makabra ensemble

Matthijs, Paul, Sonja, Sean, Simon
Pic by Ronnie Belcher


CREATING NEW ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACKS FOR
CLASSIC SILENT FILMS FOR OVER A DECADE !


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Metropolis Makabra Ensemble

WHAT IS THE MAKABRA ENSEMBLE?

For over dozen years THE MAKABRA ENSEMBLE has been creating new scores for classic silent films, performing these live to the screen.
The group is a musical collaboration by members of TERMINATRYX, V.O.D, ISOBEL and F8 (Paul & Sonja),
LARK & MR. SAKITUMI (Simon & Sean), and violin genius Matthijs Van Dijk (The Shh...Art Ensemble, Dawntreader).

Conceived by Paul & Sonja in 2005, and born at the annual South African HORRORFEST, this musical force
creates new, original and diverse soundtracks to classic silent films, performing it live to the screen.
These have included:
Nosferatu

The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari
H
äxan
Maciste In Hell
The Phantom Of The Opera
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
Metropolis

The Hunchback Of Notre Dame
Faust
Vampyr
Frankenstein (short)


Beyond this, special guests are occasionally incorporated and have included the likes of
Francois Blom (V.O.D / K.O.B.U.S. / Die Kruis), The Crackpot Realist, Ronnie Belcher, Max Starcke, Lara Block & others.

The instruments utilized at these live performances include voice, electric guitars & bass, drums & percussion,
violin, keyboards, upright bass, various wind instruments, programming, theremin and more.

Scroll down for all the details or jump to the section of your choice by clicking the links below

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Metropolis
(2012)
Hunchback Of Notre Dame
(2013)
Dr. Caligari
(2014)

Faust
(2015)
Vampyr
(2016)
Metropolis
(2017)
Maciste In Hell
(2018)





N E W S / / / S H O W S


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MACISTE IN HELL
at the 14th annual South African HORRORFEST
Saturday 27 October, 9pm,
Labia Theatre (68 Orange Street, Cape Town)
BOOK HERE

Maciste In Hell Makabra Ensemble

The TERMINATRYX-driven MAKABRA ENSEMBLE is a project creating new soundtracks
to classic silent films, performed live to the screen.
For over 12 years the band has collaborated with the group's invaluable and talented co-members,
incl. Matthijs Van Dijk, Sean Ou Tim and Simon Ratcliffe.

The 1925 Italian movie MACISTE IN HELL has a virtuous man tricked and sent to hell,
where he kicks some ass!
Don't miss this exciting evening which is also the HorrorFest's Halloween dress-up night.
BOOK HERE

Like the Makabra Ensemble Facebook Page
Like the HorrorFest Facebook Pag




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METROPOLIS

Metropolis Makabra Ensemble

Saturday 28 October 2017 at the South African Horrorfest 
9:30pm, Labia Theatre, 68 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town

To celebrate its 90th anniversary,  The Makabra Ensemble will perform their original soundtrack for Fritz Lang's masterpiece

METROPOLIS
(1927)


One show only!

To avoid disappointment, book at: https://goo.gl/mcpiV9
rsvp & more info at the Facebook event page:www.facebook.com/events/744001662474755

In this incredible futuristic vision (of 1927), the vast city of Metropolis has the suffering working class live, work and struggle
underground, while the privileged bask high up in their towers. But the son of the city's mastermind falls in love with a
working class prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences (but it won't come without chaos and destruction!)
With fantastic sets and amazing cinematography, this film was decades ahead of its time, still resonating today - here on
28 October enhanced with a live original soundtrack at the South African HorrorFest.

Resident Makabra members Sonja Ruppersberg, Simon RatcliffeMatthijs Van Dijk , Sean Ou Tim and Paul Andre Blom will be joined by special guest Ronnie Belcher (of The Damned Crows & Terminatryx)

This will be in conjunction with the well-established HorrorFest Halloween dress-up event, prizes of which will include
R6,000 worth of tattoo prizes from Mr Lucky Tattoos, Cape Town.
All updates at:
www.facebook.com/ SouthAfricanHorrorfest
and
www.facebook.com/ MakabraEnsemble

www.horrorfest.info

Metropolis Makabra Ensemble Metropolis Makabra Ensemble Metropolis Makabra Ensemble



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VAMPYR

Vampyr Makabra Ensemble

Saturday 29 October 2016 at the South African Horrorfest 
8:45pm, Labia Theatre, 68 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town

