Klinik, (sometimes called The Klinik), is an industrial music band from Belgium, originally formed around 1982 by electro-synthpop practitioner Marc Verhaeghen, who is the only constant member.
Marc Verhaeghen originally formed Klinik in the early-to-mid 1980s; the exact date varies depending on the source.[1][2] The group is normally described as one of the most influential Belgian industrial bands in history.[2]
In 1985, Verhaeghen joined forces with two other bands, Absolute Body Control (with Dirk Ivens[3] and Eric van Wonterghem), and "The Maniacs" (Sandy Nijs) to form one "super group" "Absolute Controlled Clinical Maniacs". This rather unwieldy name was soon dropped in favour of the shorter name "The Klinik". Through their connection with Sandy Nijs and his involvement in the international cassette trading network, Klinik received an offer to tour Norway in 1985.[4]
Nijs soon left the band to form "Hybryds", followed in 1987 by van Wonterghem, leaving The Klinik as the "classic" duo of Dirk Ivens and Marc Verhaeghen.
The Klinik soon made a name for themselves with their cold and harsh EBM sound and their live shows, where both Ivens and Verhaeghen performed with their heads wrapped in gauze, wearing long black leather coats.[3] Ivens' hissing vocals and minimalist lyrics were complemented by Verhaeghen's synthesizer skills and distorted trombone playing. This however, did not last forever; after Time, an album neither member was fully pleased with, musical differences became too great, and they decided to go their separate ways. In a 2013 interview, Ivens said the duo were moving in different directions musically, and that compromise between only two members was challenging.[3]
Ivens concentrated on his own project Dive, and Verhaeghen continued as Klinik (dropping the definite article from the band name at this point);[3] sometimes as a solo project, sometimes with various other members.
Most Klinik members have also been active outside the band. Ivens has been in bands such as Absolute Body Control, Dive, Sonar, and Blok 57; Eric van Wonterghem played with Ivens in Absolute Body Control, and has later been part of or collaborating with bands such as Insekt, Monolith, Dive and Sonar. Sandy Nijs formed Hybryds already around his departure in 1986, a project which is still active.
Ivens and Verhaeghen briefly reunited for a few concerts in 2003/2004, one of which was released as a CD in September 2004. The reunion was not intended to last, but by 2008 Ivens and Verhaeghen decided to begin working on new material together as Klinik. Soon after, Verhaeghen fell ill which delayed production of the new album.[3] While Verhaeghen convalesced, Ivens continued touring as Klinik, joined on stage by Peter Mastbooms (of Pressure Control and The Juggernauts).[5]
The band's first album featuring both Verhaeghen and Ivens in 22 years, Eat Your Heart Out, was released by Out Of Line Records (Berlin) on CD and also in a limited pressing of 500 white and 200 black vinyl copies on 1 March 2013.[6][7]
