Kartagon is healed, that is a few words about „In The Clinic” and more
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Galleries:
- Wave Gotik Treffen 2013 - 2013-05-22 (Festivals)
- Schlagstrom! Festival 2011 - 2011-10-28 (Festivals)
- Slave Stage - 2006-02-19 (Gigs)
My reviews are usually avery personal, probably due to the fact that albums are assesed very subjectively and personally – what else! This is no exception. I dared also write a few words about Kartagon - a reminder for everyone who is familiar with it, if someone is not - it’s worth of interest.
Kartagon is one of the bands I had oportunity to aquaint myself with around 2003, it was in the begining of my fascination with music overall known as future-dark electro. In 2003 gentlemen Johannes Barnes and Thomas Daverio from Basel, Switzerland, under the name Kartagon released absolutely fantastic single Pure Love, promoting their debut album Natural Instinct. But musicians themselves were not debuting at all. Previously were known as Panic On The Titanic with three LP released.
However, right after the release of Natural Instinct, Kartagon faded in a way. Thomas focused on making remixes for various artists (some of them are available on the remix compilation CD "Eine Nacht im Bergwerk - DJ Francois vs Kartagon / The Remix Collection") and intensively collaborated in the Swiss band FAQ (from 2003-2009), including the production of 2 albums. Got back with healed Kartagon to the studio in the beginning of 2011, and started working on new material, which finally was released 7.06.2013 and titled In The Clinic.
In May this year at pre-opening WGT party in Leipzig, Kartagon presented new material. I was one of the lucky ones having an opportunity to participate in this eminent event. Although there were no fireworks during the concert, because the scheme is already well known, that is: keyboarders whose moves are quite strictly restricted, so the contact with audience is almost none, and the vocalist on whom falls the whole responsibility of obtaining and maintaining that contact and still he has to sing ;) Johannes lived up really well with such a high-ranked job: spark in the eye, intimidating smile plus low, strong, male vocal – all this indeed won my attention. I might add that especially for female part of audience there is somebody to clap eyes on. I was blown away!
The icing on the cake was accidental and incredibly pleasant encounter wtih the gentlemen from Kartagon in front of the stage during Decoded Feedback show the next day. It has been revealed – we have alike music taste ha! After few favorable comments to theirs last night show, under of gratidute or what is more likely – they had no space for CD’s in their pockets ;) we received brand new smelly "In The Clinic" album and almost month before premiere! You can imagine banana-smile on my face. Since there album has been slided out of the CD-player in my car. Not only because of this accidental pleasant obtainment, but also because it is really good! And what is more, this is an excellent production. Nothing surprising, since responsible for production and mixing of the record was one and recently ubiquitous Daniel Myer!
Getting straight to the point.
Album contains two CDs and interesting in itself kind of zombie-matrix layout, made by Mischa Kammermann, a cartoon artist from Basel. Unfortunately, which I regret, because I like to know what exactly my favorite ones sing about, the booklet does not contain full lyrics, only fragments. Well, I will have to listen to it deeply. The cover obliges, so nobody sings about flowers, rainbows and raptures of love. There is longing, anger, missunderstanding, isolation and tough love – all this what children from the dark side of the moon understand and love the most. ;)
Distinctive deep Hannes’ vocal indeed perfectly edited by Paul Kendall itself. Very male and attractive vocal, work perfect live. I pay attention to this because the album differs from the previous one, in which the vocal was a bit hoarse and not so ‘clear’. For me this is the strongest part of the whole new production! Besides, aforementioned Daniel Myer, they invited a bunch of interesting people to contribute to the new album: Tilo Wolff (Lacrimosa) as a guest-vocalist on the song Messiah, Swiss pop-soul singer NUBYA for the same on the song One Day and for example to remix this one Patenbrigade Wolff.
The beginning of the album is absolutely fantastic, where the first 4 songs create a kind of a whole, passing one by one silently but dynamically. It goes that way until to One Day where the album seems to be losing its cohesion, but not quality. My Sanity is absolutely my favourite! In Daniel Meyer’s remix it is even more energetic – floorkiller, I’m telling you. Low clear Hannes’ voice and a catchy chorus – addtictive, eats into brain and then you’re walking humming the tune half a day but do not want to change the disc at all. What is more, an excellent clip was filmed to this track, made by well-known Boris May (Klangstabil)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VhTTqxrYyY
Perfectly produced future-dark pop album, containing synthetic tracks pumped up by dynamic, club beats. We do not find here anything new, but I assure you that one can find very decent tracks inbetween seemingly boring loops and bass lines. The tracks, which one will come back to with great pleasure.
