Hans Diener (Voz, Guitarra)
Mark (Keyboards)
George (Batería)
Album
1985 – Purity
1987 – A monument of trust
1990 – Ecstasy
1991 – Nothing lasts forever
1994 – Dancing in the rain – Best of
1996 – Ecstasy / Nothing lasts forever
1996 – Glow
Singles
1985 – Endless lakes
1985 – The cat (Remix)
1987 – A mirage / Un espejismo
1990 – Only for you
1990 – Like Christ
1991 – Out of grace
1994 – A mirage '94 - The mixes
1996 – Gone
1996 – Taking on the world
gothic rock/popband from Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Their unique sound varies from sheer power to dreamy ballads, ever changing, evolving, sometimes reminiscent of vintage Cure or a postmodern Pink Floyd. After five albums and a 'best of' album, musically the band matured way beyond their original aspirations. As a live band, The Essence built a strong reputation with their powerful, passionate and atmospheric concert performances.
Formed in 1984 in, The Essence signed to Midnight Music after a year of gigging. In 1986 the collaboration resulted in the release of their debut album "Purity" preceded by the 12" single "Endless Lakes", which were both received very well, especially in Holland and Germany. A track very popular with the radio- and club-DJ's was "The Cat", which was remixed and released as a second 12". 1987 saw the release of the follow-up album "A Monument of Trust" and the single "A Mirage", a catchy tune that made the top 10 in Spain. It was then, that The Essence started to tour Europe extensively, building up a strong and faithful following in amongst others, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.
The popularity of the band continued to grow with the release of the third album "Ecstasy" in 1988. The videos of the singles "Only For You" (1989) and "Like Christ" (1990) got regular airplay on MTV. The group recorded their fourth CD "Nothing Lasts Forever", a powerful and dark concept album, released November 1991, making its way to an ever growing following around the world, including Japan and the USA.
A "best of.." CD was released by Cherry Red Records in 1994 entitled "Dancing In The Rain", accompanied by the single "A Mirage '94 - The Mixes". The following year, a coverversion of "A Mirage" by Spanish group "Esquema" was again a hit in Spain.
1996 saw the release of the fifth studio-album 'Glow', on CNR international records, receiving great critical acclaim and more than ever proving the original and international potential of the band.
The years after that , the band started touring where they frequently played
Spain, Italy and the UK. The band also started to do outside projects on an individual basis, that varied from writing, producing to even playing with other bands.
