Muziekrecensies
The EP ‘Focus’ is Soft Ffog’s second release. This Norwegian quartet combines jazz with prog rock to create nostalgic, instrumental songs.Opening track ‘Camel’ is complex, you have a lot to listen to. Elements from the beginning, reappear at the end. ‘Focus’ contains subdued parts and beautiful, high-pitched (keyboard) tones, among other things. This third (and … Read more, available in English and Dutch
Robbert Duijf won the European Blues Challenge for bands last year. Robbert plays and sings/tells from the heart, and creates pure, acoustic songs. His music is a mix of delta blues, gospel and a touch of British-American folk. ‘Silver Spoon’ is an old school album with one track recordings and few overdubs. Thus, the pure … Read more, available in English and Dutch
Italian band Trick or treat mixes happy power metal with classical music and funny, ‘’ghosty‘’ elements. The band has been around for over 20 years, but I had never delved into their music until I became curious about ‘Ghosted’ (due out 25 April). The opening track has sampled sounds, classical music and a slightly spooky … Read more, available in English and Dutch
Hteththemeth is a Romanian avant-garde progressive metal band. Avant-garde metal is an experimental style of metal. It is typified by unusual sounds, instruments and song structures. Their new album ‘Telluric Inharmonies’ also features many calm, spherical parts mixed with classical, electronic and some metal elements. The story of this concept album is: After man was … Read more, available in English and Dutch
Saturday night 5 April tribute bands Slash N’ Roses + Bad Medicine were in De Bosuil, Weert (The Netherlands). The eight-member band Slash N’ Roses gained national fame through their participation in the TV programme The Tribute – Battle of the Bands. The Italian Bon Jovi tribute band kicked off this evening. Bassist Steve Balocco … Read more, available in English and Dutch
Swiss band Kerberos mixes complex orchestral arrangements with death and prog metal. The vocals are also very diverse: classical (choral) vocals, and grunts are alternated/mixed. The songs on the EP ‘Apostle to the Malevolent’ are baroque-inspired. The lyrics, for instance, deal with mental health and trauma’s. In addition, capitalism is criticised. The instrumental ‘Praeludium in … Read more, available in English and Dutch
‘Blood Dynasty’ is Arch Enemy’s twelfth studio album. After the atmospheric start of ‘Dream Stealer’, the metal (including the grunts of Alissa White-Gluz) erupts. The sudden ending is beautifully tight. ‘Illuminate the Path’ has positive lyrics and a matching, uplifting atmosphere. The music in ‘Presage’ is unexpectedly very calm, I expect much more, but it … Read more, available in English and Dutch
Clive Nolan & Laura Piazzai are the driving forces behind prog project Imaginaerium. Their debut album ‘The Rise of Medici’ (2022) is a historical concept album that received rave reviews. This 2nd album (due out 4 April) does not tell one story, but ‘Siege’ connects ancient and modern influences. The 32-page earbook (with 2 CDs … Read more, available in English and Dutch
Singer Ronnie Romero is known for his wide range and versatility. He was influenced by David Coverdale, Steve Perry and Ronnie James Dio, among others. He fronted Rainbow, after which he worked with great musicians including Michael Schenker Group, Vandenberg and many more. With Lords Of Black, he recorded 5 studio albums, currently fronting Elegant … Read more, available in English and Dutch
Most rock/metal fans are no fans of Helmut Lotti. Less so that they would want to attend a concert of him… until he came up with ‘Helmut Lotti goes metal’. Suddenly he was playing festivals, last year he performed at Bospop, among others. On the first Friday after carnival, this versatile artist played his ‘Heart … Read more, available in English and Dutch