It happened on a Saturday in beautiful December 2019.
It was December 21, 2019. Just before Christmas, just before the end of the year.
On that evening, young, older, and elderly people gathered in a hall in Berlin. The place was called “Festsaal Kreuzberg” and was located between Schlesisches Tor and Treptower Park, at the border between former West Berlin and former East Berlin. The venue could not have been better chosen, as it was fitting for a band that was not only celebrating the end of their tour that evening but also the birthday of their singer. It was the 60th birthday of Eugen Balanskat, the only founding member still active in the band.
DIE SKEPTIKER.
DIE SKEPTIKER, a band that was founded in 1986 in East Berlin and was very active for the next twelve years. Within twelve years, seven albums were released, one EP, and two cassette tapes during the GDR era.
After that, the band became quiet. The next album came out nine years later, and although “DaDa in Berlin” was just a re-recording of old songs, plus two new songs, it was not only a sign of life from a band but the beginning of a new era. Of course, this album was followed by concerts and three more albums by 2019, including the groundbreaking, if not epoch-making album with the short yet clear title “Aufsteh´n”.
Now in 2019, for Eugen's sixth round birthday, there is again a live album from the band. A total of 28 songs are included on the double album, which is released in a stylish CD version as well as in two vinyl versions (500 copies in black and 500 copies in gray).
This double album can be seen without hesitation as a showcase of the band. It was an absolute gala evening. Eugen with incredible energy on stage and powerful singing, accompanied by a band at their peak. The songs not only come out of the speakers with great pressure. You can also hear how well the band is rehearsed. There are almost no mistakes to be heard, and Eugen's distinctive voice, powerful and delivered in his own unique style, conveys the feeling of the live concert very well. The recording has been minimally edited, so this is truly a recording in a live atmosphere. I personally fondly remember that evening. An evening when everything fit. A week earlier, I had seen the band on a rather small stage at Moritzbastei in Leipzig. What they brought to the stage that evening in Berlin was, without exaggeration, a highlight of the year 2019 and a highlight for the band as well.
In terms of song selection, it is a best-of of the band's releases. In my eyes, a great selection, and even if one could say that these are just the hits of the band, I would respond, “So what!” On such an evening, you hardly wish for anything else, do you?
DIE SKEPTIKER have not calmed down even after 35 years, now in 2021. There are talks of a new album, a new guitarist, as unfortunately, Tom Schwoll has left the band, and those who know Eugen know that something is still coming.
DIE SKEPTIKER were and are an important band that has never held back. Lyrics that combine intelligence and a confident command of language without ever being overly cerebral. Music that bursts with energy and a sympathetic singer who, even now, just before retirement, does not seem tired or old.
With this album, the band has set a monument that is not yet finished.
I am very curious about what is to come and wish the band all the best.
Along with the album, each version also includes a DVD of the concert.
A visual document that evokes longing and shows how energetic the band is.