This year's live soundtrack performance by The Makabra Ensemble will be for the amazing 1932 French-German classic VAMPYR.
One show only!
To avoid disappointment, book at: http://qkt.io/8D6Zf1

Resident Makabra members Sonja Ruppersberg, Simon RatcliffeMatthijs Van Dijk and Paul Andre Blom will be joined by special guest musicians Ronnie Belcher (of The Damned Crows & Terminatryx) and Nerine Dorman (Isobel - formerly A Murder) ). 
This will also be the customary HorrorFest Halloween dress-up event and the HorrorFest market will be outside the theatre from noon until 9pm.
All updates at:
www.facebook.com/ SouthAfricanHorrorfest

www.horrorfest.info




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FAUST

Faust - Makabra Ensemble

Friday 30 October 2015 at the South African Horrorfest 
8:45pm, Labia Theatre, 68 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town
The Makabra Ensemble will be their new soundtrack for FAUST (by Nosferatu director F.W. Murnau).
This amazing and tragic 1926 film takes Goethe's tale of a man tempted by the demon Mephisto to sell his soul for youth,
and turns it into a historic visual accomplishment (further enhanced by this brand new soundtrack).
Book now to avoid disappointment.
The evening will coincide with the Halloween dress-up competition and night market.




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THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI
The 2014 MAKABRA ENSEMBLE silent movie live soundtrack performance will be for the legendary
German Expressionist film THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI.
1 show only on Halloween night at the South African HORRORFEST
Book at Quicket


Caligari


Caligari

Live sound by Point Blanc

Point Blanc




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THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME
8:30pm, Wednesday 6 November 2013
@ the 2013 South African HORRORFEST Film Festival
(Labia Theatre, 68 Orange Str, Cape Town)


Hunchback Makabra Ensemble

The Makabra Ensemble returns to the event that gave birth to it, the South African HORRORFEST.
For this 9th edition of the event, The Makabra Ensemble will perform their 8th silent film score adaptation.

Based on the writing of Victor Hugo, in 15th century France, a gypsy girl is framed for murder by the infatuated Chief Justice,
and only the deformed bellringer of Notre Dame Cathedral can save her.

One show only
Booking essential
For more info on the HorrorFest line-up & activities: www.HORRORFEST.info

Hunchback Makabra


Live sound by Point Blanc

Point Blanc




H Ä X A N

(aka HEKSEN / THE WITCH)
9:00pm, Saturday 28 April 2013
@ the 2013 Sound On Screen Music Film Festival
(Labia Theatre, 68 Orange Str, Cape Town)


Haxan Makabra Ensemble

The Makabra Ensemble first performed this amazing movie's new soundtrack in 2008, so it's time it gets resurrected!
One show only.
Live sound by Point Blanc

Point Blanc

Häxan was decades ahead of its time, and so amazingly executed, from the cinematography, to the special effects. With a blend of dramatization, historic artwork and documentary-style depiction, director Christensen delved into the phenomenon of witchcraft with the bold depiction of rituals, the satanic Sabbat, inquisition & torture, possessed nuns, and the general misconceptions that led to the murder of millions of innocent people falsely accused of practicing witchcraft.

Tickets: R50 each - Booking essential. Call 021 424 5927 / On-line booking activated soon at Quicket.co.za


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N O S F E R A T U
8:15pm, Wednesday 31 October 2012
@ The South African HorrorFest
Halloween Night, Labia Theatre
(Orange Str, Cape Town)

Nosferatu
The great-grandfather of vampire movies, F.W. Murnau's timeless 1922 classic NOSFERATU has its 90th anniversary this year!

And what better way to celebrate it than with a Makabra Ensemble live performance?
Catch it on Halloween night at the 8th annual South African HORRORFEST.
www.horrorfest.info

This is also the Halloween dress-up night of the event with killer prizes.

Order the Nosferatu DVD here





M E T R O P O L I S
9pm, Saturday 30 June 2012
@ Celludroid Sci-Fi / Anime / Fantasy Film Festival
Labia Theatre
(Orange Str, Cape Town)

metropolis
The Makabra Ensemble will debut its new soundtrack to the screening of Fritz Lang's legendary METROPOLIS at Celludroid Mach III, the 3rd annual Sci-Fi / Anime / Fantasy Film Festival (29 June - 5 July).

