Muziekrecensies
‘Beyond’ is Moonlight Haze’s fourth studio album. This Italian band makes symphonic, melodic metal. The catchy rhythm, ‘verse-rephrase build-up’ and fairly uncomplicated lyrics make the tracks accessible. The backing vocals are sometimes a bit predictable, but the combination of voices is fine. All songs are in English, with only ‘L’Eco Del Silenzio’ containing a blend … Read more, available in English and Dutch
Cosmic Cathedral is a new super band. The band members are: vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Neal Morse, dummer Chester Thompson, vocalist/guitarist Phil Keaggy and bassist Byron House. Their debut album ‘Deep Water’ was largely born out of jam sessions. You can hear Christianity in the lyrics, some more clearly than others. Some pieces are sung with a lot … Read more, available in English and Dutch
There is so much music launched that, as a music lover/reviewer, it is impossible to listen to everything. Not even if certain albums are on your “to do list”. For me, that applies, for instance, to the trilogy of by melodic folk/metal band Elvenking. Previously, ‘Divination’ (2019) and ‘Rapture’ (2023) were released. Most recently was … Read more, available in English and Dutch
Australian composer/multi-instrumentalist Takiaya Reed is a Cherokee woman. She incorporates her indigenous sovereignty, emancipation and experiences into the (instrumental) music of Divide and Dissolve. ‘Insatiable’ is about Takiaya’s vision of a better world. The drumming is droning, her guitar playing sludgy. Especially with her saxophone playing, and all sorts of sound effects, she creates her … Read more, available in English and Dutch
Avatarium, is a Swedish rock doom/melancholic heavy metal band. ‘Between You, God, The Devil and The Dead’ is their sixth studio album. The release date is scheduled for 24 January. The music is heavier and darker than their recent albums. They combine this with the doom of their debut album.‘Between You, God, The Devil & … Read more, available in English and Dutch
Colin Blunstone became well known in the 1960s with his band The Zombies, with which he had several hits. After about seven years, the band ended, but Colin remained active in music. He released solo albums, and was a regular guest singer for the Alan Parsons Project. Perhaps partly due to his part, ‘Old and … Read more, available in English and Dutch
In its almost 30-year existence, Karibow has released quite a few (double) albums. Some of these are true one-man projects, as founder Oliver Rüsing is a singer and multi-instrumentalist. Moreover, he always wants to learn to play new instruments and likes to experiment with sounds.Fans of prog/melodic rock and AOR, among others, had to wait … Read more, available in English and Dutch
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