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Wave Gotik Treffen

Unknown to most, a familiar "Black" festival to some others but a must attent festival to those who know and love the gothic/ebm/industrial music scene.

As one of them along with my band of brothers (and sisters) we started our trip to pilgrimage of the Gothic Mecca as referred to by some. And believe me it is.

The preparations:
We had planned this trip from months on. We were going to be there no matter what the band line-up or the weather conditions (if there is a God he must felt sorry for us as the weather was great most of the time). We had booked the tickets, prepared our happenings (going as a Greek Music portal required a bit more organizing to ensure we were going to come back with valuable material to share with our members), reviewed the program and made our favourite list on what to see and were to go and from that point on it was a matter of time (ever noticed how slowly time passes when you expecting for something to happen and everything goes like on a turtleback?).Anticipation building, patience running out but even the last minute something must happen. This time it was the cherry on the cake as our beloved Lucretia decided to join us on the last minute literally.

So with flight going off on Friday early in the morning and Lucretia deciding to come on Thursday our ebm.gr team set to fast forward and had less than 24 hours to help Luc make it. Surprisingly it took us about 4-5 hours to book her on the same flight and on the same hotel (CVR and Legiongr when they want something they just GET IT) and we were finally a team of 8 Dark souls on our 4 day of pilgrimage to the biggest event of its kind in the world.

Friday:
Early in the morning (our flight was taking off at 7) we started gathering to Athens International airport. All dressed in black and with a wide smile on our faces we waited. No feeling was predominant. Joy, Happiness, Anticipation but most of all the feeling of going somewhere with the best company possible ready to have unbelievable fun. And so we started. We flew from Athens and reached Frankfurt on time with enough free time to practice asking for beer before catching our flight to Leipzig.

Upon our arrival in Leipzig, we settled in the hotel and in minutes (record time for us believe me) we where on our way to get our tickets, press and photo passes (the WGT people were kind enough to provide us with passes and a big thanks to them!) and start our wandering. The plan to get the tickets, go first to the famous "Black Market" where all things goth/black/cyber and so on can be found and then beer, food and live performances.

Our first wanderings through the black market left us speechless and in awe. At that precise moment we realized we were going to leave this festival broke and with a lot of extra luggage. After a quick shopping (that is a 2 hour looking and buying) we've hurried back to Werk II in time to see our first live performances while some of us went back to the hotel to leave the stuff we bought. Although we were in time on the doors to get into Werk  we didn't count on the amount of attending people on that stage. So after 1 hour of just waiting in a line and 5-6 people before we get in we found out that the stage was packed and there was no way we could get in. :(

But still with high morale (Greek spirit we like to call it, no not ouzo that is a different kind of spirit :P ) we've send our press pass members (Avatar and Waldgeist) in to take some pics and the rest headed for the nearest pub to drown our sorrow (nice excuse :P ) in food and beer (not necessary in that order).
On our return back to the hotel we've decided to rest, rejuvenate and head out to the parties. Our destinations included the Gay & Lesbian Fetish party as well as the Moritzbastei dj sets.

Saturday:
With the lessons learned from the previous day we've decided to show some Greek organization (not our strongest point) and be wherever  planned for the day. So an early awakening was in order and out of the door for day 2. Following our careful and strategically planned course we went to the city center for food and coffee (First we drink coffee then we change the world as a VNV Nation coffee mug mentions) and then  all roads lead to Agra hall (and next door to the black market off course) for our first live. The show opened by Angels and Agony for a  warming up and they did an excellent work (bringing Darrin Huss from Psyche on stage). Then came Les Anges De La Nuit for a more melodic performance and then Absurd Minds. The crowds warming up for good and good performances following one after the other we were greeted by Orange Sector and a mush pit but the German fans. A small reference here to all the guys in the pit.

A big thanks go out to you guys as it was perfectly organized, no one was hurt, our female members were warned to be cautious and they apologized every time they fell on us (and that was all the time). We had to make our own circle of protection to ensure no one was hurt including our newly met friends (hello Anja and the gang!) and then it was time for Rotersand for a great powerful performance (also calling SITD on stage). Following was a brilliant performance by Psyclon Nine and last but not least Front 242.

Little can be said for Front 242 live performances. They just rule. After that it was time to grab a quick beer, a few moments of relaxation back at the hotel and off to Moritzbastei again to end the night in parties.

Sunday:
The previous day Waldgeist arranged interviews with Grendel and Soman ( thanx to Stephan - the sound engineer of Grendel ) so we knew we had job to do. But an early call from Legiongr to inform us that Rotersand were in our hotel and he had just arranged an interview made the team get ready in minutes and run down to the lobby for the interview (Thank you again guys). The band was great, made us feel like we were old friends sitting down to chat, answered all our questions and withstood our ever annoying photographer (that's me :P ). After 25 minutes we let them go to their new album presentation and we went to continue our daily plans. It was black market again and then quickly to Werk II for the second day of live performances. Lucretia and I quickly went to Agra hall to see The Illusion Fades perform (Greek band very nice performance) and return just in time to squeeze into position for some pictures and dancing.

The live started with a very good set from Heimstatt Yipotash and followed were Muller of death. Then came on the stage Architect and the night was just starting for us. Being one of our favourite bands, and seeing them for the first time perform live we were overjoyed with the performance and from the warren suicide that followed. Soman took the stage for a great set involving some dancers and Lahannya singing to give way to This Morn'Omina. At this point the crowds (including us) were going crazy dancing and singing was all you could see and hear. :) When it was time for Grendel the mush pit started to appear again (giving me many “battle” scars) and with their excellent harsh electronic sound the hall was vibrating from the energy and the sounds (also called the guitarist from Psyclon Nine on stage to perform with them). And for the end it was group therapy in the form of KiEw music (with the help of Jos and Marc from Grendel). :) It was my first time seeing them perform live and I loved every minute of it. (Still trying to find a red straight jacket to buy).

But no... The night was not over yet... After aaaaall that we rushed to Agra for the after midnight Cruxshadows special. Now... Cruxshadows been one of my favourite bands there is little I can say and describe their performance. After the Cruxshadows we stayed in Agra for the parties and dj sets. Then it was time to rest because Monday was a shopping day since we knew we had no time to see a live (we were flying back early).

Monday:
So after a good breakfast it was shop till you drop time. It was our final good bye to the festival and as we wandered around the stalls of the market in our heads we already made plans for next year. In a way it was good that we had to leave... Festivals like this are supposed to be a limited time experience and always leave you wanting more... and that was exactly how we all felt. We wanted more live performances, more parties and more black dressed people as far as the eye can see to make you feel like home (that was home for us).

Epilogue:
When we started this trip we couldn't stop laughing. Jokes and good mood was all around all the time. In Germany it was the same. Just a bunch of people laughing and dancing all the time no matter what time of day it was or how tired we were... Even when we almost missed our flight back we laughed as much as we could. Music, good friends and some food and drink is all I need to survive after all... :) and I’m happy that I have them all. :)

CVR7.0, Psyboom, Lucretia, Legiongr, Waldgeist, Siren and Avatar or Christofore, Tatiana, Stella, Vaggeli, Eva, Katerina and Niko. Thank you.  This journey would not be such an awesome experience if it wasn't with you 7 crazy lot. You all rule :)

...without tears in my face but with scars in my heart....

Till next year...

Anastasios
a.k.a. Cipher

and the www.EBM.gr team

P.S. 1: A Big thank you to all the people that allowed us to take them pictures. :)

P.S. 2: A video mix from WGT 2007 is available in our video section .  

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