6.FOURSCHER Festival 2024, held at Erfurt’s Club From Hell, delivered a visceral weekend that redefined what a live electronic music experience could be – at least for me, the first timer there. I’d heard a lot of great things about the event and this year I finally made it to the place – after 8-hour flixdrive, but it was totally worth it. This year’s lineup brought together pioneers and emerging talents from across the industrial, EBM, and dark electronic scenes, creating a meticulously crafted tapestry of sound that was both challenging and exhilarating. The festival served as a dynamic showcase of the genre’s versatility, from introspective, ambient compositions to the visceral punch of dance-driven EBM. 
If I were to describe my lasting impressions of the festival, it would be that it’s not only about a great, carefully selected lineup but, above all, about a uniquely warm, family-like atmosphere that I’ve never experienced so intensely anywhere else. Even though it was my first time attending, I felt completely at home—welcomed, safe, and genuinely happy. The crowd was one of the friendliest, nicest, and most engaging I’ve ever met, great for both conversations and having fun together.
While watching bands deliver incredible shows was amazing, it was the people who truly made this event stand out. This is why my report will focus on general impressions rather than pros and cons of each show—I was so moved by the overall atmosphere that the human factor was the biggest highlight of the entire event.
I believe this is thanks to the organizers, Danny and Andreas, who genuinely pour their hearts into the festival, ensuring everyone feels personally looked after. Kudos to you both!
With that said, let’s move on to some music-related details.

The whole thing started on Friday with Schuby’s birthday party which I unfortunately missed due to the lenght of the journey. Heard it was fun though. 
https://www.edriver69.com/fourscher/
https://www.clubfromhell.de/

Saturday: A Hauntingly Powerful Opener
Saturday night opened with Pyrroline, the German duo whose music is celebrated for its emotive depth and atmospheric richness. Their live performance didn’t just introduce the festival; it immersed the audience in a haunting world of dark electro and introspective soundscapes. Pyrroline’s music is less about delivering hard beats and more about weaving a story, inviting listeners on a journey through inner conflicts, healing, and transformation. This was felt acutely in the way the audience responded, lost in the layers of their music, which felt both deeply personal and cinematic. Each track seemed to build upon the last, leading to a hypnotic experience that left a lasting impression. During the show there was a special appearance of Martin Sane (Fix8:Sed8) on vocals that added to the already great quality of the show. 
https://www.facebook.com/arnteANDschmoun

Following Pyrroline, Spherical Disrupted took the stage, pulling the audience into a vast, almost otherworldly landscape crafted from ambient, industrial sounds. Known for his mastery of textures, Spherical Disrupted blurred the lines between music and environment. Their set was deeply immersive, drawing from dark drones and hypnotic beats that mirrored an eerie technological desolation. This was music designed not just to be heard but felt, as each layer seemed to interact with the atmosphere of the room, enhancing the audience’s sense of isolation and introspection. Mirko Planck’s set was a standout, showcasing how minimalist composition can be deeply powerful, pulling the crowd into a meditative state that lingered long after. As a special guest we had Tino Claus (Amnistia, TC75 ner/ogris) on stage adding a little extra aggression and emotions to the industrial set prepared by Mirko.
https://www.facebook.com/sphericaldisrupted
Setlist;
1. Transneptunian Objects
2. Solar Luminosity
3. Accretion Disc
4. X-Ray Flare
5. Crust
6. Adrastea
7. Basalt (Spherical Disrupted And TC75)

The Juggernauts shifted gears with their high-energy, no-holds-barred take on old-school EBM. This Belgian trio injected fresh life into classic beats with fierce intensity, channeling EBM’s primal spirit while also infusing it with modern production. The heavy, aggressive beats and raw vocals kept the crowd on their feet, fully engaged in the throbbing rhythms that define The Juggernauts’ live sound. Their presence was unfiltered and unapologetic, with each track hammering the essence of EBM into the bones of everyone present. Of course, what could not skip attention were their characteristic outfits and specific performance entourage – a kind of their trademark.
https://www.facebook.com/TheJuggernauts
Setlist:
01. Intro 
02. Damaged Illusions
03. Fear (12"remix)
04. Infected
05. Phoenix 
06. Purge
07. End of Time
08. Fear (EBM remix) 
09. Follow 
10. Snitch Bitch

The night continued with Cardinal Noire, whose set brought an atmospheric harshness that felt almost otherworldly. Hailing from Finland, Cardinal Noire’s music was an exploration of isolation, dystopian landscapes, and raw power. Their fusion of industrial beats with futuristic production created an experience that was both beautiful and brutal, with themes of societal decay woven through each track. Their immersive approach pulled the audience deep into their world, creating a haunting backdrop that added layers of complexity to the night’s lineup. I must say I was deeply moved by the vocalist’s intensive, aggressive almost painfully visceral scenic mode; he indeed gave his whole self on stage and the emotional impact he made was one of a kind. 
https://www.facebook.com/CardinalNoire
Setlist;
1 gun metal
2 plague eviction
3 killshelter
4 narkomat
5 useful idiot
6 the swans
7 mkiv eternal
8 vitriol
9 diatribe
10 inquisition (SP cover)

Closing out the first night, Sarin took to the stage with an explosive set that transformed the room into an industrial dance floor. Known for their intense, high-energy style, Sarin’s music is a relentless mix of hard beats and dark, driving rhythms. Their performance was pure energy, pushing the crowd to the edge with a relentless pace that made for an electrifying finale. 

DJ dRiLL took over with an afterparty that kept the adrenaline pumping until 3 a.m., leaving the audience both exhausted and exhilarated after a night of intense industrial and EBM. For the first time in many years, I stayed and actually enjoyed the afterparty. As for the antics that took place on the dancefloor… let’s just say they’ll remain shrouded in veils of silence, mercifully unmentioned in this review for the sake of everyone’s well-being and peace of mind.

