Closterkeller:
Closterkeller is a leading exponent of the current of so called „atmospheric rock” on the Polish stage. They were founded in 1988, playing heavy music in the British “new wave” vein. They appeared at many competitions as a young group. Initially unsuccessful, they developed fast and the following year 1989 belonged to them. They won all the big national music awards.
During their 19 year career the band attained the appellation of a cult group on the Polish stage. The circle of those who enjoy listening to Closterkeller is very wide. They are loved by young and old alike, those who come to the concerts are followers of rock, gothic, metal and even pop music. This undoubtedly stems from the stylistic variety of the band’s hits.
From their debut the band’s music has evolved from a morbid cold sound, though a flirtation with heavy metal, to psychodelic, even “twisted” rock with gothic overtones.
Despite the variety, Closterkeller possesses its own, easily identifiable, characteristic style, and sets itself apart from others in the premier division of Polish rock music. For many years they have been consistently amongst the most popular rock groups, despite the fact that they play a style of music which is more difficult and more ambitious, and even though their main strength lies typically in heavier, more mystical pieces (we recommend Violette, A ona, ona, Cisza w jej domu and Grzech). they have promoted a number of big hits such as: W moim kraju, Agnieszka, Scarlett, Na krawedzi, Czas komety and Wladza.
Closterkeller has performed many times, very successfully, on the largest concert stages in Poland (as well as supporting international stars such as Jethro Tull, Cocteau Twins and Paradise Lost), their music videos are shown on Polish TV screens, and interviews appear in the biggest publications (and not only the music press).
It is worth remembering that “Cyan” was the first Polish music CD to contain extra features including photos and many more interesting facts about the group. From then on all their consequent releases contained multimedia.
The end of 2000 brought the sectional medley “Pastel.” The publishers cut two disks, a CD called “Past” and a multimedia disk “El”. “Past” is a typical mix, like a “Best of...” whilst on “El” we find an enormous amount of information about the band, amongst others an interview with Anja, made in the form of a short film, photos, a video, and previously unrealeased titbits in mp3 format, coming from various moments in the band’s history. The album received a great reception from the fans, especially the multimedia package.
In 2002 the band played very well recieved gigs at the gothic festiwal in Vienna (Dark Nation Day) and in Budapest (Gothic Night). In December 2002, at the prompting of the company Metal Mind, Anja recorded English versions of the hits from the “Graphite” album. It was released on th 10th February 2003 and after the first airing, everyone was stupified to hear that Anja actually sang better than on the Polish language version.
This is tangible, or rather audible proof of her constantly developing vocal talent. The English versions don’t diminish the important values of the works, rather give them a new dimension.
In August Closterkeller’s first DVD was released, entitled Act III – Live 2003. It is a record of the concert played on the 11th April 2003 at the TV building in Cracow. It was an exceptional concert, beautiful and saturated with everything that is best about Closterkeller. Next to the group’s classical works, we heard new songs, heralding the new work – Nero.
Apart from this on the DVD, we also find a number of music videos, fragments of old concerts with the old line up, as well as interviews, text, photos and other extras.
In June the band travelled to Germany to take part in the biggest gothic festival, Wave Gotik Treffen, which takes place in July. Professionalism and continued artistic passion made a great impression on the audience.
The studio album “Nero” came to life on the 16th October 2003. It appeared in two versions, a digipack and a “jewel box”. In the jewel box you can find a multimedia presentation of the group’s works to date, the music video for the song Poza granica dotyku and a so called heavy version of Ktokolwiek wie, whereas the digipack version contains a lighter version of Ktokolwiek widzial, and an extra track, Grzech with new arrangement.
With this album Closterkeller have confirmed their dominant position on the dark music scene in Poland. “Nero” contains heavy climatic and fairly strong rock music, only at times can elements of gothic and metal be heard. “Nero’s” world is dark, foggy and cold. The word “ happiness” doesn’t appear here in any of the lyrics, and the only smile is the reflection of the moon in the raindrops.
In November came the Dark Stars tour, where Closterkeller were top of the bill, the main stars. The band promoted their new material. The concert had a mystical aura, a fantastic tone. Once again, the band showed their class. In March the English version of Nero was launched.
At the end of August and beginning of September the filming of the music videos for Ktokolwiek wie/Ktokolwiek widzial and Królowa was finished and on the 25th October the mini album “Reghina” was released, on which can be found two new tracks, three covers and two remixes of Królowej, (ie two Reghiny) as well as two wonderful video clips and one of the tracks from the DVD concert Podziemny krag.
At the beginning of January the filming for the music video Lunar was completed. In winter and spring band was giving a concerts. And then short summer interruption. In autumn Closterkeller was started on first edition of Abracadabra Gothic Tour 2005! They played in 16 the biggest cities. Tour was very successful. The public was enchanted this tour.
Year 2006 bring us many changes in personal case and artistic's repertuar. In first Gero, Pucek i Freddie leave our group. On the drums We invited Janusz Jastrzebowski - he's a very good and experiented progressive-rock's drumer. On the bas-guitare play nobody else then Krzysztof Najman who was lead Closterkeller with Anja for 7 years until to Graphite record and very talently guitarist - Mariusz Kumala. In October 2006 was the secound edition of ABRACADABRA GOTHIC TOUR. We were in a 21 polish town. First time we playd a few quite new songs witch You'll can hear on the new, our colour album. In this time We close in the record studio and working on the our new album.
DISCOGRAPHY:
„Purple” (1989)
„Blue” (1990)
„Agnieszka” (EP, 1993)
„Violet” (1993)
„Scarlet” (1995)
„Cyan” (1996)
„Koncert’97” (1997) - live
"Graphite" (1999)
"Fin de siecle" (2000) - acoustic live
"Pastel" (2001) - 2x CD with "The Best Of..." and multimedia
„Graphite” - english version (2003)
"Act III live 2003" - DVD (2003)
"Nero" (2003)
„Nero” - english version (2004)
“Reghina” (EP, 2004)
www.bebo.com/closterkeller http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=192963706
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Subject: Closterkeller 
Sat Jul 05, 2008 6:23 am
