TERMINATRYX
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The first seeds of Cape Town based TERMINATRYX (pronounced "terminaytrix") germinated around 2002 when lead vocalist Sonja and friend Christina sat around musing on how cool it would be if they had a band with two female vocalists packing more than just a punch or an edge.
But, while it can hardly be faulted, two hot front-ladies can only get you that far. In stepped Paul Blom (extreme music veteran of V.O.D - Voice Of Destruction, F8, & K.O.B.U.S. fame), and created a tester track for them by programming a tune and adding bass guitar to it, turning into the song We Come In Peace.
It all seemed rather promising, but a name had to be chosen. So, instead of a single concept, several layers were combined to include a range of movies, fetishes and mythical locations to encapsulate the specific mood. Movies like Tetsuo The Iron Man, The Terminator, The Matrix, and the Nexus replicants from Bladerunner / a strong female presence of the dominatrix / the river
In the early stages, around 2003, Christina left for other commitments, Sonja flying solo as lead vocalist since then. First guitarist Tom Somers left for
The duo of Sonja and Paul is enhanced with additional personnel when it comes to live performances. The first of these came in 2003 when TERMINATRYX was chosen as support for German Darkwave legends Diary Of Dreams on their South African tour. The 8-song repertoire at that stage was expanded to include over an album's worth, with pre-production samplers making the rounds.
The sound also took shape to create a unique Industrial-Metal blend with female lead-, and male backing vocals, which is quite rare in
2004 they used TERMINATRYX and F8 music in their short film, imPERFECTION (set for a remix at the 2008 X FEST, late March).
The debut album release was always on the horizon, but time simply seemed to dissolve with Paul & Sonja's other activities including the creation of film festivals like the annual South African HORRORFEST four years ago (for which Sonja is also the poster-girl) and the new X FEST.
In between rare live performances which included appearing at the Popkomm festival in Berlin, Germany (2006), TERMINATRYX also performed two original live soundtracks to silent horror classics NOSFERATU, and THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI at the 2006 and 2007 S.A. HORRORFEST - together with collaborators like Simon Ratcliffe and Sean O'Tim of LARK fame (on upright bass, flute, theremin, percussion), as well as Matthijs Van Dijk (on electric violin). HÄXAN, another legendary silent film, will get a modern audio make-over performed to the screen by TERMINATRYX, Simon, Sean and maybe a few other collaborators at the 2008 HORRORFEST.
(www.HORRORFEST.info / www.XFEST.org)
In 2007 Simon showed interest in mixing the anticipated TERMINATRYX album with Simon at his
With a natural aversion to cheap commercial sentiments and a blind consumer society, TERMINATRYX is truly a unique South African audio adventure, looking at the world with a satirical eye as they take the listener through a juxtaposed range of sonic intensity and calm, fusing technology with the organic in a David Cronenberg vs. H.R Giger trip.
In a televised talent show, and mock reality drenched commercial media decline, TERMINATRYX is not merely a breath of fresh air, but a long awaited new direction out to rattle the cage just enough to make a saturated public stand still and think, "hey, there's more to it than this..." - even if for only a moment.
But as we know, a moment can be a multitude of infinities - depending on the way you look at it.
- Pablo Priest
Exclusive audio samples of the new recordings (as well as demo versions) can be heard at these on-line pages:
SIEK+SAT > www.MyNoise.co.za/terminatryx (Afrikaans song - translated as Sick +Tired)
VIRUS > www.MySpace.com/terminatryxxx
CONsume > www.ReverbNation.com/terminatryx
Check out www.TERMINATRYX.com for info, pics, mp3s, videos & more.
Or contact them at: info@flamedrop.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/terminatryxxx
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/terminatryx
MyNoise: www.MyNoise.co.za/terminatryx
ReverbNation: www.ReverbNation.com/terminatryx
HorrorFest: www.HorrorFest.info
TERMINATRYX 2008 BIOGRAPHY
TERMINATRYX (pronounced: "terminaytrix") – a new breed of South African music.
The long anticipated TERMINATRYX album was released mid-May 2008 thru ENT Entertainment, South Africa - distributed by IRIS (cat. no. CDENT 010).
Available at all good music stores, or on-line at:
www.subterania.co.za (incl. international orders)
www.kalahari.net/music/Terminatryx/19738/32891407.aspx
[Album download available soon]
While the South African musical landscape consists of varied styles and genres, TERMINATRYX couldn’t find one catering to their specific taste. So, in 2002 they decided to set out and create their own by blending their love of hard- and electronic music, with that of the moods created by sci-fi / horror / extreme movies / perceptions of the world around them, and a touch of sexually charged danger to initialize their own dark edged Industrial rock movement.
Since then they have slowly cultivated and sculpted their sound, systematically shaping these creations, encapsulating the fusion-, symbiosis- and corruption of man & technology, illustrating and supplementing it with a wide range of moods and subjects, from socio-political & protest grievances, the media & consumerism, to alien visitation, an alternative to the traditional love song, a critical tirade in Afrikaans, biological- and viral infection, instrumentals and fictional / fantasy trips. A strong sense of individuality, free speech and free choice filters throughout. Reacting on the state of the world (and beyond), there is no mincing of words.
Categorization has been difficult with the band’s dark flavoured blend of female-fronted, electronically infused industrial metalscapes – they’re quite content with this non-labeled state.
In addition there are many musical elements subtly filtering through across the diverse songs, from Alternative-, Hard Core- and Punk flavours, to Electronic-, Dark Wave- and Gothic hints.
The rock community has always looked upon bands with female vocalists with a prejudiced eye, but in the case of TERMINATRYX, SONJA projects sensuality while delivering the musical message, without weak attempts at being the “rock goddess” – she simply is without trying!
