Better known for his work as a sculptor and as the designer of some of the startling stage sets used by bands such as MAYHEM, Spacebrain (René M. Hamel) has continuing to develop his role as musician with his own project SUCHTHAUS, a band with close links to the Industrial genre, but one, which its founder insists, is impossible to categorise, as it encompasses aspects from many genres. As Spacebrain explains “I like to listen to a variety of music, and I didn’t really want to restrict myself to composing and playing in a narrowly defined style. SUCHTHAUS gives me the freedom to sculpt a piece of music in much the same way as I would sculpt a piece of art, but using sound instead of metal or other tangible materials”.
Spacebrain’s career as a musician started as bass player with SKITLIV, the Blackened Doom band of former MAYHEM vocalist Maniac. Although he eventually left SKITLIV when his own project SUCHTHAUS started taking up more of his time, Spacebrain continues to work with Maniac on a video for SKITLIV, whilst Maniac has provided vocals for the SUCHTHAUS track “Downtown Train”, which is now streaming on the band’s MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/suchthaus
Aside from Spacebrain on what he likes to call “holy bass”, SUCHTHAUS’ line up includes Die Stimmen on vocals, Sick Barrett on guitars and DJ Flashback on “electric Lucifer”. SKITLIV guitarist Ingvar Magnusson has been known to make a guest appearance, and David Tibet (CURRENT 93) allowed the use of some of his work on the track “Indian Run” which can also be heard on MySpace.
Permanently based in Norway, Spacebrain is also the owner of the Spacebunker, the Oslo venue where music and sculpture mix. Originally starting life as his studio, the venue is decorated with some of Spacebrain’s unique sculptures and, appropriately enough, items from his stage sets.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Suchthaus: http://www.myspace.com/suchthaus
Spacebrain: http://www.myspace.com/spacebrainartfromhell
The Spacebunker: http://www.myspace.com/spacebunker
Höllen Engel: http://www.myspace.com/putsatanachia
