I hadn’t planned on being impressed last night. I was there for one reason only. Blutengel’s “Dämonen:Sturm” tour had finally stopped in Dresden. The Alter Schlachthof was filled with people and charged with anticipation. I had never heard of Dunkelsucht before, so I walked in cold, with zero expectations.
That changed the moment the fog rolled in and Dunkelsucht launched into their opening track “Die Sterne sehen”. Dense, immersive, and lit with pulsating beams, the sound hit like a tidal wave. Any sense of casual detachment evaporated. Suddenly, I was wide awake and completely immersed in the moment.
Dunkelsucht is a Swiss duo from Zürich, consisting of Patrick Näf on vocals and Tim Lindner on electronics and keys. They describe their sound as a blend of industrial and EBM. But even that doesn’t fully capture the gritty, cinematic darkness they conjured on stage. Näf’s vocals are less sung than exorcised: a raw, growling force that grounds each track in visceral emotion. It’s brooding, it’s heavy, and it lingers.
The setlist was a tightly crafted journey. “TSYBLF” and “Pyramid” pulsed with fierce momentum, while “Verdingkind”, inspired by the tragic fate of Switzerland’s “contract children”, delivered an emotional blow. Even without knowing the full context, the performance communicated everything. The anguish, the history, and the loss were all unmistakably present. The air in the venue turned heavy, and no one needed a translation.
Midway through, “Wenn Liebe das Herz erwärmt” shifted the tone with surprising vulnerability. It was followed by “Tanznacht”, which whipped the crowd back into a frenzy. The energy was amplified by the appearance of André from the Dresden-based band Versus. The venue exploded. The chemistry between the artists was infectious, turning the performance into a celebration, a moment you couldn’t recreate if you tried.
They closed with a triple-hit of aggression: “Inhuman”, “Let Your Darkness Out” and the defiantly anthemic “This Is Fucking Mainstream”. Equal parts satire and statement, it brought the house down. If their latest album “Entstellte Persönlichkeiten” carries even half the impact of their live set, it’s a must-listen. Dunkelsucht didn’t just warm up the stage. They carved out their own space and left the crowd wanting more.
But then, the main act. My reason for being there.
I had been counting down the days since Blutengel announced their “Dämonen:Sturm” tour. I was especially excited for this stop in Dresden. But when the day finally came, I felt strangely numb. Like the anticipation had drained me dry.
The Alter Schlachthof was packed to the brim, buzzing with energy. As Chris proudly pointed it out later in the night, adding with a smile, “Dresden has never disappointed”. He was right. The energy in that hall was unreal. When the opening tones echoed through the space, something clicked. The numbness disappeared. My heart started racing and the world snapped into focus.
They started with tracks from “Dämonen:Sturm” album: “She Wears Black”, “When Darkness Falls” and “Reunited”. It became immediately clear how well the new material translated live. The rich layers, moody textures, and haunting vocals all blended seamlessly. Everything about the performance pulled the audience deeper into their world.
One thing that has always set Blutengel apart is how they explore the eternal struggle between light and shadow. This isn’t just reflected in their lyrics or melodies; it extends to the entire performance. The dancers were not merely embellishments; they acted as avatars of that conflict. Their movement became a metaphor. And, as always in the Blutengel universe, darkness ultimately prevailed.
The setlist was a sweeping dive into their catalogue. “Engelsblut”, “Lucifer”, “Seelenschmerz” and “Bloody Pleasures” were met with instant crowd responses. Arms were raised and voices rang out loud. Even mid-era tracks like “Tief”, “Weitergehen” and “False Gods” blended seamlessly with the newer material. This showcased the band’s evolution while still maintaining their essence.
Chris Pohl and Ulrike Goldmann were magnetic. They shifted between tender, theatrical and fierce with a command that held the audience in thrall. When the final notes rang out, no one was ready to let go.
Of course, they returned for an encore. It wasn’t just a curtain call. It was a final emotional crescendo. “After The Storm” closed the night, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. It wasn’t just a goodbye. It felt like a reckoning.
This wasn’t just a show. It was a storm that I had been waiting to walk into. It shook something loose in me.
Dunkelsucht immersed me in their dark world, leaving an unforgettable first impression. Blutengel, with their commanding presence, reignited everything I loved about their music. They reminded me why I have always been drawn to their haunting, beautiful chaos. This wasn’t just another show. It was a night that will stay with me forever, etched deep into my memory.
Photos by Vedrana Dobrić
