14/05/2026
De duystere markt was an event on my list to be visited. De Duystere Markt (a bad translation is The Dark Market) is an expo in Europe specialized in curiosities and oddities. If you’re interested in dark art, photography, skulls, taxidermy, handcrafted decoration, jewelry,…. De Duystere Markt is the place to be. There will be live performances, sideshows, a dark exhibition, workshops, … during the entire weekend.
It started in Belgium but there is already for some time an edition in the Netherlands, to be more precise in Klokgebouw Eindhoven. Unfortunately the days of the real market (Saturday - Sunday) didn’t fit in my schedule so no impression of the market. However, the pre-party on Friday with bands only was possible. Thanks to De Duystere Markt to allow me to be present.
The three bands in the line-up you will not find on regular Metal events but the music definitely would be appreciated within that community. You will find them at alternative, innovative, obscure, of whatever word you want to mention, events where people are very open for new experiences, e.g. De Duystere Markt. The opener was BOMBSTRAP (.rotterdam) ; a new vicious four piece band hailing from Manchester and Rotterdam. Often referred to as Rotterdam terror punk, they prefer to lay on the weirder side of hardcore. The second band was Pothamus a Belgium trio from Mechelen. They define their music in an blend of tribaleske postmetal, sludge and doom.
The headliner of the pre-party was WITCH CLUB SATAN ( WCS ); an all-female Norwegian black metal band. That all three members met at theatre school is visible in the theatrical elements that are incorporated in their live shows. The band has described themselves as "feminist." Their music also tackles other sociopolitical topics such as racism, environmentalism, and geo-political conflicts.
In the link a photo impression of the show of WITCH CLUB SATAN. The other 2 bands will come later.
De Duystere Markt @ Klokgebouw, Eindhoven (NL)