Furthermore she does not endeavor to emulate the voice of any other singers out there, as her vocals join forces with the music to become a part of its essence, as opposed to fighting for attention.
The other key component of the TERMINATRYX collective is PAUL, also drummer of South Africa’s most influential Metal band V.O.D - VOICE OF DESTRUCTION (www.VOICEofDESTRUCTION.com).
V.O.D’s Bloedrivier album got a 10th Anniversary re-release with extras incl. demo tracks and videos directed by Paul.
The band lived in
In 2002 however, together with SONJA, the seed for TERMINATRYX started germinating. Between 2002 and 2005 several guitarists came and went. During this period (key songwriter) PAUL took up the guitar himself, handling all of the musical aspects, from bass & guitar, to drums, programming, keyboards (and backing vocals).
In 2003 the first ever TERMINATRYX live shows erupted in support of German Darkwave gods Diary Of Dreams on their South African tour.
For live performances the core configuration of PAUL & SONJA can be joined by various additional members, from extra guitarists to live drummers to add to the programmed tracks & loops. The live set-up can range from 2 – 5 members (or more if need be – this opportunity arose with the live soundtrack performance TERMINATRYX delivered for the screening of the 1922 silent classic NOSFERATU at the South African HORROR FEST – (www.horrorfest.info).
South African live shows were put on hold in preparation for the TERMINATRYX performance at the
On their return to home soil, TERMINATRYX performed a live original soundtrack to F.W. Murnau’s silent 1922 vampire classic NOSFERATU at the annual South African HORRORFEST over the Halloween period (27-30 Oct), incorporating additional guest artists, violinist Matthijs Van Dijk, Francois Blom (of V.O.D, DIE KRUIS, and K.O.B.U.S.) on keyboards, and from LARK, Sean & Simon on everything from samplers and upright bass, to flute and the theremin. It was an awe-inspiring experience which led to the creation and performance of another soundtrack at the 2007 HORRORFEST for the screening of THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI with collaborators from LARK). The show was not just sold out, but extra seats were brought into the theatre and many people had to be turned away.
The 2008 HORRORFEST will see the legendary HÄXAN getting the TERMINATRYX soundtrack treatment.
(Paul & Sonja are also the key organizers of the HorrorFest and the X Fest extreme film festival).
www.HORRORFEST.info / www.SHADOWREALMinc.com / www.Xfest.org
The TERMINATRYX music video for the song
The first TERMINATRYX live performance for 2007 was at the Ramfest rock festival over the first weekend of March.
Pre-produxion samplers, First Fix v.1.0, First Fix v.2.0 and First Fix v.3.0 has been circulated since 2003, and a CD / DVD promo package with sample trax, live footage, music videos, European footage, NOSFERATU performance extracts, stills and a short film imPERFECTION (by PAUL, starring SONJA, featuring TERMINATRYX music) will be completed to coincide with their debut album, set for an April 2008 release. (www.flamedrop.com/pictures)
Mid-May 2008 saw the critically well received release of the long anticipated TERMINATRYX debut album, through ENT Entertainment, distributed by IRIS (catalog number: CDENT 010).
This was accompanied by live launch shows in
TERMINATRYX was also selected as support for VNV Nation on their South African visit at the Goth Industrial Gathering on 22 August: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=16251822475&ref=mf
For the 2008 live shows the TERMINATRYX live line-up will incorporate additional musicians in the shape of Patrick on guitar (from Mind Assault), and Ronnie on drums (ex-Grämlich & -Revellus).
In the live drums department, Paul also started playing for the Afrikaans Metal outfit K.O.B.U.S. in 2003 (who will be sharing the stage with MANOWAR at the Magic Circle Festival, July 2008 in Germany) – (www.KobusMusic.com)
To focus on the TERMINATRYX album recording, Paul abdicated this drumming position in March 2008.
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In a televised talent show-, and mock reality drenched commercial media decline, TERMINATRYX is not merely a breath of fresh air, but a long awaited new direction out to rattle the cage just enough to make a saturated public stand still and think, "hey, there's more to it than this..." - even if for only a moment.
But as we know, a moment can be a multitude of infinities - depending on the way you look at it.
TERMINATRYX is an evolving entity and its philosophy partially comprises the following:
It is compelled to create music with which they can identify, even if it is not generally accepted by the wider community / Its inherent intensity is a natural one created by their perception of the world around them / It tackles issues without being preachy / It kicks hard without drowning the key purpose in sheer volume / It utilizes technology without being overtaken by it or losing its humanity and organic essence / It contains catchy elements without attempts to scam listeners into a blatant commercial trap / It exudes a confident sexuality and sense of empowerment as part & parcel, not a mere overblown selling point...
Taking the above mentioned into account and the fact that TERMINATRYX takes both subjective and objective standpoints, it is everything but neutral.
A paradox? Perhaps...
An enigma? Maybe...
A phenomenon? By far…
You be the judge.
Check out www.TERMINATRYX.com for info, pics, mp3s, videos & more.
Or contact them at: info@flamedrop.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/terminatryxxx
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5595727281&ref=mf
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/terminatryx
MyNoise: www.MyNoise.co.za/terminatryx
ReverbNation: www.ReverbNation.com/terminatryx
Other related sites:
HorrorFest: www.HORRORFEST.info
V.O.D: www.VOICEofDESTRUCTION.com
V.O.D on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5711375805&ref=mf
K.O.B.U.S: www.KobusMusic.com
Paul Blom: www.PaulBlom.com
Sonja Ruppersberg: www.SonjaRuppersberg.com
X Fest: www.Xfest.org
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