Tracklist:
CD1
1. Believer (Intro)
2. Believer
3. My Sanity (Hotline)
4. My Sanity
5. One Day
6. Rescue Me
7. Messiah
8. Sons Of Bleeding Skies
9. I Am The One
10. 37°C
11. Enemy Inside
12. My Own World
13. Red Tears
CD2
1. My Sanity (DANIEL MYER Remix)
2. Red Teards (ROTERSAND Remix)
3. One Day (Album Version)
4. One Day (Alternative Version)
5. One Day (PATENBRIGADE WOLFF Remix)
6. One Day (IRRLICHT Remix)
7. One Day (Dark Disco Mix by DSX)
Distributed by thexoomo.net / Broken Silence
Other articles:
Kartagon is one of the bands I had oportunity to aquaint myself with around 2003, it was in the begining of my fascination with music overall known as future-dark electro. In 2003 gentlemen Johannes Barnes and Thomas Daverio from Basel, Switzerland, under the name Kartagon released absolutely fantastic single Pure Love, promoting their debut album Natural Instinct. But musicians themselves were not debuting at all. Previously were known as Panic On The Titanic with three LP released.
However, right after the release of Natural Instinct, Kartagon faded in a way. Thomas focused on making remixes for various artists (some of them are available on the remix compilation CD "Eine Nacht im Bergwerk - DJ Francois vs Kartagon / The Remix Collection") and intensively collaborated in the Swiss band FAQ (from 2003-2009), including the production of 2 albums. Got back with healed Kartagon to the studio in the beginning of 2011, and started working on new material, which finally was released 7.06.2013 and titled In The Clinic.
In May this year at pre-opening WGT party in Leipzig, Kartagon presented new material. I was one of the lucky ones having an opportunity to participate in this eminent event. Although there were no fireworks during the concert, because the scheme is already well known, that is: keyboarders whose moves are quite strictly restricted, so the contact with audience is almost none, and the vocalist on whom falls the whole responsibility of obtaining and maintaining that contact and still he has to sing ;) Johannes lived up really well with such a high-ranked job: spark in the eye, intimidating smile plus low, strong, male vocal – all this indeed won my attention. I might add that especially for female part of audience there is somebody to clap eyes on. I was blown away!
The icing on the cake was accidental and incredibly pleasant encounter wtih the gentlemen from Kartagon in front of the stage during Decoded Feedback show the next day. It has been revealed – we have alike music taste ha! After few favorable comments to theirs last night show, under of gratidute or what is more likely – they had no space for CD’s in their pockets ;) we received brand new smelly "In The Clinic" album and almost month before premiere! You can imagine banana-smile on my face. Since there album has been slided out of the CD-player in my car. Not only because of this accidental pleasant obtainment, but also because it is really good! And what is more, this is an excellent production. Nothing surprising, since responsible for production and mixing of the record was one and recently ubiquitous Daniel Myer!
Getting straight to the point.
Album contains two CDs and interesting in itself kind of zombie-matrix layout, made by Mischa Kammermann, a cartoon artist from Basel. Unfortunately, which I regret, because I like to know what exactly my favorite ones sing about, the booklet does not contain full lyrics, only fragments. Well, I will have to listen to it deeply. The cover obliges, so nobody sings about flowers, rainbows and raptures of love. There is longing, anger, missunderstanding, isolation and tough love – all this what children from the dark side of the moon understand and love the most. ;)
Distinctive deep Hannes’ vocal indeed perfectly edited by Paul Kendall itself. Very male and attractive vocal, work perfect live. I pay attention to this because the album differs from the previous one, in which the vocal was a bit hoarse and not so ‘clear’. For me this is the strongest part of the whole new production! Besides, aforementioned Daniel Myer, they invited a bunch of interesting people to contribute to the new album: Tilo Wolff (Lacrimosa) as a guest-vocalist on the song Messiah, Swiss pop-soul singer NUBYA for the same on the song One Day and for example to remix this one Patenbrigade Wolff.
The beginning of the album is absolutely fantastic, where the first 4 songs create a kind of a whole, passing one by one silently but dynamically. It goes that way until to One Day where the album seems to be losing its cohesion, but not quality. My Sanity is absolutely my favourite! In Daniel Meyer’s remix it is even more energetic – floorkiller, I’m telling you. Low clear Hannes’ voice and a catchy chorus – addtictive, eats into brain and then you’re walking humming the tune half a day but do not want to change the disc at all. What is more, an excellent clip was filmed to this track, made by well-known Boris May (Klangstabil)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VhTTqxrYyY
Perfectly produced future-dark pop album, containing synthetic tracks pumped up by dynamic, club beats. We do not find here anything new, but I assure you that one can find very decent tracks inbetween seemingly boring loops and bass lines. The tracks, which one will come back to with great pleasure.
Tracklist:
CD1
1. Believer (Intro)
2. Believer
3. My Sanity (Hotline)
4. My Sanity
5. One Day
6. Rescue Me
7. Messiah
8. Sons Of Bleeding Skies
9. I Am The One
10. 37°C
11. Enemy Inside
12. My Own World
13. Red Tears
CD2
1. My Sanity (DANIEL MYER Remix)
2. Red Teards (ROTERSAND Remix)
3. One Day (Album Version)
4. One Day (Alternative Version)
5. One Day (PATENBRIGADE WOLFF Remix)
6. One Day (IRRLICHT Remix)
7. One Day (Dark Disco Mix by DSX)
Distributed by thexoomo.net / Broken Silence
Other articles:
- Wave Gotik Treffen 2014 - 2014-07-03 (Live reports)
