(click dates for full gig review)
As 2 guys from MIRROR OF DECEPTION had to leave a bit earlier, they decided to play next. Corresponding to their popularity nearly everybody in the audience contributed filling the space in front of the stage banging and / or dancing to the hypnotic feeling of their master pieces. Unfortunately original singer Baumi was still not able to perform with his band mates because of familiar reasons. But guitar player Siffi managed again to do a great vocal performance live so it was not too obvious the duet harmony vocals were missing. The main part of the songs played was of course from their latest output �Mirrosoil� (�Sole�, Mirrorsoil�, Veil Of Lead�, Asylum�, �Float�) filled up with some songs known from earlier demos and compilation CDs (�Yearn�, �Leaves�) and a new one called �Distant�. The highlight, as at every show, was �Asylum� with the �vocal didgeridoo� like head voice from Siffi leading to one of the best doom songs ever! Of course the audience did not agree when M.O.D. announced the end of their show and had to stay for an encore called �Be Kept In Suspence�. Unfortunately they didn�t want to play �Asylum� again at the end as demanded by some voices from the audience. (Kurt Winter)
bradford/ uk february 2001 (british metal):
Finally Mirror Of Deception take to the stage. They seem to have their own little take on the Doom sound and with two vocalists. Their songs tend to build up slowly to a creshendo but then seem to unceremoniously petre out. Their certainly interesting to watch even if not too memorable. (thorn666)
7/10
g�ppingen/ germany december 2000 (psychedelic zine #8):
Then it was time for the main attraction of the evening, the band we all wanted to give honor to: Mirror of Deception. If you ever experienced one of their shows you know what to expect: A more than solid rhythm section that lays a thick foundation for two excellently harmonizing guitars, which often play melodies different from that of the vocal lines yet matching them perfectly. Vocals itself is an aspect that MoD deal with in their very own style. Frontman Baumi performs his parts in a way not comparable to most other singers in the Doom scene. He isn't that kind of a dark figure but appears subtle and slightly restrained giving life to heartfelt melodies. On the other hand it's always nice to listen to his silly remarks in between songs when he's making fun of some stereotypes you often hear from many musicians on stage. Guitarist Siffi is also doing a lot of vocals, some even in an experimental manner that you'd rather expect to hear in a Tibetan monastery. All of this and more were what the band had to offer that night. I think it must have been by far the longest MoD gig I ever had the opportunity to experience. They played all the tracks of the current album, including my fave's "Float" and "Weiss", also newer, unreleased stuff, awesome cover versions of "One Mind" and "Hippie's Triumph" (guess the originals and win Barry Manilow's worn underwear) and as a special surprise for this special event they even unearthed songs they hadn't performed for ages. So finally brother Kodo got to hear "Mirror of Deception", a tune from the first demo he was always pleading for in all those years. On your knees, man! As MoD is not only a band but also kind of a family, some guests were asked to join the stage in order to share some memories and a great present time. So we got the chance to hear and see their original drummer and Matze from End of Green. Great band, great show, more beer... (carsten buchhold)
Yeah, and now the main reason for the 500-kilometer trip: Mirror of Deception! Five great guys, ten years great music, what shall I say more. They started with �Veil of lead�, for me in this version one of the best of their own songs, the next was �Asylum�, and then ... I know this band since 1994, we (Dreaming) did our first gig with them. You can see all the songs they did at the set list, I'm not willing to write about each song, cause I can't be objective, I like this band too much. It was a great show, and with �Schwager� there was a really obscure song from their very, very old times. And there were a lot of specials: so there was the old drummer Ingo, there was the old bass player Rainer (now End of Green), there was Matze (End of Green, Voodoo Shock)... I can't tell you exactly the whole gig, I was too impressed (and a little bit to drunken, not too drunken I hope), I met a lot of old friends, I had to speak a lot..., and there was Grottesoich (I hope I write I right), a really good mix between some juice and hard alcohol). Summa sumarum, a cool gig from a cool band, watch out for �Mirrorsoil� January this year. (Thomas Schulz)
stuttgart/ germany july 2000:
Next up was Mirror of Deception. Here I was finally able to experience a live set from an old time favorite. Honestly, being from Fremont, California, I never ever expected to see this local cult doom act live. Some sheer melodic doomy heaviness blasted from the stage during this set. I�m unfortunately unable to remember exactly which songs were in the set, but I�m sure I heard �cease� and� be kept in suspense� + others from their forthcoming cd �Mirrorsoil. It is hard for me to put into words this experience. Unfortunately for me the set ended after about 45 minutes and closed the curtain on any chance of me experiencing this again. (Rob Preston)
geislingen january 2000 (psychedelic zine #6):
MIRROR OF DECEPTION had a bitter taste because they needed to enter stage without singer Baumi. He�s had a more important date this night. Anyway it turned out excellent. Normally they sing as a duet most of the time. Michael Sifferman (guitar/vox) did a great job on that, and I need to say that again that I liked it much more this time than other times with Baumi... I hope their new CD will be released sometime this year (it�s already March !!). (Uwe Groebel)
