History

Diorama was founded in 1996. as a musical project of Torben Wendt[2]. Torben’s talent was soon recognized by Adrian Hates of Diary of Dreams, so with his support and the support of Rainer Assmann (Daf/ Fad Gadget), a debut-album “Pale” was released in 1999. It was received very well both by the critics and the audience.[3]

In 2000. Torben’s friend Felix Marc joined Diorama as a keyboard player, co-producer and backing vocalist. The second album “Her Liquid Arms” was released in April 2001. Despite it’s stronger rhythms and more forceful electronic sounds, the music preserved it’s distinctive atmosphere, established with the first album. The song “Advance” became one of the leading club hits and the band was becoming increasingly popular. The second album was followed by club-oriented single “Device” (December, 2001.)

Bassist Bernard Le Sigue joined the band the following year, and together with Torben and Felix saw the release of the third album, named “The Art Of Creating Confusing Spirits”, the album was released in October 2002. During the November and December of the same year, Diorama supported Diary of Dreams on tour.

After a long break and another addition to the band’s line-up (guitar player Sash Fiddler joining in 2003), the long-awaited fourth album "Amaroid" was released in April 2005. For the promotion of the new album, the band joined VNV Nation, on their “Formation” tour. In October 2005, Diorama released two more albums: A re-released of their first album “Pale”, enriched by three new songs (“Don’t be there”, “You and Ice” and “Crop of Illusions”); and “Re-Pale” – a collection of new versions of earlier songs, remixes and some previously unreleased songs. At the same time, the band went on their first headline tour throughout Germany.

At the end of 2006., Bernard Le Sigue left the band. On the 23rd of February 2007. a new single was released: “Synthesize Me”, a prelude for the next album, which was released 4 weeks later. “A Different Life” can be characterized as a criticism of the society ruled by artificial, deviant system of values. With his lyrics, Torben faithfully portrayed the revolt of the individual against the imposed principles and general degradation of true values and virtues.

The members of Diorama have collaborated with a number of bands, including Diary of Dreams, Angels & Agony, Painbastard, Klangstabil and Frozen Plasma.[4]

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Style

Even though Diorama is often labeled as “darkwave”, “synthpop”, “future pop” etc., their musical signature cannot be easily molded. The melodies vary from energetic, with powerful rhythms to melancholic ballads, but every song carries a thread of belonging to Diorama’s unique expression. The diapason of the lyrics’ motifs is rather broad and encompasses not only the inner, intimate world of the writer himself (Torben Wendt), but also his surroundings, a world he lives in. The lyrics are written in a dark, kafkian stile and are often ambiguous. Distinctive playing with words and metaphors is one of the prominent virtues of Diorama’s artistic opus.



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Band Members

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Current Band Members
Torben Wendt - lyrics, music, vocals, keys, percussion
Felix Marc - co-production, keys, vocals
Sash Fiddler - guitars
Marquess - drums

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Former Band Members
Bernard Le Sigue - bass

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Discography

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Albums
Pale (1999)
Her Liquid Arms (2001)
The Art Of Creating Confusing Spirits (2003)
Amaroid (2005)
Re-Pale (2005)
Pale (re-release) (2005)
A Different Life (2007)



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Singles
Device (2001)
Synthesize me (2007)