Nacht und Nebel (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Founder | Patrick Nebel |
| Defunct | 1986 |
| Headquarters | Belgium |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Nacht und Nebel was a Belgian new wave ensemble initiated by Patrick Nebel, who gained recognition primarily for their popular track "Beats of Love". The band secured four Top 20 chart positions in Belgium throughout 1984 and 1985, before ceasing activity in 1986 due to Nebel's passing.
Career
Patrick Nebel, originally named Patrick Marina Schools and born on 23 November 1958 in Merksem, established the group in the early 1980s. Their name was inspired by the German "Nacht und Nebel" decree from the era of the Third Reich. Following the release of a four-song EP titled Alcatraz in 1981, they launched their first full-length album, Casablanca, in 1982. Although it garnered favorable critical attention, it did not achieve significant commercial impact.
The band's subsequent album, Beats of Love (1983), included the eponymous single which became their most successful release. This track climbed into the Top 3 on Belgian charts in 1984 and sold approximately 150,000 units across Belgium and France. Later singles such as "Étoile du Nord" entered the Belgian Top 20, while "Table for Two", credited solely to Patrick Nebel, enjoyed moderate popularity.
Their third studio effort, Victoria 2000 (1985), featured singles like "Ready to Dance" and "Victoria 2000", which reached numbers 14 and 12 respectively on local charts and found considerable success within club circuits. Patrick Nebel faced serious health challenges related to obesity, alcoholism, and cardiovascular disease, culminating in his death on 15 March 1986 in Ekeren. Following this event, the band disbanded but released a compilation album titled Songs for Ever later that year.
Studio albums
- Casablanca (1982, Antler)
- Beats of Love (1983, Antler)
- Victoria 2000 (1985, Vogue)
Compilations
- This Is/This Was (1984, Antler)
- Songs for Ever (1986, Antler/Carrere)
- Essential (2005, EMI Music Belgium)
Singles
- "Movoco Synthaca" (1982, Laguna)
- "Zafari" (1983, Antler)
- "Beats of Love" (1983, Antler/Vogue)
- "Étoile du Nord" (1984, Antler)
- "Ready to Dance" (1985, Antler)
- "Victoria 2000" (1985, Vogue)
Band members
- Patrick Marina Nebel (born Patrick Marina Schools) – lead vocals, drums, piano
- Fil Ijzerdraad (born Fil van der Auwera) – bass guitar
- Albano Bentano (born Alban Bentein) – keyboards
- Patrick Pattyn – drums