You can support Terra Relicta by donating! Please, do so, and thank you!
On the last Saturday in October, Kulturni Dom Prosek Kontovel (Prosecco, Italy) hosted the third edition of "Still We Dark", and, of course, Terra Relicta was there. The event, featuring five bands: Rome, Italy-based Milena Medu, Slovenian Lilith Cage, north-east Italian Der Himmel, Livorno, Italy-based Velvet Vega, and Udine, Italy-based Sun's Spectrum, started at 18.00 [CEST], although the first performance began around 21.00. Having over two hours to kill, we attended the rehearsals. Well, we would have come later if we were familiar with "the process". We will keep this in mind for the next year, I guess.
For starters, it was quite unusual to fill in the form with so much personal data only to get in. And it was only a concert - a smaller one - not some excursion through NASA facilities.
I wasn't familiar with most bands, except for Der Himmel, once known as Der Himmel Über Berlin, but I was pleasantly surprised. First on the stage - a singer, songwriter and poet Milena Medu, with her mixture of electronic, experimental, downtempo, synthpop, trip-hop and a pinch of folk music. At the time, there were only about 30 to 40 people in the hall. Among some others, we got to hear songs from her latest EP, I See You, released in June. I was most impressed by her last performed song, "Fiume" (translated from Italian: river). I don't know why, but it made me think of the river Soča (the emerald one, which once hosted Metalcamp and Metaldays festivals and now Tolminator) as Slovenian poet Simon Gregorčič saw it in 1879: "Tod sekla bridka bodo jekla, in ti mi boš krvava tekla" (Here, sharp knives will be steel, and you will run bloody). In the poem, many people see the poet's vision of World War I and the Soča battles. Later, I read the lyrics and realized it was a love song. Whatever, it's beautiful.
The next, Slovenian new wave/post-punk with touches of darkwave, goth and psychedelic rock, Lilith Cage. Relatively new band, established in 2017 by acclaimed musicians: Lili Žigo (vocals), Vili Domijan (guitar), Matjaž Pegam (drums), and Tomi Tršar (bass). The band played some songs from its debut album, Shadows (released in June 2021), and some completely new ones. Most importantly, the four members, starting with the singer, offered a very spontaneously playful performance, which brought the now more massive audience into a more responsive atmosphere. (check out the live video over HERE)
Post-punk/gothic rock Der Himmel fired up the already well-warmed audience even more in the now well-filled hall. Starting and finishing with its 2017 Amnesia album, what Der Himmel delivered was one hell of a performance: charismatic and energetic from the beginning till the end. And with the final song, much extended, though, "Cold Fever", it seemed like there would be no end (and I wouldn't mind at all). The band members left the stage one by one: first the singer, then the guitarist - after his solo, which he concluded by playing the guitar on the floor, similarly the bassist next, and finally the drummer. (check out the live video over HERE)
Synthwave/darkwave duo Velvet Vega unfortunately broke a series of successful appearances. The music sounded fine, but with the vocals, it became annoying. To me, to the point I left the building for some time. I don't know what went wrong, but something most definitely did. When I returned about twenty minutes later, it was a little better, especially the last two songs. People seemed to enjoy this performance as well, many dancing.
The last on the stage was Sun's Spectrum and its distorted synth sounds, melancholic atmospheres and heavy techno beats. Influenced by Depeche Mode, I'd add. I found it unique, and I liked what I heard. Although the highlight of the show was Visage's "Fade To Grey" cover, the audience was excited through the whole Sun's Spectrum performance. Too bad for me, I was already half asleep and eager to go to sleep, so my focus was elsewhere. Since the band is releasing a new album, The Silence After The Fall, on 17 November, I'll probably get another chance to hear it live.
I must admit that the Still We Dark Vol. III event exceeded my expectations. It was a pleasant evening of good music despite minor problems with the sound system, with DJ-ing (Elenoir and The Moonlight Society) before, after and in between shows. The promoters - MOLD Records, The Moonlight Society and Associazione Never In - did a great job. We hope for Still We Dark Vol. IV, and to be invited, of course. Regards, Jerneja
Report by Jerneja
Photos/video by Tomaz
Links: Milena Medu, Lilith Cage, Der Himmel, Velvet Vega, Sun's Spectrum
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