This performance at Celludroid will happen
Saturday 30 June, 9pm
@ The Labia Theatre, 68 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town
To book, call 021 424 5927

Event site: www.CELLUDROID.net
Celludroid Facebook Event Page

Live sound provided by
Point Blanc Event Tech Solution




M E T R O P O L I S

8pm, Tuesday 18 September 2012
@ Sound & Motion Studios' Creative Week
(Harrington Str, Cape Town)

metropolis

German director Fritz Lang's ground-breaking Sci-Fi epic METROPOLIS (1924) had its Makabra Ensemble live soundtrack debut at the 2012 Celludroid Film Festival in June.

If you missed it or want to catch it again, and find yourself in the Cape Town area, there are very limited seats available for a special performance at the 10th anniversary Creative Week event of Sound & Motion Studios.
Visit the Sound & Motion site here www.soundandmotion.co.za/creativeweek for info on booking & rsvp (entry is free of charge but seats are limited!)

A lecture on music video production will also happen this night, and include some Terminatryx videos in a screening session of various artists.





makabra ensemble

KEY MEMBERS

Centre: Sonja Ruppersberg
Clockwise from top left: Simon Ratcliffe, Paul Blom, Matthijs Van Dijk, Sean Ou Tim

makabra ensemble
> images by Paul Blom & Sonja Ruppersberg <

THE CONCEPT

In 2005 Paul Blom and Sonja Ruppersberg (key members of the Industrial-Metal band TERMINATRYX) created the annual South African HORRORFEST Film Festival, hosted every Halloween season. From the very first installment they introduced one of the festival highlights: once-off live soundtrack performances to the screening of classic silent horror movies.

As producers of this concept, Paul and Sonja are also an active and integral part in the creation and performance of these live soundtracks via their band TERMINATRYX, collaborating with musical friends, some becoming a fixture at each year’s HORRORFEST.

The live soundtrack movies at the S.A. HORRORFEST (Oppi Koppi music festival & White Room Sessions) have included:

The Phantom Of The Opera (1925) - performed in 2005 (by Mattjijs Van Dijk & string quintet)  
Nosferatu (1922) - performed in 2006, 2009 (@ Oppi Koppi) & 2012
The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari (1920) - performed in 2007, 2014
Häxan (1922) - performed in 2008
Maciste In Hell (1925) - performed in 2009 & 2010 (@ Oppi Koppi)
The Phantom Of The Opera (1925) - performed in 2010
Dr. Jekyl & Mr. Hyde (1925) - performed in 2011
Metropolis (1924) - performed in 2012
The Hunchabck Of Notre Dame (1923) - performed in 2013
Faust (1926) - performed in 2015
 

In 2009, the HORRORFEST infiltrated the Northern regions of South Africa for the very first time via this live soundtrack performance to NOSFERATU at the OPPI KOPPI music festival (in conjunction with the official launch of the “Terminatryx / Nosferatu” DVD, which contains the full feature film and its new soundtrack - recorded live at the South African HORRORFEST Film Festival (2006), plus Terminatryx music videos, a look at the HorrorFest, photo galleries, a dark short film by Paul Blom & Sonja Ruppersberg > featuring a Terminatryx & F8 soundtrack entitled "imPERFECTION").
Order the Nosferatu DVD here


THE MUSICIANS

Paul Blom & Sonja Ruppersberg :
Paul & Sonja created TERMINATRYX in 2002 (pronounced: “terminaytrix”) in reaction to the local scene lacking in bands catering to their very specific taste. It led to the birth of a female-fronted, electronically infused blend of Industrial, Metal, and several other alternative styles.
Sonja is on vocals with Paul in charge of music and production. They released their critically acclaimed self-titled debut album mid-2008, followed by the “Terminatryx / Nosferatu” DVD, and remixes of the album (2011). New studio album expected in 2013. They’ve played across South Africa and at the Popkomm music industry convention in Berlin, Germany, and has opened for international acts like DIARY OF DREAMS, SHEEP ON DRUGS, VNV NATION, and SIGUE SIGUE SPUTNIK.
They released a full remix album of the debut (incl. international remixers like Martin Degville (& Lloyd Price) from Sigue Sigue Sputnik (UK), Sheep On Drugs (UK), Industriezone (Austria), Modern-e-Quartet (Greece), as well as SA acts like Battery 9, NuL, Mr. Sakitumi, Jekyll & Hyde, iRONic, Axxon etc.

