THE ESCAPE

THE ESCAPE

THE ESCAPE were founded in 1989 by Thorsten Abel (voc), Heiko Wersing (keys) and Ingo Klemens (keys/git). Already in the first few years they attracted attention in the dark scene with their synth-heavy dark wave on demo tapes. They played as the opening act for well-known acts such as Click Click, Neon Judgement, Das Ich, Shock Therapy and In The Nursery.
At the end of 1991, Thorsten Abel left the band to pursue his own project.
In 1993, singer Elten joined the band; his sonorous baritone, which was somewhat reminiscent of Veljanov's voice, would clearly shape the band's sound until the year 2000. During this time, THE ESCAPE released three studio albums and two EPs, on which the sound became increasingly rockier over time as the guitar use increased. They went on tour with ba (...) Mehr anzeigennds like S.P.O.C.K., the Dreadful Shadows and L 'Ame Immortelle. Appearances at the WGT 1998 (full arrangement on the Parkbühne and acoustic gig in the Schauspielhaus) and at the Zillo Festival in Hildesheim were highlights of this time. The album “Faith And Decay” from 1999 clearly marked the change from synth wave to gothic rock.
In 2000, singer Elten left the band due to musical differences and Ingo Klemens, who was already the band's mastermind regarding songwriting and studio production, took over the microphone himself out of necessity. The new guitarist Thorsten Lawrenz (2000) and Tommes Arensmann (2001) on the keyboard joined the band.
And the reshuffle was successful. The 2001 album Manderley was very well received by critics. Melodious, partly melancholic, partly driving gothic rock with clear reminiscences of the heroes of the 80s from this genre. The “Manderley” went on tour again in 2001, this time as support for Whispers In The Shadow. This was followed by festival appearances at the Zillo Festival and at various other events, including gigs with bands such as Fair Sex, the Crüxshadows, Das Ich and at the WGT in 2002.
In 2004, THE ESCAPE released the double live album “Ivory”, which included songs from “Manderley” and new songs as well as old songs from the first three albums. A few months later the fifth studio album “House Of Mind” was released. Shortly after the release of this album, Thorsten Lawrenz left the band due to professional obligations. His place was taken by Randy Meinhard, former co-founder of the metal bands Pestilence and Sacrosanct. THE ESCAPE played support and festival gigs with, among others, Deine Lakaien and The House Of Usher and went on their first headlining tour with this line-up in 2005 with the guest bands Other Day and Gods Army.
After that, the band became a little quieter because Ingo Klemens was unable to maintain the creative pace due to professional and private changes. In 2007, the split vinyl single “Conspiracy,” which he produced and recorded with his friend band The House Of Usher, was released. With the departure of founding member Heiko Wersing at the end of 2007, who no longer felt able to take part in THE ESCAPE due to his now relocated residence to a distant city, a longer creative break followed.
Although they never officially broke up, there were very few (reunion) gigs in the following years. It was only in 2016 that THE ESCAPE performed in front of a larger audience again as part of the “Dark Skies Over Witten” festival. Although the gig was a complete success, there was another line-up change for THE ESCAPE, as Randy Meinhard announced his departure to devote himself to reform his former band Sacrosanct.
In 2018, Andreas “Stonie” Steinhaus joined the band as a new guitarist, who had otherwise made a reputation for himself in the scene as a DJ. With him, work began again on new songs and new recordings of older songs. Another new member, Sebi Hartstang, joined the band in December 2022. With the single “Navigator”, THE ESCAPE’s first new release since “Conspiracy” in 2007, the band is now drawing attention again. The song is played in the clubs and well received. In summer 2023 THE ESCAPE had concerts in Leipzig and again as headliner in Witten on the Darkmas Fest with Still Patient?.
The band is planning a new album for 2024.
Numerous gigs are desired and planned for 2024. If you are interested, please contact:

I.Klemens@The-Escape.de or +49172/2712202 Weniger anzeigen