Suetonius' De Vita Caesarum, written in 121 AD, is one of the greatest historical sources about the first Twelve Caesars of Rome from the fall of the Republic. In great detail, it describes the rise and fall of famous characters such as the cruel Tiberius, fat Vitellius and the insane Caligula, in both their splendour and decadence. HERR pays homage to this seminal work by integrating their genre-redefining bombastic orchestrations with a more songlike approach to composition. Thirteen songs tell an exceptional tale of the fact and hearsay which Suetonius described. Frivolous baroque-like music describe the gossip of the King of Bithynia sodomising Julius, violent marching songs picture an image of the short-lived rebellion of Galba, steeped in violence and anger, whilst the victor of the year of four emperors, Vespasian, is greeted with themes that remind of HERR's early work, The Winter of Constantinople. As the final chord of the thirteenth song echoes and fades, one is left with an impression of contrasts surrounding the much-hailed Roman Empire that goes beyond the simple veneration of a genre that is often plagued by a formulaic, sword-and-sandal approach to music in general.

Of course this album can be ordered from Troy (post a message to his myspace) or me (post a message here) for 10 GBP or 12.5 EU.

Cheers,
Mich

We will be playing a gig in Amstelveen (near Amsterdam), at the p60 venue on May 22, supporting Rome (the band). Since I have moved to Nottingham, England, chances to see us in the Netherlands are not as big as they used to be, so I would suggest taking this opportunity if you happen to live in the Neths or neighbouring countries.  We will be performing a good selection of classic songs from earlier albums as well as newer tracks from the upcoming Twelve Caesars album - of which I'm just told that the master is nearing completion, so it may actually be out before the gig.

Best,

Mich

Not exactly HERR, but at least HER - that is Inge - and myself, will be visiting Moscow between June 16 and 28. If you're living in Moscow and interested in an evening of serious dada or perhaps host a HERR show in the future, let me know and we'll meet up.

Cheers,

Mich

The album is almost ready. Troy and Miklos have recorded just about everything, virtual orchestration is being tweaked now and then by myself, and for the first time, I have recorded Inge's trumpet playing. The new song that I just uploaded - "Of Vice and Virtue" - is the result of that.The song is about the twelveth caesar, Domitian, and as it concerns one of the very few songs I have ever composed in a major key, I think this shows the new, perhaps "uplifting" aspect of our forthcoming album.

Sleep well,

Mich

Next Wednesday (November 14) till Sunday, I'll be around Los Angeles for a conference. As I'm under an immense threat of becoming extremely bored in the evenings, I call upon those living in that area to let me know if there's anything whatsoever to do around there.

Cheers,

Mich / HERR

It is confirmed, we will play in Biberach!

Info: http://wolfhall.org/shtml/concert20071208-en.shtml

This will be our first gig in Germany, and given the notoriety of the "neofolk-scene" there, who knows, maybe our last too! So come see.

Cheers,

Mich

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Next month, we'll be playing in Utrecht, Netherlands, as part of a big goth sort of festival thing. I attached the line-up, marking in bold the groups I expect some of you might be interested in. It is also possible to buy day-tickets as indicated below and on summerdarkness.nl. I should also note that the four groups in bold (and marked with stars should I have banned html on this group) that play on Saturday also occupy our stage, so you might be able to escape some of the bands that any sane person would avoid…

Cheers,

Mich

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

SUMMER DARKNESS 2007

Underground Lifestyle Weekend - 5th Anniversary Edition

09 + 10 + 11 + 12 August 2007

throughout the city Utrecht - Holland

http://www.summerdarkness.nl

Thursday 09.08.07:

FRONT 242
IMPLANT
DISKONNEKTED

Friday 10.08.07:

COVENANT

MODCOM

*CHAMBER*
DELAIN
LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE
ASSEMBLAGE 23
FRANK THE BAPTIST
EMILIE AUTUMN
ELUSIVE
GOTHIKA
STEINKIND
A NEW DAWN
V2A

Saturday 11.08.07:

VNV NATION

EPICA
ROTERSAND
HEIMATAERDE
INKUBUS SUKKUBUS
*H.E.R.R*

*ORDO ROSARIUS EQUILIBRIO*
KRYPTERIA
CRUXSHADOWS
GRENDEL
GENEVIEVE PASQUIER
*ROME*
XMH
[X]-RX
CRASH SYMPTOM
SUICIDAL ROMANCE
*DIE WEISSE ROSE*
JAEGERBLUT
THE NAME

PERFERATOR 23

Sunday 12.08.07:

AND ONE

MY DYING BRIDE
IN STRICT CONFIDENCE
CLIENT
ZOMBIEGIRL
STRAFTANZ
DOPE STARS INC.
ANGELSPIT
MORNING
TRISOMY
ALT-F4
OUTERSPACE OVERDOSE
ANDROGENE COLLECTIVE
MINDFIELDS
MAGION
ANNATAR

DJ'S SUMMER DARKNESS 2007:

DJ AZRAEL [ITALIA]
DJ CCCP
DJ DISTORTEDCHAOS

DJ GEORGE H. [GREECE]
DJ GUILLAUME
DJ HIVE [BELGIUM]
DJ KRAT
DJ MATT NOISE [UNITED KINGDOM]
DJ PRUTTELPOWER
DJ QUASIMODO
DJ SPUD
DJ STORM
DJ XLII

DJ -X-X-X- & HIS CYBERGIRLZZZ

Special activities throughout the city are also added - info on our site !

Presale info:

Thursday ticket:        euro 25,-

Friday ticket:  euro 25,-

Saturday ticket:        euro 30,-

Sunday ticket:  euro 25,-

4 day weekendticket [ thur/fri/sat/sun]:        euro 82,50

3 day weekendticket [ fri/sat/sun]:             euro 67,50

Reservations for visitors from foreign countries are possible at: hadassa@tivoli.nl

[ this way you are sure that you can enter our festival for sure ]

Presale or Reservations are adviced, but there will also be tickets sold at the door !

We hope to see you all there this 5th Anniversary Edition of SUMMER DARKNESS