The 2nd studio album "Shadow" was release 04 / 04 / 14.
The rest of Terminatryx consists of Patrick Davidson on guitar and Ronnie Belcher on drums.
Paul & Sonja are the creators of the South African HORRORFEST-, X FEST-, SOUND ON SCREEN-, DARING DOCCIES-, CELLUDROID Film Festivals, and CINEMANIACS.
Under FLAMEDROP PRODUCTIONS they run these film festivals, produce their own music, short films & music videos, and created & compiled the historic KOPSKOOT! heavy Afrikaans compilation album. Paul is also a member of South African Metal Godfathers VOICE OF DESTRUCTION (V.O.D) since the late-‘80s, has a solo project entitled F8, and played for K.O.B.U.S. until early 2008.

At the HORRORFEST soundtrack performances Paul and Sonja utilize voices with effects, bass guitar, electric guitar, live drums, programming and keyboards.


Matthijs Van Dijk :
Born into a musical family, Matthijs is a former violin pupil of Jack de Wet and Farida Bacharova. He is an active chamber and orchestral musician, composer and arranger, and completed a B-Mus in Composition at UCT.As a violinist, he has been involved in numerous chamber ensembles, as well an ad hoc player with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra.Matthijs started composing when he was nine and to date has written 6 string quartets, 2 piano trios, a violin sonata, a symphonic song-cycle, several orchestral overtures and numerous smaller chamber works. In 2005 Matthijs was nominated for a Kanna Award for his work with Karen Zoid at the KKNK.
In 2006 he orchestrated Phillip Miller’s score for the Philip Noyce film “Catch a Fire” and was also the recipient of the prestigious SAMRO Overseas Scholarship for Composition.
In 2008 the violin and harp duo Clockwise commissioned "Though The Cherry Trees Don’t Blossom…" as part of their national tour of South Africa and performances in the United States.
From 2002 till 2007, Matthijs was the vocalist/guitarist/violinist and songwriter for the Cape Town based rock band DAWN TREADER, releasing an EP in 2007.
Since 2005 he has been involved with soundtrack collaborations at the S.A. HORRORFEST.Matthijs’ weapon of choice for the live soundtrack performances is an electric violin with multi-effects.
Simon “Fuzzy” Ratcliffe :
Fuzzy began his musical journey playing jazz and swing trumpet, ultimately moving onto various other wind instruments, such as flute and sax, where he's always been his most comfortable. While he's played bass for a while he first started playing upright bass with Capetonian Trip-Hop pioneers 1931 Raygun and has since moved on to various Eastern and World instruments, such as the Armenian Duduk, and Indian Bansuri. Over the years he's played as a session and studio musician, and been involved in various theatre productions.A sound engineer by profession and owner of Sound & Motion Studios, Fuzzy is probably best known as bassist and wind instrumentalist for groundbreaking electro group LARK. With almost 15 years in the sound industry behind him, he's worked in various capacities on projects for the likes of Dirty Skirts, Shy Gyevaras, Terminatryx, Fetish, Springbok Nude Girls, Hog Hoggidy Hog, Muse String Quartet, as well as international acts such as Kanye West, INXS, UB40, Steven Spielberg's “Dreamworks” and the BBC. His engineering skills have garnered him wins and nominations in the SAMA, Vita, Loerie & more.Fuzzy as been with Horrorfest since 2006, and his only regret is that he missed the first one!

The instruments he utilizes for the horror soundtrack performances include: upright bass, bass guitar, flutes and woodwinds, programming, FX and theremin.


Sean Ou Tim :
Sean is a classically trained pianist (starting at the age of 8). He moved on to guitar and bass, and then drums.
He played in various bands incl.: URBAN CREEP, BATTERY 9, GODESSA, MAX NORMAL, LARK, CLOSET SNARE, ANDY LUND & THE MISSION MEN.
He currently performs live electronic beats as MR. SAKITUMI, using live sampling, FX, turntable scratching and bass guitar.

Sean plays live drums and uses samples for the HORRORFEST soundtrack performances.
2009 was Sean’s 4th year involved with the HORRORFEST soundtracks, and he’s lost count of all the Oppi Koppi’s he’s played!



