride. In January there is a new festival with an equal style of bill. I have a crazy idea: why don't you come party along?