The most extreme sounds of the German scene are probably electronica and metal. It�s no coincidence that bands such as Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax, Metallica and Exodus, Thrash Metal greats, swear blind that the European crowd, especially the German one, is much more extreme than the American crowd. It�s so much so that in the 80s, after leaving a Slayer concert in Germany for example, you could find a sea of glass, broken bottles, metals and chains, as well as traces of blood of course, on the stages where this extreme band played. In the same way, the quantity of incredible thrash metal bands which have played in Germany along the years is very long, and some of them are already classics: Sodom, Destruction and Kreator.

The history of electro, in Germany, is also long. You just have to give one single name: Kraftwerk. Formed in Düsseldorf under the name of Organisation, later Kraftwerk, the voyage of this band begins with the most experimental Krautrock, with sweet and travelling sounds, until they became �Menschmachine�, creators of techno before techno, and the rest of inventions which impregnated electronica in the following years. Of course that the debt of Rammstein with acts such as Throbbing Gristle or Einstürzende Neubaten is also, more than obvious. But in the case of these two bands, predecessors the the punk generation, the industrial and the experimentation looked to impact on lacerating levels with the staging and the use of non-conventional instruments, had more to do with a matter which faced the same terms as live performance, outside rock towards the performative.

Now, what Rammstein does isn�t exactly metal or electro, maybe something like rap. How to define a band which uses thunderous guitars, quick phrasings, industrial sounds and a German tone of voice which borders opera, to put it in some way. Rammstein today, is like an invention of the 90s, from the �Trainspotting� generation, and from the years that, for the first time, mainstream became in apparent honest communion with the industry and independent music, which actually never happened of course. Rammstein is part of the �Neue Deutsche Härte� movement, a term invented for the new genre which they were, supposedly, promoting with other bands such as Oomph!, Stahlhammer, Samsas Traum and Megaherz.

Today, the Rammstein experience is bordering parody, and in many cases it�s derisory. Rammstein�s passage in the musical industry, and with its supposed hard and industrial sound, isn�t but the answer that they�re still being distributed by a label like Universal. They�ve sold millions of albums and their apotheosic concerts, full of violent images, drama and special effects, are another live show which is interesting to see if what you want is, of course, that the musical media carries on constructing false gods, false images and generating more sales for artists who aren�t exactly new or refreshing. For more information on Rammstein and their tour, you can visit the following website:http://www.rammstein.de/

Alexa Ray

Get apartments in Budapest to be able to relax properly after the concert.

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Translated by: aleixgwilliam
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The effects of electronic music are probably different than those of other musical genres. Although the rhythm is repetitive, songs random and a constant mix of rhythm, voice and interpretation electronic music reaches the senses deeper than any other musical genre. Furthermore, the constant drug use at festivals, raves and underground parties leads to a more intense experience that opens our imagination, desire and body at parties come close to rituals in certain moments, one could call them technological. The inicial interest in electronic muisic derived from the experimentation with several effects and devices that generated frequencies for over 50 years. Eletronic music entered our daily life as an established music genre with many different forms and possibilities to dance and listen to with technology that continues to advance and new possibilities to create effects through computers.

Maybe it was the psychodelic master Timothy Leary who with his talks about LSD and its effect on the body who it itself represents an electronic machinery claimed that drug use will broaden the limits of our minds and with these new bodies through which we carry electronic impulses we reach new levels of imagination and reality which meant a possible evolution through the stimulants of LSD.

Leary caused such inspiration in the German community creator of thel Krautrock, amongst whom the electro’s fathers, Kraftwerk, it would be essential for us to understand that experience of mental and sensory expansion had to be done with effects and electronic devices: synthesizers.

Kraftwerk’s career till today needn’t be mentioned now, but it is to understand that resolution of the electronic effect in the sound has been changing with the different tools and devices that are used today, both for electronic music generation as in its reproduction. This way, electronic music festivals are pilgrimage events, of a subculture that without even realizing, is already a great part of the system. So much that there is already very few it can be offered and which it could re-assimilate as a chance or aspect towards the mainstream side. The festival corporation is present all around as we know, and it is not but from this corporation that one can better understand the music today and conglomeration it causes, as well as its reactions. Our links with PCs are today so close that thinking of moving away from electronic music and its possibilities is crazy. We are closer and closer of a future which, as Blade Runner said, implies an electronic Hill and artificial life, perhaps music is our insertion path in a future which is already happening, against our wills, and from our senses.

To live electronic music, come to Budapest and be part of this festival that is the best event of the year. For further info, visit this page: http://www.bonuszfesztival.hu/2011/

Alexa Ray

Find apartments in Budapest and be a part of this event, which brings you the best of today�s electronic music. Highly recommended.

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Translated by: Maria
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Seven days of music, and an almost endless line up of bands and groups, which attracts during the summer tourists and fans of all leanings and tastes. Which is why Sziget Festival is the biggest thing in Budapest in august.

This year, the party starts on the 11th, and carries on until the 16th of august, in Óbudai, an island in the middle of the Danube, and around 15 minutes from the city centre.

Sziget is world famous, not just for the volume of musicians and styles on offer, but because it has created a whole way of life, and a new way of enjoying music out in the nature, whereby the two merge together in a sustainable way. In Sziget, which means Island in Hungarian, festival goers can camp in specially assigned places, with good transport connections. You just need a good tent, and be ready to have some fun.

Well known newspaper Financial Times has placed Sziget Festival amongst the world�s most successful music events of this year, and one of Europe�s best summer festivals.

For the 2011 edition, there will be usual meeting of well loved and established bands, with new, up and coming acts. Alternative, electronic and rock all fuse together for the festival�s seven days.

Amongst the headlining acts are British band Kasabian. Their name came from guitarist Chris Karloff, who found himself drawn to the Linda Kasabian figure in a novel based on the multiple killings committed by Charles Manson at the home of actress Sharon Tate in 1966. Kasabian was a beautiful young pregnant woman driving the car which took a fleeing Manson from the scene of the crime.

Since the band�s early days, it has been compared with Oasis and Stone Roses, and its image as alternative rock group has been a successful one since 2004, garnering them many fans – which is why they have been chosen as one of the bands to open the festival this year.

Another big British bands confirmed on the bill is British Sea Power. The indie rock band is made up of the Wilkinson brothers, and the music is known for its poppy guitars, making their live performances popular, and also famous for their eccentric, artistic sets. This january they released Valhalla Dancehall, which led to a tour of the States and various other countries.

Production!, the project from Danish DJ, producer, and all round musical talent Trentemoller will also be taking to the stage at the festival. Check out the latest videos and releases from the bands and DJs, and the latest from the world of alternative music. More information:  http://szigetfest.eu/en/szigetinfo

Nancy Guzman

For a holiday with something extra special, where you can forget about the year�s troubles, head down to Sziget Festival, and then spend a few days renting an apartments in Budapest

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Translated by: Poppy
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