D V D - R E L E A S E S

The TERMINATRYX / NOSFERATU DVD contains the 1922 silent vampire classic with a new original
soundtrack as performed live at the 2006 South African HORRORFEST Film Festival screening,
by members of TERMINATRYX and very special guests. (This was before the project got the Makabra Ensemble title).
Additional material includes music videos, photo galleries, a short film and more.
The DVD cover is interchangable to feature either TERMINATRYX or NOSFERATU


order the DVD on-line at:

www.ONEWORLD.co.za

(all movies performed by The Makabra Ensemble is set to be released on DVD)


L I V E - S O U N D T R A C K - P E R F O R M A N C E S
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all HORRORFEST & CELLUDROID posters designed by Paul Blom
(except 2010 with Dr-Benway & 2009 painted by Vernon Swart)
©
Flamedrop Productions


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2013 HorrorFest poster

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME

8:30pm, Wednesday 6 November 2013
@ the 2013 South African HORRORFEST Film Festival
(Labia Theatre, 68 Orange Str, Cape Town)


Hunchback Makabra Ensemble

The Makabra Ensemble returns to the event that gave birth to it, the South African HORRORFEST.
For this 9th edition of the event, The Makabra Ensemble will perform their 8th silent film score adaptation.

Based on the writing of Victor Hugo, in 15th century France, a gypsy girl is framed for murder by the infatuated Chief Justice,
and only the deformed bellringer of Notre Dame Cathedral can save her.

One show only
Booking essential
For more info on the HorrorFest line-up & activities: www.HORRORFEST.info

Hunchback Makabra


Live sound by Point Blanc

Point Blanc



Sound On Screen

H Ä X A N

(aka HEKSEN / THE WITCH)
9:00pm, Saturday 28 April 2013
@ the 2013 Sound On Screen Music Film Festival
(Labia Theatre, 68 Orange Str, Cape Town)


Haxan Makabra Ensemble

The Makabra Ensemble first performed this amazing movie's new soundtrack in 2008, so it's time it gets resurrected!
One show only.
Live sound by Point Blanc

Point Blanc

Häxan was decades ahead of its time, and so amazingly executed, from the cinematography, to the special effects. With a blend of dramatization, historic artwork and documentary-style depiction, director Christensen delved into the phenomenon of witchcraft with the bold depiction of rituals, the satanic Sabbat, inquisition & torture, possessed nuns, and the general misconceptions that led to the murder of millions of innocent people falsely accused of practicing witchcraft.

Tickets: R50 each - Booking essential. Call 021 424 5927 / On-line booking at Quicket.co.za


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Celludroid 2012


The 7th silent motion picture tackled by The Makabra Ensemble was Fritz Lang's legendary 1927 futuristic classic
METROPOLIS

The Makabra Ensemble has performed soundtracks to a range of landmark silent films since 2005 at the South African HorrorFest Film Festival, Oppi Koppi Music Festival and Sound & Motion Studios' White Room Sessions.
This was their first performance at a Celludroid event. 

In the world of Metropolis the suffering workers live and struggle underground while the privileged basks high up in their towers. A woman who may be the saviour of the downtrodden is replaced by a cyborg to sow division and destruction!

Live sound by Point Blanc Event Tech Solutions - www.pointblanc.co.za
Live recording by Sound & Motion Studios - www.soundandmotion.co.za
Instrument support: Paul Bothner Music -
 www.bothners.co.za

M E T R O P O L I S
8pm, Tuesday 18 September 2012
@ Sound & Motion Studios' Creative Week
(Harrington Str, Cape Town)

metropolis

German director Fritz Lang's ground-breaking Sci-Fi epic METROPOLIS (1924) had its Makabra Ensemble live soundtrack debut at the 2012 Celludroid Film Festival in June.

If you missed it or want to catch it again, and find yourself in the Cape Town area, there are very limited seats available for a special performance at the 10th anniversary Creative Week event of Sound & Motion Studios.
Visit the Sound & Motion site here www.soundandmotion.co.za/creativeweek for info on booking & rsvp (entry is free of charge but seats are limited!)

A lecture on music video production will also happen this night, and include some Terminatryx videos in a screening session of various artists.



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sa horrorfest 2011

The Makabra Ensemble soundtrack for the 2011 South African HORRORFEST Film Festival was
DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE
(1920)
Based on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale of man's evil nature and the idealistic Dr. Jekyll's exploration
of his dark side with the development of a potion which brings out his lustful,
| violent and murderous alter ego, Mr. Hyde.

jekylljekyll hyde hyde




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2010 SA Horrorfest

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
The silent movie chosen for 2010 was the 1925 Phantom Of The Opera. This was in fact the first ever live soundtrack at the 2005 S.A. HORRORFEST by Matthijs Van Dijk with a string quintet, but THE MAKABRA ENSEMBLE decided to give this a re-take with their diverse approach and instrumentation. The audience approved overwhelmingly with a full house (and additional seats brought in).

phantom opera makabra ensemble

The legendary 1925 version of Gaston Leroux's tale of a facially deformed man living in the catacombs of a Paris opera house obsessed with one of the singers, is a true cinematic landmark. With so many takes on the tale, this is the definitive one, featuring Lon Chaney Sr. in the title role.

