NEXT GIG VALENCIA SPAIN!!!!!!!!

DUE TO CONTINUOUS DEMAND BY ALL THE FANS OUT THERE, WE ARE HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT CHERRY RED RECORDS HAVE DECIDED TO RE-RELEASE OUR COMPILATION ALBUM "DANCING IN THE RAIN". TO OBTAIN THIS CD CLICK ON CHERRY RED RECORDS. THANK YOU ALL FOR MAKING IT HAPPEN!!!!!

The Essence are: Hans - vocals and guitar, Mark – keyboards and bass guitar and George – drums, an alternative, gothic rock/popband from Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Their unique sound varies from sheer power to dreamy ballads, ever changing, evolving, sometimes reminiscent of vintage Cure or a postmodern Pink Floyd. After five albums and a 'best of' album, musically the band matured way beyond their original aspirations. As a live band, The Essence built a strong reputation with their powerful, passionate and capturing concert performances.

Formed in 1984, The Essence signed to Midnight Music after a year of constant gigging. In 1986 this collaboration resulted in the release of their debut album "Purity" preceded by the 12" single "Endless Lakes", which were both received very well, especially in Holland and Germany. A track very popular with the radio- and club-DJ's was "The Cat", which was remixed and released as a second 12". 1987 saw the release of the follow-up album "A Monument of Trust" and the single "A Mirage", a catchy tune that made the top 10 in Spain. It was then, that The Essence started to tour Europe extensively, building up a strong and faithful following in amongst others, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.

The popularity of the band continued to grow with the release of the third album "Ecstasy" in 1988. The videos of the singles "Only For You" (1989) and "Like Christ" (1990) got regular airplay on MTV. The group recorded their fourth CD "Nothing Lasts Forever", a powerful and dark concept album, released November 1991, making its way to an ever growing following around the world, including Japan and the USA.

In this period the band played the Leipzig Gothic Wave Treffen festival twice in 1993 and 1995. Meanwhile the band was working on a new album which was set out to be released in 1996. But before that, a "best of.." CD was released by Cherry Red Records in 1994 entitled "Dancing In The Rain", accompanied by the single "A Mirage '94 - The Mixes". The following year, a coverversion of "A Mirage" by Spanish group "Esquema" was again a hit in Spain.

The years after that , the band started touring where they frequently played Spain, Italy, Germany and the UK. The band also started to do outside projects on an individual basis, that varied from writing, producing to even playing with other bands. Also, collaborations with DJ’s from over the world gave a new meaning to several of The Essence songs, amongst others Italian DJ Giancarlo Carone who did various remixes of “Only for You” in 2005

After a long period of silence, doing the occasional tour and home-based club gigs, 2006 brought the band from a four piece to three piece, creating a more basic sound. At this point, the band has written enough material to record a new album.

FIND GLOWSHOW, A FULL LENGTH CONCERT VIDEO OF 5 SONGS ON YOUTUBE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Essence on Youtube

Music: Taking on the World: This clip is taken from a dutch tv programme "Veronica Trexx" on new years day 1996. You can still see the champagne and "oliebollen" on the table.

Music: Bleed, this clip is taken from personal footage filmed at the release party of the Album "GLOW" at Stairway 2 Heaven, Utrecht, for CNR International Records 1995. Thanks 2 Brad Grobler for filming

The Essence Live in Venice, Italy playing one of their favourite cure songs. Thanks to Juan Martinez for filming!

here's a link to a radio item dedicated to the essence, broadcasted sathurday 27th Januari 2007 by radio3blokaal (in dutch!)

BLACKOUT

here's two links to pictures taken at our recent germany tour oktober 2006:

DJ Cyberpagan

Black Fascination