Mini review

Anne-Claire Rallo founded the project Frant1c after the loss of her partner Eric Bouillette (Nine Skies and The Room, among others). The core line-up consists mainly of members of these bands. This debut album is about Charlie and Hope; they are inseparable. Charlie wakes up alone in a different, devastated world. During his search for … Read more, available in English and Dutch

‘In the face of the unknown’ is the fourth album by Canadian band Huis. The band plays a mix of melodic rock, AOR and Progressive Rock. There are no less than four keyboardists, especially they are important for the rich sound and beautiful melodies. As expected, there are a lot of keyboard sounds, in addition … Read more, available in English and Dutch

Canadian prog rock band Kaos Moon was founded by singer/multi-instrumentalist Bernard Ouellette. After 20 years, they have a new album: ‘The Goldfish’. It features several guest musicians, including Jean-François Bélanger on and sitar and nyckelharpa (keyed fiddle). The sound of the latter is a bit like a violin used to play a folk sound.The album … Read more, available in English and Dutch

TheDEEPstate is a musical project by Drifting Suns guitarist Ralph Cardall. Teaming up with James Sedge on drums and percussion, he produces eclectic instrumental and vocal music. ‘Veil’ is (so far) Drifting Sun’s most successful album. ‘Days of Delirium’ is a reissue of this sold-out album. From the opening track, you can already hear that … Read more, available in English and Dutch

The Captain is open-minded troubadour, taking his inspiration from great philosophers, among others. His music contains dreamy verses and beautiful melodies, calm folk and ambient sounds.About two years ago, a driver with a stolen car was on the run from the police, causing The Captain and his family to be involved in a car accident … Read more, available in English and Dutch

Singer AJ Plug’s new album is called ‘Underneath your skin’. She has overcome cancer, but that does not mean it has disappeared from her life. This becomes clear during the opening track ‘Part of me’. The pleasant rhythm provides positivity and strength. ‘Hold me’ is sensitively sung. It starts calm, but gets faster and more … Read more, available in English and Dutch

After leaving Delain, singer Charlotte Wessel released some solo material. But with ‘The Obsession’, she takes her solo career to the next level. In songs that deal with anxiety and obsessive thoughts, among other things, lighter played and sung parts alternate with metal/heavy soundscapes. ‘Dopamine’ (feat. Simone Simons/Epica) is about the insomnia caused by the … Read more, available in English and Dutch

Three of the five band members of The Flying Norsemen come from the band Arabs In Aspic. Their influences from the 70s with stoner, doom and psychedelica, can definitely be heard on debut album ‘The Flying Norsemen’.The first “part” of ‘Norseide’ is calm. The lyrics are in Norwegian, so I don’t understand them. But that … Read more, available in English and Dutch

Drunkelweizen is an American band. They call their style ‘Drunken Folk Metal’. Their debut album, ‘Pioneers of Alcohol’, will be released September 6th. The lyrics are about historical (legendary) figures whose lives were intertwined with alcohol. The instrumental ‘Moonshine Overture’ is followed by ‘Robinhood of Moonshine’, an ode to a folk hero who fought against … Read more, available in English and Dutch

Quantum Fantay recently launched ‘Oneironauts’, this consists of two Greek words: ‘oneiro’, meaning dream, and ‘naut’ meaning sailor. This instrumental concept album is about two lovers, they have the talent to travel deliberately through their dreams. You’ll hear more synthesizers, soundscapes, and sound effects than on their previous albums. But bass and guitar are certainly … Read more, available in English and Dutch