As with each year's Halloween highlight, THE MAKABRA ENSEMBLE performed this new original soundtrack
to this silent classic with a range of electronic and acoustic instruments, right there below the big screen.

This show also hosted the Halloween Dress Up competition of the HORRORFEST, with the first prize of an X BOX 360 plus games, including the creepy Horror title Alan Wake.


2010 THE MAKABRA ENSEMBLE was again booked for a live movie soundtrack performance at South Africa's largest music festival OPPI KOPPI, on 7 August 2010!
The movie chosen was MACISTE IN HELL (which made its debut at the 2009 South African HORRORFEST),
and went down a storm.



www.HORRORFEST.info




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Where traditionally there is only a single MAKABRA ENSEMBLE soundtrack performance of a different movie each year, 2009 saw no less than 3 shows. These included the performance of the NOSFERATU soundtrack at South Africa's biggest music festival, Oppi Koppi (in August), the first performance of MACISTE IN HELL at the South African HORRORFEST over Halloween (October), and an encore performance of MACISTE at Sound & Motion Studios' White Room Sessions (December).

(This poster design painted by Vernon Swart from a photo of Sonja taken by Dr-Benway)

MACISTE IN HELL
(Maciste all'Inferno)
Live Soundtrack Performance at the
2009 South African HORRORFEST Film Festival
31 October (Halloween Night), 9pm @ The Labia Theatre, Orange Street, Cape Town, ZA
by TERMINATRYX, members of LARK & special guests

The 5th annual HORRORFEST live soundtrack performance was for the 1925 Italian infernal epic,
MACISTE IN HELL (Maciste all'inferno).
A brave man is tricked and trapped in Hell, where his virtue and strength persists, but he teaches the demons a lesson they'll never forget.



Members of Terminatryx and Lark (now accumulatively known as THE MAKABRA ENSEMBLE) were joined by special guests Max Starcke (on sax and guitar) and Lara Block (on cello) to perform this rare, single show of an eclectic, moody and exciting new original soundtrack, below the silver screen.


This Halloween-night spectacular also featured the festival's dress-up evening with various prizes
> viewers photographed by Ronnie Belcher <

Live sound supplied by HELLFIRE / Live recording by SOUND & MOTION Studios

www.HORRORFEST.info - www.HellFire.co.za - www.SoundAndMotion.co.za


Post-show full moon


MACISTE IN HELL
White Room Session Encore Performance - 13 December '09

The final live show for 2009 by TERMINATRYX was as THE MAKABRA ENSEMBLE
performing an encore show of the MACISTE IN HELL live soundtrack
at SOUND & MOTION STUDIOS on Sunday 13 December 2009
together with Simon, Sean, Max and Lara.
Limited seats at this White Room session was by invitation only.


TERMINATRYX / NOSFERATU
Live Movie Soundtrack Performance @ OPPI KOPPI - 8 August '09

> images by Paul Blom & Ryan Skully Demoser <


FLAMEDROP PRODUCTIONS and the South African HORRORFEST present :
the NOSFERATU live soundtrack performance at The OPPI KOPPI Music Festival (7-9 August 2009).

TERMINATRYX and special musical guests from LARK and DAWN TREADER added a new dimension to the Oppi Koppi music festival when performing their original soundtrack to the screening of the classic 1922 silent vampire film NOSFERATU, (in conjunction with the countrywide DVD release “TERMINATRYX / NOSFERATU”, containing the full feature film and its new soundtrack, as performed live at the South African HORRORFEST Film Festival).

The musicians partaking in this unique audio-visual experience: Paul Blom, Sonja Ruppersberg, Simon "Fuzzy" Ratcliffe, Sean Ou Tim and Matthijs Van Dijk.
(Francois Blom from V.O.D and K.O.B.U.S. took part in the original 2006 performance of this soundtrack).

This was only be the second time ever this soundtrack is to be performed live to this legendary movie’s screening, and is an unforgettable and unique audio-visual experience as the innovative original soundtrack breathes new life into the enthralling visuals with a blend of voice, bass guitars, samples, electric guitars, electric violin, beats, electronics, drums, woodwind instruments, flutes and more.

This version of the live NOSFERATU soundtrack will contain most of the original audio creations, but there will definitely be fresh inclusions.

