Janus (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Janus


Img_capt =
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Birth_name =
Alias =
Born =
Died =
Origin = Germany
Instrument =
Voice_type =
Genre = electronic music
Neoclassical
Occupation =
Years_active = 1995–present
Label = Trisol
Associated_acts =
URL =
Current_members = Dirk "Rig" Riegert
Tobias "Toby" Hahn
Past_members =
Notable_instruments = Keyboards
Piano
Guitar

Janus is a German band. The name comes from Roman mythology, specifically the god Janus, who ruled over gates and doors.

History

From the beginning, Janus consisted of only two members - Dirk "Rig" Riegert, songwriter and vocalist, and Tobias "Toby" Hahn, programmer and piano player. Throughout their albums Janus has used many guest musicians, up to and including an entire orchestra.

Despite positive criticism, the debut album "Vater" failed to attract much attention. However, with further releases, Janus gained more popularity within the underground German gothic scene.

Musical characteristics

The music style of Janus is not easy to define. The band has been labeled as electro-industrial, industrial rock, and neoclassical.

Like the mythological god, Janus has two faces: aggressive electronic pieces, and ballads with acoustic instruments. Their live concerts are equal parts typical gothic concert and solemn orchestral performance. In their concerts, Janus is often assisted by guest musicians, who can also be found on the albums, although they are not official members of the band.

Janus uses the German language to describe such human emotions as hate, despair, insanity, fear, and loss.

Line-up

Members
* Dirk "Rig" Riegert - Vocals and lyrics
* Tobias "Toby" Hahn - Programming and piano

Discography

Releases

* ????: "Liebeslieder" (first demo, under the name Rorschach)
* 1995: "Schlafende Hunde" (second demo, limited to 25 copies)
* 1997: "Vater Demo" (self-distributed, limited to 500 copies)
* 1998: " Vater"
* 1999: "Isaak"
* 2000: "Schlafende Hunde" (see [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schlafende_Hunde German Wikipedia article] )
* 2001: " Hundstage"
* 2002: "Winterreise" (self-distributed, limited to 500 copies. With German-language covers of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen and Disarm by Smashing Pumpkins)
* 2004: "Auferstehung"
* 2004: "Kleine Ängste" (only available on the limited edition of "Auferstehung")
* 2004: "Kleine Ängste" (spoken word, self-distributed and limited to 666 copies)
* 2005: "Live Bootleg DVD" (self-distributed, limited to 400 copies. Footage from a concert in Leipzig)
* 2005: "Nachtmahr"
* 2005: "Die Alpträume des Herrn Riegert" (spoken word, only available on the limited edition of "Nachtmahr")
* 2005: "Live Bootleg DVD" (self-distributed, limited to 400 copies. Footage from a concert in Koblenz)
* 2006: "Vater Deluxe" (self-distributed re-release of the first album "Vater" and bonus tracks from the "Vater Demo")

Compilation appearances

* Touched By The Hand Of Goth Volume IV – "Saitenspiel"
* Nachtschwärmer 3 – "Rorschach"
* Mondenblut 1 – "Gescheitert"
* Sonic Seducer Cold Hands Seduction Vol. XVII – "Was uns zerbricht"
* Dark Roses - 36 Mystic And Electropop Romantics – "Isaak (Single Edit)"
* Leichenschrei - Trisol Bible Chapter 2 - "Kleine Ängste"
* Orkus Presents The Best Of 2004 (Part 2) – "Paulas Spiel"
* Orkus Presents The Best Of 2005 - "Grabenkrieg"

External links

* [http://www.knochenhaus.de Official website (German)]
* [http://www.janusfans.com English fansite]
* [http://www.myspace.com/knochenhaus Official Janus MySpace] (in German)