LIT – Alternative Blogzine

KONTRAST – this name is the band’s reputation: For more than a decade, the four sound fiddlers have looked at the dark scene with a twinkle in their eyes.

Back in 1996, when they still called themselves ISECS, they already created a true independent classic with their song «Einheitsschritt – 3 Schritte vor und 3 zuruck» («Uniform Dance – 3 Steps Forwards And 3 Steps Back») which still belongs to the standard repertoire of every dark DJ.

However, the foundation stone of the KONTRAST-walling was already laid in 1992 by Dirk (compositions) and Roberto (lyrics, vocals) before Falko (sounds, mixing) and Lexi (production) finished the building in 1995 and in 2001. With «Tod … find’ ich gut!» («Death’s The Way, Uhu, Uhu, I Like It!», 1998), «Der Formulator» («The Formulator», 2002) and «Nr. 1 in der Halle» («No. 1 in Hell», 2004), the «electric four» hit the dance floors again and strengthened their reputation as «executioners of black humor».

But the fact that KONTRAST cannot only be mordant but also full of feeling finally leaked out in 1999: «Freiheit?» («Freedom?»), recorded with guest singer Ivi (from Spiritual Cramp), is a touching duet of goodbye which consequently rose to be a mid-tempo hit in numerous clubs. The disarmingly honest, deep look into failed relationships also distinguishes the power ballad «Eisberg» («Iceberg», 2004) and the title song of the maxi single «Versprochen?» («Promised», 2003, with guest singer Nebelgeist).
Since the success of «Einheitsschritt», the «electronic dance band» KONTRAST has regularly toured the concert stages of Germany: At far more than 50 performances so far, the quartet delighted the audience as support of e.g. Funker Vogt, Clan Of Xymox, Joachim Witt, die Untoten, The Cruxshadows and Kirlian Camera. Their lovingly designed stage show and the entertainment qualities of lead singer Roberto even convinced the dark-romantics of Illuminate: To celebrate the release of the KONTRAST album «Industrie<>Romantik» («Industry<>Romance»), they gladly accepted the invitation to perform after KONTRAST on a whole tour.

Of course, KONTRAST also keep close contact to the outside world in the time without concerts, too: Each month they offer a rarity from their sound archives as a free and legal full-length download on their homepage www.einheitsschritt.de. A humorous weblog, a frequently visited temple of consumerism and an own online music magazine elegantly round out the detailed Internet presence. Urgent news are furthermore regularly sent out to far more than 300 fans by newsletter.
The compositions for the new album of KONTRAST were written in the wintry seclusion of a holiday village at the North Sea at the end of 2005. During numerous sessions in different studios, Dirk, Roberto, Falko and Lexi have henceforth been giving them their final touch.

Tracklist:
01 80er Jahre
02 Durchbruch
03 Lichtbildkunst
04 Was ist das Ziel?
05 Kosmonautenmelodie
06 Fur immer vorbei
07 Vision und Tradition
08 Deutsches Land
09 Oranienburg
10 Dunkle Gestalten
11 Moogland
12 Nebelschwaden
13 Der Prophet
14 Im utherwellenstudio

Band-Member:
Dirk (Komposition + Keyboards)
Roberto (Texte + Gesang)
Falko (Keyboards + Technik)
Lexi (Produktion + Promotion)

Release-Date:
Oktober 24th, 2008

Distribution:
www.dansemacabre-group.com

Label:
Danse Macabre

Kontrast-Website:
www.einheitsschritt.de

Kontrast-Myspace:
www.myspace.com/kontrasteinheitsschritt