German director F.W. Murnau's NOSFERATU was released in 1922, based on Dracula (Bram Stoker's legendary tale of vampires and undying love). With an amazing grasp of this new technology at the time, Murnau created a timeless motion picture still as vivid and visually enticing as it was on its release over 8 decades ago. 




Venue :
Oppi Koppi Farm, Northam, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Date : Saturday 8 August 2009
Time : 10:20pm on the Levi's Stage (see website for any changes)
Festival Info : http://www.OppiKoppi.co.za
Tickets : http://www.tunegum.co.za



Sean & Simon on board

Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=106214952285
Order the “TERMINATRYX / NOSFERATU” DVD on-line at: www.OneWorld.co.za
South African HORRORFEST: http://www.HORRORFEST.info



It was the first time a concept like this was introduced in the decade+ existence of the
prestigious Oppi Koppi music festival.
The big screen was beside the stage, doubling the viewing area of both the live musicians and the movie.

 

It was expected that it would be difficult securing and keeping an audience at a huge weekend rock festival with several stages (and a lot of alcohol), and had foreseen those who came to investigate to disperse halfway through the 70 minute performance, featuring many dark and slow moods between the diverse audio eruptions.



But, the huge crowd assembling for this Nosferatu soundtrack spectacle were enthralled, nailed to both the screen and the musicians performing beside it, as they were spread across a wide area of this bushveld setting, from left to right, and up into the tree covered hill, none leaving until the very end.
The movie was preceded by the debut screening of the TERMINATRYX "Siek+Sat" music video rough cut.






Pre-show magazine interview with Paul & Sonja



OPPI KOPPI / NOSFERATU REHEARSALS - 2009
@ Sound & Motion Studios, Cape Town


> images by Ronnie Belcher <



It had been around 3 years since The Makabra Ensemble had performed the Nosferatu soundtrack
at the 2006 HorrorFest Film Festival, so rehearsals were advised.
This happened a few weeks before the Oppi Koppi performance in the screening room
of Simon Ratcliffe's Sound & Motion Studios, Harrington Street, Cape Town.








































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HÄXAN
(aka HEKSEN / THE WITCH)
Live Soundtrack Performance at the
2008 South African HORRORFEST Film Festival
by TERMINATRYX, members of LARK & special guests

This superb 1922 silent classic directed by Benjamin Christensen was chosen for the 2007 HORRORFEST live soundtrack performance.

With the popularity of these performances outgrowing the size of the theatre,
2008 saw two consecutive shows for Häxan on Halloween night
(as too many disappointed viewers had to be turned away previously when it sold out).



Häxan was decades ahead of its time, and so amazingly executed, from the cinematography, to the special effects. With a blend of dramatization, historic artwork and documentary-style depiction, Christensen delved into the phenomenon of witchcraft with the bold depiction of rituals, the satanic Sabbat, inquisition & torture, possessed nuns, and the general misconceptions that led to the murder of millions of innocent people falsely accused of practicing witchcraft. This movie pretty much ruined Christensen’s career as the world wasn’t ready for such daring filmmaking.


> images by Robin Ogden & Paul Blom <


L-R: Matthijs Van Dijk, Sonja Ruppersberg, Paul Blom, , Simon Ratcliffe, Sean Ou Tim


Paul & Sonja from TERMINATRYX was joined by recurring collaborators Simon & Sean (LARK) and violin maestro Matthijs Van Dijk, performing the new, eclectic soundtrack live to the screen.
The language of choice for Sonja's vocals were Latin, and this time round both Paul and Sean utilized acoustic drums for certain parts, sometimes playing in tandem.
As with each year, this Halloween night (31 October) the audience was encouraged to arrive dressed for the occasion – with prizes for those making the most effort.






This Halloween at the HORRORFEST also saw the Cape Town launch of the TERMINATRYX DVD which includes the legendary silent vampire movie NOSFERATU (with its new musical soundtrack as performed by at the 2006 HORRORFEST).





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THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI
(Das Cabinet Des Dr. Caligari)
Live Soundtrack Performance at the
2007 South African HORRORFEST Film Festival
by TERMINATRYX, members of LARK & special guests




On Halloween night, Robert Wiene’s legendary German film THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI (1919) loomed on the screen to a live soundtrack created by members of TERMINATRYX and LARK.
They were joined by guest artists THE CRACKPOT REALIST, Ishaan and Ella.

