The weekend of 24-26 July Cologne is the place to be. Well at least if you are into Goth, EBM, Industrial, Post-punk and much more of darker affiliated genres. After visiting Amphi in 2025 for the first time, I (Erik) switched festivals (sorry Stonehenge but I really had more fun in Germany), so this year we from metal-exposure are reviewing the entire festival! Well not the entire festival…. there’s so many to discover that we cannot review everything. In fact, the line-up is so good that Amphi was sold out months before the event started.
And deservedly so, with a killer line-up, Covenant (taking over for VNV Nation which unfortunately was cancelled), Das Ich, Calva Y Nada, Lebanon Hanover, Potochkine, Rotersand and many, many more…. there’s plenty to discover, both old and newer acts. We travelled to Germany (thanks for the ride, Amber!) on Friday. This because we got a ticket for “Call the Ship to Port”, with Hocico, Grendel and Alienare. Also, afterwards we’ll be attending the pre-party.
This is our first time attending “Call the Ship to Port” on a boat (MS RheinMagie) which sails from 20.00 to approx. 00.00 and was sold out completely (over 1100 passengers). We hopped on the boat and met some friends before Alienare played their set. This synth/ future-pop band is getting quite popular. Already witnessed them at Dark Malta where they got quite a good response. It isn’t exactly the black cup of tea we’re used to, but was very enjoyable as an opener. Songs as “Mea Culpa” and “Flood of Emotions” were performed excellently and the audience really enjoyed it. We are off to a good start!
Next up is the Dutch Electro/industrial band Grendel (nowadays they operate in Scotland). Founded in 2000 they established quite a name in the scene. With six albums in their pocket, you can expect songs from their extended discography. Performing an old school set songs as “Dead Inside” and “Harsh Generation” were pounding but we couldn’t get the impression that the person on the keytar was there only for show being a bit lackluster. But the audience really devoured this band so who cares in the end?
Last but not least Hocico enters the stage. This Mexican Dark Electro / Industrial band is already active since the beginning of the nineties. Erik has witnessed them more than several times and are always ready to set the stage on fire (hopefully not literally, we are still on a boat ). This time is no exception; their harsh but danceable Dark Electro tracks were energetic and everyone was enjoying their set. We were treated upon classics and newer stuff as well (including some tracks form their latest “Unseen Horror Scenes” album. This band never gets dull and we’re really happy to witnessed them once again. A hightlight was that they covered “N.W.O” from Ministry. What a great set and powerful performance. Really enjoyed this one!
Call the Ship to Port was fun! Great vibe and setting but unfortunately it was time to get off the boat and heading for the pre-party where we danced our feet off one some cool tunes. The night still was young and met some friends, got a few beers before going bed. We needed some rest for the first day of Amphi. Well rest…. before we got in bed over 4:30 and had loads of fun. Thanks for that Claudia, Jeroen and Irma!
Saturday 25 July
It is so cool to see all these lovely people dressed up (in mostly black) again getting ready for a day of festival pleasure. The vibe was really relaxed. With three stages, Main, Theater and Orbit (MS Rheinmagie), there was plenty to discover. Really looking forward seeing Calva Y Nada, Dina Summer, Echoberyl and many more! Also great to see so many acquaintances and friends being on this festival. It makes our dark heart beating just a little faster. This day mostly concentrates around the Theatre stage since most of the bands playing there are in our alley. Bigger acts such as Covenant will be missed. The first gig we attended was Echoberyl. An easy choice since the song “A Prey” is constantly played at Caza di Erik, and these Parisians surely deserve my (and the rest of the visitors) attention. With playing “Into the Beyond” and many other songs Cecilia’s voice was top notch but on the first songs the guitar was way too loud ruining the mix. But eventually the sound was spot on and we could enjoy Echoberyl’s electronic tunes. Unfortunately, “A Prey” and “Weird Boy” weren’t played…but hey! a great opener for the first day none-the less.
Next up is Dina Summer. I (Erik) have seen them at Wave Gotik Treffen and they were so f*cking good that I really wanted to see them live again. They are now touring in the EU extensively so give this one a go. Songs as “Girl Gang” and of course “Summer Goth” and “Children of the night” and a cover of Front 242‘s “Headhunter” are very catchy. I consider it mellow Gothic which means it is very accessible and really enjoyable too. Dina is giving their best to make one hell of a show, and they succeed with no effort!
