Mnemic
Copenhell - 2025
Text: Tobias Nilsson Photo: Lunah Lauridsen
It’s been a good 15 years since we last saw and reviewed the Danish industrial band Mnemic, and admittedly, a lot of things have happened in the meantime. Members have changed and changed back again, there’s been about a 10 year break in the band’s existence. What we were about to watch was a band that had possibly reinvented itself in an older skin, or maybe out kicking a dead horse around the stage - we were about to find out which…
“You are so cool and we are super honoured to be here!”
- Michael Bøgballe (vocals)
Apart from a deep set confusion as to why vocalist and frontman Michael Bøgballe was cosplaying as PSY this fine evening, Mnemic made a fine entrance. A huge, red backdrop adorned the Hades stage, and the band came out pumped and ready to kick up the dust, as well as kick it off. The band reformed in 2024 for the 20th anniversary of their sophomore album, The Audio Injected Soul, bringing back the same band members that had worked on that. If they were still working with the same setlist, or if it was just easier to do only songs from the two albums Bøgballe had sung on originally, I cannot say, but the fact was that it was close to a 50/50 mix of songs from the debut, Mechanical Spin Phenomena, and the aforementioned one that made up the set today, completely skipping the three subsequent albums that Bøgballe had not been part of. Well, nearly. Diesel Uterus, off the Sons Of The System album, was played close to the end of the set, with Asger Mygind (VOLA) on guest vocals, in honour of Bøgballe’s successor in the band, Guillaume Bideau, who passed away in 2022.
“I’ve never been somewhere where so many people are gathered and behaving that well!”
- Bøgballe (vocals)
Despite having to compete with Exodus for crowd, Mnemic had gathered a good amount of fans at the Hades stage, and they were ready and willing to celebrate the return of what can be considered a one of a kind band, at least in the Danish scene. There are of course strong ties to foreign bands like Fear Factory and Strapping Young Lad, but coming out of Denmark, Mnemic has always been something quite special.
Thus it was no surprise to see a large moshpit open from the moment they started playing, and both the size of the crowd as well as the size of the party they were having only grew as the concert went on. More and more crowdsurfers sailed by, and many screamed along to the old tracks. Primus motor of the band, guitarist Mircea Gabriel Eftemie, was smiling, surely pleased with the continued support of his brainchild. Well, if we’re being honest, this was three fifths of the original line-up, given the return of Rune Stigart (guitar) and Brian ‘Brylle’ Rasmussen (drums). Still, Eftemie liked to show his appreciation by throwing several guitar picks to the crowd throughout the show. When bassist Tomas ‘Obeast’ Kofoed was asked to do the same, he excused himself not doing so with that he only had one plectre to play with. As an apology, he jokingly offered to throw his bass into the crowd instead.
Mnemic delivered a lively show with a positive vibe, the band being highly active throughout - especially so Obeast and Bøgballe - with Bøgballe dropping fun commentary throughout.
It was an enjoyable time, though for some reason I still can’t fully connect with them, and I can’t put my finger on why. The rest of the fans had a great old time though, so it’s likely nothing more to do with the band than it is me. As a comeback, Mnemic proved their worth, and the only question now is where they’ll take it from here? Let the anniversary reunion stay with that, or try to move forward with new material? Time will tell.
Setlist:
Deathbox
Ghost
Blood Stained
Jack Vegas
The Naked And The Dead
Overdose In The Hall Of Fame
Dreamstate Emergency
Diesel Uterus
Liquid
Door 2.12
“You are so cool and we are super honoured to be here!”
- Michael Bøgballe (vocals)
Apart from a deep set confusion as to why vocalist and frontman Michael Bøgballe was cosplaying as PSY this fine evening, Mnemic made a fine entrance. A huge, red backdrop adorned the Hades stage, and the band came out pumped and ready to kick up the dust, as well as kick it off. The band reformed in 2024 for the 20th anniversary of their sophomore album, The Audio Injected Soul, bringing back the same band members that had worked on that. If they were still working with the same setlist, or if it was just easier to do only songs from the two albums Bøgballe had sung on originally, I cannot say, but the fact was that it was close to a 50/50 mix of songs from the debut, Mechanical Spin Phenomena, and the aforementioned one that made up the set today, completely skipping the three subsequent albums that Bøgballe had not been part of. Well, nearly. Diesel Uterus, off the Sons Of The System album, was played close to the end of the set, with Asger Mygind (VOLA) on guest vocals, in honour of Bøgballe’s successor in the band, Guillaume Bideau, who passed away in 2022.
“I’ve never been somewhere where so many people are gathered and behaving that well!”
- Bøgballe (vocals)
Despite having to compete with Exodus for crowd, Mnemic had gathered a good amount of fans at the Hades stage, and they were ready and willing to celebrate the return of what can be considered a one of a kind band, at least in the Danish scene. There are of course strong ties to foreign bands like Fear Factory and Strapping Young Lad, but coming out of Denmark, Mnemic has always been something quite special.
Thus it was no surprise to see a large moshpit open from the moment they started playing, and both the size of the crowd as well as the size of the party they were having only grew as the concert went on. More and more crowdsurfers sailed by, and many screamed along to the old tracks. Primus motor of the band, guitarist Mircea Gabriel Eftemie, was smiling, surely pleased with the continued support of his brainchild. Well, if we’re being honest, this was three fifths of the original line-up, given the return of Rune Stigart (guitar) and Brian ‘Brylle’ Rasmussen (drums). Still, Eftemie liked to show his appreciation by throwing several guitar picks to the crowd throughout the show. When bassist Tomas ‘Obeast’ Kofoed was asked to do the same, he excused himself not doing so with that he only had one plectre to play with. As an apology, he jokingly offered to throw his bass into the crowd instead.
Mnemic delivered a lively show with a positive vibe, the band being highly active throughout - especially so Obeast and Bøgballe - with Bøgballe dropping fun commentary throughout.
It was an enjoyable time, though for some reason I still can’t fully connect with them, and I can’t put my finger on why. The rest of the fans had a great old time though, so it’s likely nothing more to do with the band than it is me. As a comeback, Mnemic proved their worth, and the only question now is where they’ll take it from here? Let the anniversary reunion stay with that, or try to move forward with new material? Time will tell.
Setlist:
Deathbox
Ghost
Blood Stained
Jack Vegas
The Naked And The Dead
Overdose In The Hall Of Fame
Dreamstate Emergency
Diesel Uterus
Liquid
Door 2.12
