Formed in 1984 and hailing from Rotterdam, The Netherlands, The Essence signed to UK label Midnight Music in 1985 a year after touring their homeland, and soon after released their debut 12” ‘Endless Lakes’ and their first full-length LP, “Purity”. After the favourable reception of their inaugural releases, especially within Europe, this paved the way for a successful 35-year career for the band, covered here in this 5 CD box set.
Contains the albums “Purity” (1985), “A Monument of Trust” (1987), “Ecstasy” (1988), “Nothing Lasts Forever” (1991) and “Afterglow” (2015), plus all of their singles and the best of their B-sides and alternative versions – all chosen and curated by the band themselves.
Widely known for their audible similarities to the Cure – Hans Diener is Robert Smith’s vocal twin, and their numbers such as ‘A Mirage’ and ‘The Cat’ replicate the Cure’s brooding guitar sound perfectly. However, although The Essence didn’t become as well known within the States as the Cure, their albums such as Ecstasy and A Monument of Trust ensured the band became cult favourites, particularly amongst the goth rock crowd.
Contains full sleeve notes focussing on the career of The Essence by singer and band- leader Hans Diener.
Comes in a specially packaged clam-shell boxing, containing beautifully designed disc wallets replicating the original album artworks.
All material contained within has been fully remastered especially for this release.
DISC ONE
PURITY
1. THE LAST PREACH
2. A REFLECTED DREAM
3. THE CAT
4. THE BLIND
5. NEVER MINE
6. ENDLESS LAKES
7. FOREVER IN DEATH
8. SALVATION
9. THE WAVING GIRL
10. PURITY
BONUS TRACKS
11.FROM MY MOUTH
12.THE SWAYING WIND
13.THE CAT (REMIX)
14. CONFUSION
15.THE HAPPINESS
16.THE CAT (EXTENDED VERSION)
DISC TWO
A MONUMENT OF TRUST
1. A MIRAGE
2. DRIFTING
3. IN TEARS
4. NOTHING…
5. THE WAVES OF DEATH
6. YEARS OF DOUBT
7. FIRE
8. THE DEATH CELL
9. A MONUMENT OF TRUST
BONUS TRACKS
10.UN ESPEJISMO
11. TRICKED
12. LOLLIPOP
13.A MIRAGE (EXTENDED VERSION)
14.UN ESPEJISMO (VERSION LARGA)
DISC THREE
ECSTASY
1. BURNED IN HEAVEN
2. ONLY FOR YOU
3. SLEEPING
4. LIKE CHRIST
5. THE AFTERWORLD
6. SO GORGEOUSLY
7. DESPAIR
8. UNDERSTAND WHY
9. ONE MORE WASTED NIGHT
BONUS TRACKS
10. ICE
11.SLEEP (IS FOR EVERYONE) with Sad Lovers & Giants
12.A REFLECTED DREAM with Sad Lovers & Giants
13.JUMP AND FALL
14. ANGELIC
15. TIME
16.THE WORLD COLLAPSED
17.ONLY FOR YOU (ITALIAN REMIX)
DISC FOUR
NOTHING LASTS FOREVER
1. SEPARATION
2. HOW YOU MAKE ME HATE
3. SEPTEMBER
4. OUT OF GRACE
5. IRRESISTIBLE
6. EVERYTHING
7. NEVER LET GO
8. AIR
9. THIRTY SECOND SONG
10.ALL IS EMPTY
BONUS TRACKS
11.IN YOUR HEART
12.I COULD NEVER TAKE THE PLACE OF YOUR MAN
13.ICE (LIVE)
14.EVERYTHING (REMIX)
15.U 4 LIFE
DISC FIVE
AFTERGLOW
1. TAKING ON THE WORLD
2. GONE
3. BLEED
4. THROUGH THE YEARS
5. THE ONE
6. CRACK
7. RIGHT OR WRONG
8. MARY MY PRAYER
9. UP
BONUS TRACKS
10.THROUGH THE YEARS (THE THINGS IN MY HEAD MIX)
11.A MIRAGE (’94 RADIO MIX)
12.A MIRAGE (THE SIERRA NEVADA MIX)
13.A MIRAGE (TRANCE MIX)
14.UN ESPEJISMO (’94 MIX)
15.VISIONS OF CHINA
