Band of the week 36/2026
Origin: Genf, Switzerland
Genre: Black Metal / Industrial
Hier geht’s zur deutschen Version.
The band about itself:
In 2019, born from the twisted imagination of singer Hatred Salander, Versatile emerged in Geneva. This Swiss musical project draws its energy from the violent and dissonant arpeggios of Black Metal and the cold sounds of industrial music. Lulled by Hatred’s mournful screams, the abrasive riffs of Cinis and Famine (guitarists), and the frenetic pounding of Morphée (drummer), this band creates a unique and theatrical visual universe inspired by the Catacombs of Paris and the infamous Court of Miracles. Under the banner of their world, their unique personalities invite you to join them on stage where tears, sweat, and blood converge.
Editorial commentary:
I’m afraid I have to admit that I didn’t retain much from my French lessons at school, which is why I’d never really been drawn to it. But ever since I saw Versatile on 16 August 2026 as the support act for Lord of the Lost at the Colos-Saal in Aschaffenburg, I haven’t been able to get this band out of my head. Versatile don’t just perform their songs, they’ve crafted a dark and macabre horror story around them.
Just by looking at the stage outfits alone, there’s so much to discover the longer you watch the artists. Frontman Hatred wears elaborate make-up, a white contact lens in one eye, his hands and arms are completely covered in black paint, and thorns are attached to his jacket at the top of his shoulders. Cinis comes across as a dark beauty with blonde hair in a black gothic outfit. Famine, wears a tattered cloak and a mask with a broad smile. The drummer, Morphée, also hides his face behind a post-apocalyptic-style mask, from behind which white contact lenses, revealing only the pupils stand out. Versatile’s songs and show revolve almost exclusively around the bitter and cruel existence of the outcasts in the slums of historic Paris, the „Cour des Miracles“, or „Courtyard of Miracles“. The name stems from the fact that, at that time, the poor there often feigned illness or disability in order to beg for more, only to be miraculously healed once ‘work’ was over.
I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on the tour dates and would be delighted if Versatile were to return to Germany at some point.
The band at Dark-Art:
Live impressions:
Music recommendation:
Upcoming live dates:
11.09.2026 – Bridge to Hell Festival, Crest, FR
01.10.2026 – Cries From Restless Souls Vol. 5, Lyon, FR
31.10.2026 – Le Sanctuaire Festival, Saint-Brieuc, FR
Links:
Webseite
Bandcamp
Facebook
Instagram
Spotify
TikTok
YouTube
Band of the week is our weekly posting about a band we recommend and is posted every Tuesday at 8pm (CEST). These are bands that are either just at the beginning of their career or we think they should receive more attention.
You can also find all the bands we’ve featured this year in our playlist on Spotify!
Antworten