We skipped Soror Dolorosa after a few tracks. Their Gothic Rock is very catchy but Andy Julia is such a bad vocalist that we just couldn’t bare it. It was so false and his performance felt so fake and scripted that we couldn’t watch it for longer than a few minutes. He needs some lessons from Andrew Eldritch back in the 80’ies but we’re not aware that we have a time machine so let’s forget about it. The band was good though…..but please get a vocal coach Andy.
After a quick bite and a drink, we were off to the Theatre stage in order to see Selofan. Aided by the power of the Greek Gods this duo presents their 80’ies style Dark Wave with flair. They should be higher on the bill because songs as “Auf Deiner Haut”, “Give me a Reason” and “Tristesse” are really cool live. The energy and atmosphere on stage is really compelling and Joanna has a very distinctive, unique voice. Together with the craftmanship of Dimitri, which infuses saxophone with Darkwave electronics, this duo managed to sweep our feet of the floor with their anthems. What a great show.
Unfortunately, we missed Rue Oberkampf because the Theatre stage was full but we managed to get in just in time for Calva Y Nada which has been resurged and even are planning to release new work. Their unique EBM/Industrial music has been roaming the club circuit since the beginning of the nineties and we were really look forward and curious on what magic they have on stage. Will they play “Corbadia”, a song we hold very dear? The answer is no. But songs as “Rascheln” and “Der Stum” were great to witness live. You could sure see that they still have a lot of devotees enjoying their harsh Industrial tunes. And deservedly so! Great closing act really happy to had the chance to witness them live. Thanks, Amphi for a great day!
But wait! First get to the Rheinmagie to chat and dance on some great 80’ies underground tunes until 2.00. and after that go to bed. We had a blast and were really looking forward to Sunday.
Sunday 26 July
Yesterday was great! Let’s see what today’s cards have in store. I am really looking forward in seeing Potochkine, Paradox Obscure and Rotersand, and of course, meet all the great and welcoming people at Amphi. We went quite late because we had to get some rest, Amphi days are long and the nights short, but we wouldn’t want to miss Solitary Experiment’s future pop sound. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get in the right mood, so decided to visit The Sweet Kill which managed to surprise with their tight set of Goth-Rock and Post-Punk. But after a few songs we had to leave these youngsters because we really wanted to see Lebanon Hanover. Since covid this band managed to attract more and more fans with their post-punkish, cold/dark wave sound. “Sadness is Rebellion”, Gallow dance“, “Kiss Me Till Your Lips Fall Off“, “Totally Tod” and many more are presented in sublime manner. we have seen LH live countless times and every time it sounds exhilarating, fresh and new, and utterly enjoyable. At Amphi this is also the case. Larissa Iceglass and William Maybelline set the stage on ice and fire with their unique Darkwave / Post-Punk sound. One of the best performances of this day. We quickly got a beer on the beach and we were off to the boat because we wanted to see the EBM/Darkwave sounds of Potochkine. Pauline has such a great voice and accompanied with the excellent compositions of Hugo the atmosphere was simply mesmerizing, sensual and dark. Great stuff!
After that it is time for Paradox Obscur to perform. We really like Kriistal Ann’s vocal style and presence. She has so much fun at the stage it is simply contagious. Add some great Darkwave tunes and the audience went crazy with this top-notch performance. Such a treat to witness this on the ship. Last but not least is Rotersand. The sound was incredible and the energy was great The mix of EBM, Industrial and Future Pop of these Germans managed to energize the audience for one last time. What a great show! The light, the sound, the power and performance felt overwhelming. Songs as “Electronic World Transmission” and “Waiting to be Reborn” were utterly danceable. A great closing act!!!!
Wow!, when typing this report, we can only conclude that Amphi 2026 was a great success! we had a blast. The atmosphere was really relaxed, and we have met some really cool people and friends. The bands were really great, there’s enough space to sit, the food was good and the beers tasted great (although a bit on the expensive side). This festival is great fun and makes sure that (almost) every genre is covered. It is also great to see that next too bigger act there is plenty room to discover newer and somewhat lesser-known acts (such as Paradox Obscure). Together with “Call the Ship to Port”, pre-party and the after parties (which were really cool) there is so much to be enjoyed, we loved relaxing on the beach, dancing on the boat and the fact that you have performances outside and indoors. Cologne is really a cool place to visit. Together with WGT and E-tropolis (same organization) this is one of our favourite Gothic festivals, and its relatively close by (for us). The staff was friendly, the audience/visitors were really nice. So, expect me next year as well. Many thanks to the Amphi organization for letting me review this, until next year!
If we would score this festival it would be 9,5/10 and a must visit festival. So don’t be daft and go next year!!!
