biography
It all really started in 1989, when, after a first four years period, the drummer leaves the breath of life. The four left members, Isabelle Dekeyser (vocals), Philippe Mauroy (guitars, drum computer, sampler, keyboards), Giovanni Bortolin (keyboards, violin), Benoit Sokay (bass guitar) took the decision to use a rhythm box. The rhythm becomes more nervous and the sound ample, the music turning more powerful and headier.
September 1990, release of the 10 tracks cassette the breath of life.
In February 1991, first six-concerts tour in Czechoslovakia, followed by a belgian tour and concerts in France.
One year later, the band leaves again for a nine-concerts tour in Czechoslovakia. Their performance in Club Bunkr in Praha, in front of more than 800 persons, has been broadcasted for 20 minutes on Radio 1 (the most important indie radio in Prague) and shown in may 1992 on Channel Four and the Czech tv's.
September 1992, release of the live in praha '92 album, followed by painful insanity, their first studio album, produced by Gilles Martin (minimal compact, tuxedomoon, deus...). The breath of life starts then a promotional tour in Belgium and Czechoslovakia.
1993 sees them playing in Germany, Czech Republic, Belgium, France, and The Netherlands. Their powerful musical and visual sets conquers a still growing audience.
In September, they have their second studio album taste of sorrow recorded, still produced by Gilles Martin.
A more lyrical voice, the introduction of violin in the compositions, the mix of strong and delicate guitars sound and a powerful bass line, supported by a mysterious drum set and subtle keyboards waves, show the breath of life's new personality.
1994 : the world is coming to the band. The album taste of sorrow is distributed in Germany by eastwest and worldwide by the German label Deathwish Office, while it is licensed to Hall of Sermon (Lacrimosa). The band leaves for a European promotional tour and was on stage together with bands like Cocteau Twins, Miranda Sex Garden or Love Like Blood.
Release of the single shining in May 1995, followed by support for the Lacrimosa 'Inferno Tour'. Lost children is released in November 1995. This new album gives another view of the breath of life's way of making music. Well acclaimed by the press all over the world, it embraces more and more feelings and emotions.
The breath of life play in 1996 in several festivals : the Zillo in Germany (Hildesheim (d) with Ministry, Jesus & Mary Chain, Frank Black....), Sommertage II (Leipzig (d) with Oomph!, Lacrimosa, London After Midnight...), Black Eastern Festival (Waregem (b) with The Mission, Das Ich, Love Like Blood...), prooving that even on stage, all the emotion included in lost children can be shared with the audience.
Some new or exclusive tracks appear on compilations in 1996 : the special remix from idyll for the Zillo sampler, a totally new version from living in a dream for the new Mick Mercer's Hex Files compilation (u.k.)...
1997 : the breath of life concentrate on the preparation and recording for a new album sweet party with Gilles Martin, to be out in February 1998. They also play in Dour Music Festival (b) with La Muerte, Das Ich, The Sisters Of Mercy, etc., Vooruit in Gent w/ London After Midnight.
1998 : the breath of life release their new album sweet party on March 2nd, followed by a small Benelux tour performing with Inkubus Sukkubus, Star Industry as well as gigs in Germany and UK.
1999 : the breath of life give concerts in Belgium, mainly at Eurorock Festival sharing the stage with Echo & The Bunnymen, Front 242, The Creatures, etc... They also record a new album entitled silver drops during the whole month of September, under the complete direction of 'old chap' Gilles Martin.
November sees them play in London Underground and Whitby Festival, as well as a unique Italian date in Gatteo a Mare (Rimini).
2000 : the long awaited Y2K bug did not come. The breath of life release their fifth studio album on the 12th of June on Magic Language Records / Hall of Sermon. They are giving concerts in France, Belgium, Germany, Poland and a unique special 15th anniversary gig in London.
2001 : the collaboration between Hall of Sermon and the breath of life has come to an end. After a four albums collaboration, the breath of life are going on their own way, preparing their future... but without Philippe Mauroy who, due to professional reason, took the decision to leave the band and let the place to a friend Didier Czepczyk.
They then left for enthusiastic concerts in The Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Belgium, Czech Republic and Germany.
2002 : after some concerts in The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Germany and Slovakia, the band decided to develop acoustic versions of their songs. The result could be seen and heard for the first time in Belgium at the end of the year with great success.
2003 : the breath of life are still working on new compositions and some new songs were played at gigs in Belgium, Germany and for the first time in Spain (Arcana Europa Festival). They again played acoustic gig in Belgium and then participate to M'era Luna Festival (with Placebo, Killing Joke), Gothic Autumn Nights III Festival and Terra Gotha VI Festival.
2004 : under direction of Thomas Neidhardt, the breath of life enter the Ivy Room to record their new songs and work on the mixes of the album.
2005, the year of their 20th anniversary, starts with a gig in Luxemburg, with And Also The Trees, Clan of Xymox, among others... and with the signing with the young berliner label Dark Wings. Their 6th studio album everlasting souls is released on May 9th. 2006 starts with bad news : Dark Wings decides to stop all activities. the breath of life are playing Whitby Gothic Weekend, Wave Gotik Treffen and Dark O-men Festival with great success. they are joined by new member, friend and drummer Marc Haerden.
2007 Saw The Breath Of Life touring in Belgium, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Hungary and Danemark. The release from the "Mirror Eyes" video took place on November 1st.
discography
1992 · Live In Praha '92 · CD
1992 · Painful Insanity · CD
1994 · Taste Of Sorrow · CD
1995 · Shining · MXCD
1996 · Lost Children · CD
1998 · Sweet Party · CD
2000 · Silver Drops · CD
2005 · Everlasting Souls · CD