Sunday: A Journey into the Dark and Experimental

Sunday’s shift in tone was palpable as Amnistia took to the stage, opening the day with a set that drew on the raw, introspective undercurrents of industrial and EBM. I’d seen them perform before, but this time something struck me more profoundly. It was as if their mastery had reached a new level, and I was swept up in the sheer power and intensity radiating from the stage. The interplay between Tino and Stefan seemed especially electric, with a unique energy exchange that drew the audience deeper into their world.
Tino’s performance style was as intense and immersive as ever. His impassioned engagement with each track merged paradoxically with the precision and almost mathematical perfection of their sound, creating a synergy that was at once mesmerizing and disorienting. Each song felt like a raw, emotional dive, as Amnistia wove themes of loss, redemption, and resilience into a sonic experience that resonated on a visceral level. Their message seemed sharper this time, cutting through to the core and leaving a profound impact. In short, Amnistia's set stood out as more than a polished production—it was an early highlight of the day, and a testament to the depth and nuance they bring to industrial music.
https://www.facebook.com/AMN.official
Setlist:
Init / Nothing Box (live premiere)
New Demons
Tightrope (live premiere)
Sacrifice
Creatures
The Dark's Sweet Kiss (live premiere)
Phoenix Rising (live premiere)
The Nature of Man
Song of Blood

Data Void followed with a powerful set that brought an edgy, darker, techno-infused vibe to the festival’s lineup. It was my first time seeing this project live, and with James Mendez—whom I knew from his work with Jihad—at the helm, it was incredible to witness an album I’ve cherished come to life on stage. The experience exceeded my expectations, and I couldn’t resist letting the music pull me in entirely, dancing and feeling the music reverberate through me.
James’s performative style is strikingly effective. He maintains a cool, understated presence, never overly theatrical, yet his delivery packs a punch. His sound—a powerhouse of dark, grinding rhythms and eerie atmospheric layers—transports you. Data Void’s set felt like an intense, almost cinematic glimpse into a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world, one where technology and humanity exist in a strained, uneasy balance. The dark, pulsing beats and haunting textures created an immersive experience, pulling the crowd into a space that was simultaneously exhilarating and unsettling.
In all, Data Void’s live debut for me was unforgettable, a visceral journey into the depths of electronic music's darker realms that left the crowd mesmerized and craving more.
https://www.facebook.com/officialdatavoid

Moving on, for me, Amorphous’s show was undeniably one of the festival’s standout performances, perhaps even the best. I had seen Amorphous perform during Fixed on Black back in 2022in Dresden but this time, with Gil bringing his latest album Skepticism to the stage, the experience reached an entirely new level. Gil has everything needed to captivate an audience: immense skill in producing mesmerizing music, a charismatic presence, a unique sense of style, and stage movements that radiate with an inner power, instantly drawing in those watching.
The music itself was simply brilliant—a hypnotic, entrancing blend of electro, industrial, and trance elements that was almost impossible to resist. Gil has this incredible knack for layering these genres in a way that is profoundly immersive, leaving you mesmerized and entranced as the beats and rhythms take hold. This show was a pure journey, a deep dive into sound that didn’t just entertain—it enveloped.
Every element of Gil’s performance was calculated but deeply engaging, his energy radiating from the stage and connecting with the crowd on a visceral level. His ability to seamlessly weave different musical styles created a sonic landscape that was as hypnotic as it was powerful. The whole set felt like an invitation to surrender to the music, to let go and be consumed by the layers of sound. Bravo, Gil! This was a performance that demonstrated what’s possible when technical mastery meets raw, unfiltered energy—an unforgettable, entrancing experience.
For those looking to venture into experimental sounds, this set was a prime example of where industrial and electronic music can go beyond the expected, pushing boundaries and delivering a profoundly moving experience.
https://www.facebook.com/amorphous.sound
Setlist:
1.out of the abyss
2.algorithm
3.brutalism
4.cyber futurism
5.virtual uprising
6.technology & control (instrumental)
7.enotional dissonance
8.backfired
9.broken mirror
10.episode
11.blackout

The grand finale was brought by Haujobb, a name that needs no introduction for fans of industrial and electronic music. Haujobb’s set was a masterclass in sophisticated, layered electronic soundscapes, blending industrial, IDM, and ambient elements in a way that was both complex and accessible. With decades of experience, Haujobb’s performance felt like a journey through the evolution of electronic music itself. From atmospheric passages to deeply rhythmic segments, their set showcased not only their technical prowess but also their artistic vision, making for a fitting conclusion to the weekend.
https://www.facebook.com/haujobbmusic

Final Thoughts: A True Fest for the Dark Music Community
FOURSCHER Festival 2024 succeeded not only in curating a lineup that celebrated the breadth and diversity of dark electronic music but also in creating an environment that was both intimate and electrifying. The Club From Hell venue in Erfurt proved to be the ideal backdrop, adding a nice, underground vibe that perfectly complemented the music. The crowd, a blend of die-hard fans and curious newcomers, added to the festival’s unique energy, with each performance creating moments of connection and shared experience that underscored the enduring appeal of these genres.
By offering a lineup that spanned classic EBM, atmospheric industrial, and experimental noise, FOURSCHER 2024 reaffirmed its place as a must-attend event for anyone passionate about the darker edges of electronic music. This was more than a festival; it was a deep dive into the soul of industrial and EBM, an invitation to explore, connect, and be transformed by the power of music. 
Thank you!

Author: khocico
Translator: khocico
Add date: 2024-11-05 / Live reports