> images by Henri-Jacques Blom, Robin Ogden & Paul Blom <




The expressionistic film follows the tale of a magician at a fair who has a somnambulist (sleepwalker), who can predict the future. When a man asks when he’ll die, the prediction is, “by dawn” – and it happens! This leads to further mayhem and panic. With an incredibly effective and graphic angular expressionistic style in the set design, this piece of cinema history is still something to behold – and here further enhanced with the new live soundtrack. (The language chosen for Sonja's vocals was, naturally, German).


L-R: (special guest) The Crackpot Realist, Sean Ou Tim, Simon Ratcliffe, Sonja Ruppersberg, Paul Blom

Caligari Review by Something Wicked Magazine Editor Joe Vaz - Saturday, November 17, 2007:

Having missed last year's HORRORFEST Finale of Terminatryx and Lark's original, live soundtrack to Nosferatu, I made damn sure I didn't miss this year's The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. I'd only ever seen snippets of the film on YouTube and, like all 70+ year old black and white silent movies it looks cheesy, corny and quite silly. But all that changed on the 31st of Oct 2007. Watching a classic like Caligari in a darkened theatre with a live 21st Century soundtrack suddenly brings back the scale of this picture.
What a fucking masterpiece - instead of giggling at the screen I found myself suddenly entranced. Hanging on every (written) word. The score, composed and performed by Paul and Sonja from Terminatryx, Sean and Fuzzy from Lark, and The Crackpot Realist was beautifully pieced together, altogether haunting and kick-ass with a combination of acoustic and electronic sounds with vocal contortions supplied by Sonja and one of The Crackpot Realist's collaborators. What they manage to achieve is to completely revitalize this classic.

For the first time I found myself completely enthralled by a silent movie - marveling at the stylistic approach to the film making, finding the obvious inspirations of such great genre directors as Tim Burton and Sam Raimi.
With their soundtrack they managed to make the classic breathe again, resurrecting it for a new generation of film-makers to marvel at the magic of silver screen.
I can't wait for next year's!



Sonja Ruppersberg outside Cape Town's legendary Labia Theatre,
home of the annual South African HORRORFEST International Film Festival


Formalities & introductions
Paul & Sean


Sonja below the screen waiting for the projector to roll
(Blood-Cross necklace from www.Plastic-Bat.co.za)


Sean & his popcorn



The show begins...



"Fuzzy"


The Crackpot Realist (middle) & his additional collaborators Ishaan & Ella



The misty morning after the performance




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NOSFERATU
Live Soundtrack Performance at the
2006 South African HORRORFEST Film Festival
by TERMINATRYX, Matthijs Van Dijk, and members of LARK, K.O.B.U.S. / V.O.D

The first performance of the new, original soundtrack to the screening of the 1922 vampire classic NOSFERATU
by Sonja & Paul (from TERMINATRYX),
Simon & Sean (from LARK), Francois (from V.O.D and K.O.B.U.S) and Matthijs Van Dijk, happened on the dawn of Halloween night,
30 October 2006 at the 2nd annual South African HORRORFEST Film Festival - hosted at the Labia independent theatre.
(This was also performed at the Oppi Koppi music film festival on 8 August 2009)
www.HORRORFEST.info

> image by Paul Blom <



German director F.W. Murnau's NOSFERATU was released in 1922, based on Dracula (Bram Stoker's legendary tale of
vampires and undying love). With an amazing grasp of this new technology at the time, Murnau created a timeless motion picture
still as vivid and visually enticing as it was on its release over 85 years ago.
Now, this classic silent movie is resurrected with a new, diverse soundtrack performed live to the screen by Terminatryx
and special guests from Lark and Dawn Treader.
Also available on DVD.

click here for secure on-line orders

The wide range of visually enthralling scenes were given a diverse set of moods and emotion with the combination of instruments including:
upright bass, electic guitar, electric bass, sampled percussion, programming, electric violin,
keyboards, flutes & woodwind instruments, FX, theremin and vocals in Romanian.
Extra seats had to be brought into the sold out venue.
www.HORRORFEST.info




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THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Live Soundtrack Performance at the
2005 debut South African HORRORFEST Film Festival
by Matthijs Van Dijk & his string quintet

The live movie soundtrack concept produced by Paul Blom and Sonja Ruppersberg
kick-started with the very first South African HORROR FEST
(conceived in 2003/2004, and) hosted in 2005.
The festival's alternate title is The HORROR FESTACULAR.



The movie selected for this debut event was the amazing PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, the chosen composer
becoming one of the MAKABRA ENSEMBLE's key members, violin player Matthijs Van Dijk, who
wrote an epic soundtrack for string quintet (whilst still studying music at UCT)

> image by Paul Blom <




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