10-05-2009 Emergenza

Venue: Batschkapp, Frankfurt (Germany)
By: Nina Mende

Back to where I dropped out last year: Emergenza. The New Comer Band Contest, worldwide. Tonight was one of the semifinal shows at the Batschkapp in Frankfurt. Many people were standing outside already, waiting, drinking or smoking. Inside was about the same amount of crowd. Which of the bands is playing when is getting decided on last shot by a drawing. So nobody knows when they play in advance, therefore nobody can tell their fans, friends or family when to come. Yet many people came late and missed the first band which I personally found best: YEN. I had seen them once before as opener for Sub7even a couple years ago.

The band, whose members live in different places scattered between Stuttgart and Frankfurt in Germany, sings in English and knows how to rock with pure passion. They say the eyes are the mirror of the human soul. That is why Yen’s lyrics are genuine, painfully honest and deeply melancholic and attest to a lot of strength despite all their frailty. And this is not just talking, it is the truth. When watching them live you can tell, but also by simply listening to their music you can as well.

Unfortunately, as said before, not all Emergenza visitors today were there yet and YEN played first. But they gave their best and rocked the stage. The songs were pure, passionate and emotional, but also pure rock. You just had to at least sway along. All band members performed like they have never done anything else but performing in front of people. The singer – the band was female fronted, just in case you didn’t catch that yet – had a voice reminding of Sandra Nasic from Guano Apes and Skin from Skunk Anansie. So quite strong and deep, straight from where it ought to come: the heart and soul! After their very short show it was voting time. Not many people there yet means not very votes. Too bad. That’s how Yen, the best band this evening in my opinion, only made it to 8th out of 10.