“Who?”, I can here you ask. I know of about five people that have actually heard of this band. I believe they’re a major act in their native Poland, but little known in the wider world, largely because they sing entirely in Polish.
A few years back, my brother was working as an English teacher in Poland, and he asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I replies “what about some Polish prog-rock?”. Eastern Europe was (and still is) in something of a musical time-warp, where bands like Uriah Heep are still big. Since I don’t really care for much of the current British scene, dominated too much by boring and tuneless indie bands, I wondered if Poland could come up with something more interesting.
Since all my brother had to go on in choosing something was the cover artwork, what I actually got on Christmas afternoon was Closterkeller’s “Cyan”.
Closterkeller turned out to be goth-metal rather than prog-rock. However, when the opening guitar riff of Wladza led into Anja Orthodox’s powerful yet beautiful vocals, I was impressed by the album. It varied from some very punky songs though 80s-style commercial metal mixed with atmospheric gothy stuff. All sung in Polish.
Since I’m one of those people who’s more into the music than the lyrics, I don’t find non-English lyrics a turn-off. Indeed, the sounds of Polish seem to fit the music well, and I’m sure it sounds better than English in a comical accent (have you heard any Lacuna Coil?)
Closterkeller’s albums aren’t easy to find in Britain. I found Amazon listing just one, their latest album “Nero” (which I have on order). It’s possible some specialist importers might stock others.
Heh, actually Closterkeller seems to be rather an underground band (even in Poland). It’s almost impossible to see them on TV, since Anja O. is a kind of anti-catholical symbol.
I attended their concert a week ago and was delighted with their performance. The entrance fee costed only ca. 2$, but very few people came to see the concert.
About singing in Polish – Closterkeller usually records English versions of their cd’s, but Anja’s accent and pronunciation are simply terrible… that’s why it’s better to listen to them in their native language
Closterkeller and many more underground Female vocalist Gothic Rock/Metal can be found in one website / store and ship worldwide.
Closterkeller to najwspanialszy zespol na swiecie, ciesze sie ze wy tez go zacie, polecam szczerze pposluchania ich dokonan w koncu juz spiewaja w jezyku angielskim.
http://www.anja.pl – Closterkellers website (there is english wersion)
http://akashaaa.eblog.pl/glowna.php – my blog