Klinik

History

Marc Verhaeghen formed Klinik in the early-to-mid 1980s, with the exact date varying by source. In 1985, Verhaeghen joined with Absolute Body Control (Dirk Ivens and Eric van Wonterghem) and The Maniacs (Sandy Nijs) to create a super group initially called Absolute Controlled Clinical Maniacs, soon shortened to The Klinik. Nijs left shortly after to form Hybryds, and van Wonterghem departed in 1987, leaving The Klinik as the duo of Dirk Ivens and Marc Verhaeghen.

This lineup became known for a cold, harsh EBM sound and live shows where both members performed with heads wrapped in gauze and wearing long black leather coats; Ivens contributed hissing vocals and minimalist lyrics, while Verhaeghen played synthesizer and distorted trombone. After the album Time, which neither member fully liked, musical differences led to a split. Ivens later said the duo were moving in different directions and that compromise between only two members was difficult.

Ivens focused on his project Dive, and Verhaeghen continued as Klinik (dropping the definite article), sometimes solo, sometimes with others. Most Klinik members have been active outside the band: Ivens in Absolute Body Control, Dive, Sonar, and Blok 57; van Wonterghem in Absolute Body Control, Insekt, Monolith, Dive, and Sonar; Nijs formed Hybryds around 1986, still active. Verhaeghen has been involved in Noise Unit (with Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber of Front Line Assembly), D.Sign (with Philippe and Eliane Fichot of Die Form), X10 (with Niki Mono, Marc Ickx of A Split-Second, and Vidna Obmana), and Para (with his wife Sabine Voss).