Terminatryx

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Terminatryx

Posted by Frank Riester 12 April 2011

Featured South African Band

In 2002 Paul Blom and Sonja Ruppersberg kicked against the barrage of pandering radio-pop, commercial love songs and second rate American Hip-Hop imitations in their native country of South Africa, by creating TERMINATRYX...

Blending their eclectic love of hard- and electronic music, with that of the moods created by Sci-Fi / Horror / Extreme movies, perceptions of the world around them, and a touch of sexually charged danger to initialize their own dark edged Industrial-Rock movement, something of which there is a short supply in this beautiful, sunny country with a dark and bloody history.

Since then they have slowly cultivated and sculpted their sound, systematically shaping these creations, encapsulating the fusion-, symbiosis- and corruption of man & technology, illustrating and supplementing it with a wide range of moods and subjects, from socio-political & protest grievances, the media & consumerism, to alien visitation, an alternative to the traditional love song, a critical tirade in one of their local languages Afrikaans, biological- and digital infection, and impacting instrumentals. A strong sense of individuality, free speech, and free choice filters throughout. Reacting on the state of the world (and beyond), there is no mincing of words.

Categorization has been difficult with the band’s dark flavoured blend of female-fronted, electronically infused Industrial metal-scapes, but in addition there are many musical elements subtly filtering through across the diverse songs, from alternative, hardcore and punk flavours to electronic, dark wave and gothic hints.

Sonja_Ruppersberg

With Sonja on lead vocals, the other key component of the TERMINATRYX collective is Paul, also member of South Africa’s most influential metal band V.O.D (VOICE OF DESTRUCTION) as well as former drummer of SAMA-winners K.O.B.U.S. Besides song writing, Paul also handles all musical and production aspects for the band, such as programming, guitars and bass, keyboards and backing vocals.

The rest of Terminatryx comprises of Ronnie on drums and Patrick on guitar.

In addition, Sonja and Paul are also involved in video production, and are the creators and directors of the South African Horrorfest Film Festival. Each year and under the name The Makabra Ensemble they create an original soundtrack for a classic silent horror film (incl. Nosferatu, The Cabinet Dr. Caligari, Häxan, and Maciste In Hell), whereby such soundtracks are performed live to the screen.

It is time for this unique force to burst from its South African chains and infiltrate the rest of this rotten peach of a planet.

TERMINATRYX HIGHLIGHTS:

2003
- debut live shows supporting Diary Of Dreams (Germany) on their Dream Collector Tour
- first demo recordings available

2004
- TERMINATRYX provides music to the short film imPefection (official selection at Edinburgh ‘09 Film Fest)

2005
- creating the Venus Rising Show with female-fronted rock bands
- TERMINATRYX gets featured on Kerrang! Radio

2006
- invited to play as one of only 4 South African bands at POPKOMM in Berlin

2007
- performance at Ramfest, Cape Town’s largest alternative rock festival

2008
- release the critically acclaimed debut album
- release of the DVD “Terminatryx/Nosferatu”
- support VNV Nation on their SA tour
- support Sheep On Drugs on their SA tour

2009
- performed the live Nosferatu soundtrack at Oppikoppi, South Africa's largest rock festival

2010
- supported Sigue Sigue Sputnik’s Martin Degville on his SA tour
- played at Metal4Africa summerfest
- played Noisefest VII

2011
- release of the "Virus" music video
- release of the full remix version of their debut album, incl. Sigue Sigue Sputnik (UK), Sheep On Drugs (UK), Industriezone (Austria), The Awakening (RSA/USA) & various noted alternative South African acts