Counter-World Experience

Counter-World Experience is a German experimental metal band.

After many concerts at such prestigious locations as the Burg Herzburg Festival, the Frankfurt Music Fair, the Freakshow Artrock Festival, or as support for Matthias IA Eklundh, CWE had the backing of a solid and ever-expanding fan-base.

History

Always Home (2001–2003)

The musicians Benjamin Schwenen (guitars, guitar-synth), Sebastian Hoffmann (bass) and Thorsten Harnitz (drums) presented their calling card with their debut album, ´Always Home´, and quickly began garnering recognition in the progressive scene for their sound and creative expressionism.

Fraktal (2004–2005)

Leaving Lotus (2006–2008)

With the following two albums, ´Fraktal´ (2005) and `Leaving Lotus´ (2007), the international press began to take notice, and CWE became regarded as one of the driving points in the Jazz-Metal movement: " "Leaving Lotus" is a brilliant album that is highly recommended for dedicatees of Progressive Metal" (Ragazzi) "an absolute must-buy for fans of hardcore Progressive music...heart and soul dripping from the music" (Babyblaue Seiten)

Metronomicon (2009–2010)

Now in early 2009, Counter-World Experience are back with their fourth studio album, `Metronomicon`. With this release, the band demonstrates once again how challenging Progressive Metal can be, and sets a new standard for the genre.

Music for Kings (2011–2012)

On their fourth studio album ´Music for Kings´, the band demonstrates better than ever their talent at combining powerful Staccato-Riffs and extravagant solo musings with electronic sound textures and listener-friendly melodies. 2012 sees Counter-World Experience creating more material utilizing the band members´ shared roots in classical music. Both guitarist Benjamin Schwenen and drummer Thorsten Harnitz have classical studies on their resumes. This formative element is immediately apparent with the band´s first work for solo organ (´Overture - The Coronation´), and also - another first for the band - in a guest appearance by opera singers in the piece ´Trois filles du roi´. Making sure the band doesn´t lose its ties to the jazz world is bassist Sebastian Hoffmann, who through his playing ranks as one of the finest musicians in the German Jazz scene. His improvisatory solos, combined with his fluid basslines, act much as a counterweight to the classic through-composed music of the band.

Style

"Jazz Metal par excellence - no holds barred!!! Since their founding in 2001, Counter-World Experience have been raising the bar in the progressive music world. The band brings Meshuggah-style grooves together with Pat-Metheney-like textures, mixes them with electronic sound fragments to create a sound that is, above all, defined by guitar work in the best traditions of Dream Theater."

Members

Current members
  • Benjamin Schwenen – guitar, guitar synth, programming (2001–present)
  • Sebastian Hoffmann – bass (2001–present)
  • Thorsten Harnitz – drums, (2001–present)

Discography

Studio albums

  • 2002: Always Home
  • 2004: Fraktal
  • 2007: Leaving Lotus
  • 2009: Metronomicon
  • 2012: Music for Kings