BALLET MÉCANIQUE

Ballet Mécanique released their first single Avenues of Oblivion in May 1980. The group’s debut album The Icecold Waters of the Egocentric Calculation came out in September 1981 and the group’s second and final album For was released in October 1982 after which Martin Hall reconstituted the group as Under For.

Ballet Mécanique synthesized rock, avant-garde and poetry in an at the time unheard way, using dancers, slides and films at their concerts to create their own surrealistic ecology on stage. Their impact on Danish contemporary culture was significant.

The Icecold Waters of the Egocentric Calculation was instantly proclaimed to be a work of historical proportions and the title still figures on lists such as the illustrious Danish rock encyclopedia Politiken’s Rockleksikon’s chart over the 50 most important releases in Danish rock.

Ballet Mécanique, Fortropper 24-25-26/4/1981
Photo: Torben Voigt

Ballet Mécanique, Odd Fellow Palæet 11/6/1981
Photo: Gorm Valentin

Martin Hall, Roskilde Festival 27/6/1981
Photo: Søren Svendsen

Morten Versner, Roskilde Festival 27/6/1981
Photo: Søren Svendsen

Michael Karshøj, Roskilde Festival 27/6/1981
Photo: Søren Svendsen

Album artwork 1981
Design: Martin Hall

Album artwork 1981
Sculpture: Morten Versner

Ballet Mécanique, Nosferatu Festival 7/3/1982
Photo: Ole Dreyer

The Icecold Waters of the Egocentric Calculation 2006
Design: Martin Hall