EISBRECHERMy husband never ceases to amaze me. He is one of the most open-minded, easy-going and curious individuals I have ever met. He is never afraid to try new things, or listen to something different. One of the things that attracted me to him is his love of music...and not just any music but a lot of the same music I listen to. Which is nothing short of a miracle: and was a sign that we belong together-- because a substantial percentage of the music I like is obscure. Even when I was a teenager I dismissed the popular bubblegum pop of the 1980's for punk, goth, and industrial. I liked music with a strong bass line and a deep message--or at least unique or artsy. I ignored superficial musical groups that sang exclusively about sex, drugs or pick-up trucks.
I was elated and surprised when, during one of our first road trips together; I was perusing the musical selection on his i-pod and found songs by The Cure, New Order and Marillon! Only a handful of my friends have ever liked the same music I liked, and here was a man--coming from a foreign country half a world away--who liked the same tunes I did. When I inquired about his unusual musical tastes he only laughed and said, "yeah, I got into some of that music while I was in Kuwait and then even more when I was in college."
His answer caught me by surprise because I had not considered the possibility of alternative music being readily available in a country like Kuwait. My ignorance about the world had made me believe that this type of music would only be enjoyed by people in so-called "progressive" Western countries. I was quite happy to have been proven wrong--and that doesn't happen too often! (a-hem...meaning that I am not often happy about being proven wrong. I did not mean that I am seldom proven wrong. Unfortunately, being incorrect is something that happens to me almost daily. Welcome to the human condition!)
Even now, as a 41 year old, I am still "hip" and love to discover the latest musical groups and genres. (Of course using the term "hip" probably proves that I am not!) Recently I have discovered a love for Hindi and Bollywood music. Khalid was so surprised once day when he came home to find me grooving to some new Hindi song. He asked me if I understood any of the lyrics. I regretfully replied: "No. But you don't have to understand the lyrics in order to enjoy the music."
I am also a big fan of the Scandinavian/German symphonic rock scene. Symphonic rock can be described as a fusion between progressive metal and classical music. I realize that these seem like two incompatible musical styles but it actually works quite well. The arrangements are complex, intricate and much more unique then standard rock songs. There is a magical fusion within the symphonic genre because there exists a contrast between the aggressive "masculine" rhythm of the instruments and the beautiful female soprano vocals. Some of the best soprano voices can be heard within symphonic metal: including Liv Kristine of Leave's Eyes, Sharon Den Adel of Within Temptation, Charlotte Wessels of Delain, Sabine Edelsbacher of Edenbridge and Tarja Turunen, formally of the band Nightwish. Every time I listen to them I get shivers down my spine.
Luckily, most of these bands my husband appreciates as well. He likes a lot of songs by Within Temptation and Delain, and even some of the songs by Leave's Eyes. But I was surprised when he commented about a song I played by one of the new bands I discovered by the name of Eisbrecher.
What some people don't know (unless they are a new music fiend like I am) is that Germany is currently one of the most prolific areas for alternative rock music. The music scene has exploded there and many German musical groups are gaining large followings of fans all over the world. Some of them sing in English (like Edenbridge and Xandria) but some-- thankfully sing in their native tongue.
One such band is called Eisbrecher, which in English can be translated as "ice breaker" although I imagine, pronounced slightly differently--maybe "icebricker?" (Ok--well..I don't have to pronounce it correctly to appreciate it.) They are categorized as an industrial band with a hard edge, electronic sound and aggressive beat. Very danceable music..the kind you would hear in a trendy club. The male singer has one of the deepest Bass vocals I have ever heard.
I was elated and surprised when, during one of our first road trips together; I was perusing the musical selection on his i-pod and found songs by The Cure, New Order and Marillon! Only a handful of my friends have ever liked the same music I liked, and here was a man--coming from a foreign country half a world away--who liked the same tunes I did. When I inquired about his unusual musical tastes he only laughed and said, "yeah, I got into some of that music while I was in Kuwait and then even more when I was in college."
His answer caught me by surprise because I had not considered the possibility of alternative music being readily available in a country like Kuwait. My ignorance about the world had made me believe that this type of music would only be enjoyed by people in so-called "progressive" Western countries. I was quite happy to have been proven wrong--and that doesn't happen too often! (a-hem...meaning that I am not often happy about being proven wrong. I did not mean that I am seldom proven wrong. Unfortunately, being incorrect is something that happens to me almost daily. Welcome to the human condition!)
Even now, as a 41 year old, I am still "hip" and love to discover the latest musical groups and genres. (Of course using the term "hip" probably proves that I am not!) Recently I have discovered a love for Hindi and Bollywood music. Khalid was so surprised once day when he came home to find me grooving to some new Hindi song. He asked me if I understood any of the lyrics. I regretfully replied: "No. But you don't have to understand the lyrics in order to enjoy the music."
I am also a big fan of the Scandinavian/German symphonic rock scene. Symphonic rock can be described as a fusion between progressive metal and classical music. I realize that these seem like two incompatible musical styles but it actually works quite well. The arrangements are complex, intricate and much more unique then standard rock songs. There is a magical fusion within the symphonic genre because there exists a contrast between the aggressive "masculine" rhythm of the instruments and the beautiful female soprano vocals. Some of the best soprano voices can be heard within symphonic metal: including Liv Kristine of Leave's Eyes, Sharon Den Adel of Within Temptation, Charlotte Wessels of Delain, Sabine Edelsbacher of Edenbridge and Tarja Turunen, formally of the band Nightwish. Every time I listen to them I get shivers down my spine.
Luckily, most of these bands my husband appreciates as well. He likes a lot of songs by Within Temptation and Delain, and even some of the songs by Leave's Eyes. But I was surprised when he commented about a song I played by one of the new bands I discovered by the name of Eisbrecher.
What some people don't know (unless they are a new music fiend like I am) is that Germany is currently one of the most prolific areas for alternative rock music. The music scene has exploded there and many German musical groups are gaining large followings of fans all over the world. Some of them sing in English (like Edenbridge and Xandria) but some-- thankfully sing in their native tongue.
One such band is called Eisbrecher, which in English can be translated as "ice breaker" although I imagine, pronounced slightly differently--maybe "icebricker?" (Ok--well..I don't have to pronounce it correctly to appreciate it.) They are categorized as an industrial band with a hard edge, electronic sound and aggressive beat. Very danceable music..the kind you would hear in a trendy club. The male singer has one of the deepest Bass vocals I have ever heard.
I had played a few of their songs for Khalid and he expressed an liking for them and asked who the band was. I told him and he said he had never heard of them before.I explained that they were from Germany and had just stated to become popular in the States. He liked them so much that the next time I perused his i-pod, he had bought and downloaded some of their songs.
Just to be a wise guy I asked him "Do you understand any of the lyrics?"
He sheepishly smiled at me and replied "No. But you don't have to understand the words to appreciate the music."
Smart alec.....
1 comment:
Ah, my current favourite band! Open I-Tunes and do a search for their video podcast and you'll hear how the band name is pronounced. Or, go to their website (I think it's www.eis-brecher.com) and there are links to their video podcasts and also the lyrics. I love them, and even got the DJ at my local rock club to play them regularly now, so they are starting to gain ground here in the UK.
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