Mini review

The Canadian trash/power metal band recently released ‘Save Our Souls’. You can hear influences from bands like: Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Metallica. Among other things, the lyrics are about PTSD (Post Tramatic Stress Disorder), self-reflection and the state of the world today. The starkly sung words in, for example, ‘Save Our Souls’ fit this … Read more, available in English and Dutch

‘Lost Horizon’ has four songs, including two epics. Each song has its own story. ‘Garden Of Eden’ has an unusual start, the same goes for the first twist. A man talks about his relation break-up and memories. Various emotions and blames can be heard in the (stacked) vocals and music.‘The Letter’ is a particular love … Read more, available in English and Dutch

German band Nachtblut mixes dark metal with classical elements, new wave and even western influences. This is wrapped up in rousing rhythms, heavy riffs and catchy, sometimes almost poppy melodies. They criticise modern social issues. Death features in a number of lyrics. ‘Von Hass Getrieben’ has a serene, classically-oriented start. Songs like ‘Todschick’ and ‘Das … Read more, available in English and Dutch

Dutch prog rock/metal band The Aurora Project will release ‘EVOS12’ on 21 February. This is the first part of a two-part concept album. After Dronewars, people in the big cities lost their sense of purpose. New World leaders took advantage of this, widening the gap between them and the people. In a city that once … Read more, available in English and Dutch

Dragonknight is a new Finnish metal band founded by metal veterans.They make accessible power metal with beautiful melodies, catchy rhythms, cool riffs and classical elements. Their music is for lovers of bands such as Blind Guardian and Sabaton.The instrumental ‘Through Sea And Fire’ opens almost fairytale-like. The light classical music and choral vocals become more … Read more, available in English and Dutch

Multi-instrumentalist Colin Powell (England) is the man behind A Multitude of One. In the concept album ‘A Templar’s Tale, the fictional Sir Geoffrey de Beaumont narrates Templars. Colin presents his lyrics half talking, half singing. His voice sounds distorted, his pronunciation is clear. At times the vocals are stacked, the remarkable colour remains. As the … Read more, available in English and Dutch

British guitarist Dave Brons released ‘Based on a True Story’, his instrumental debut album, in 2015. Since then, his music has evolved. Uilleann pipes and Irish flutes feature prominently. Add string instruments and the brass section, and you get rich, complex music. His inspiration comes from Tolkien’s ‘Lord of the Rings’, among others. After three … Read more, available in English and Dutch

English alternative metal band Raze combines grooves from modern metal with 1990s raw grunge, among other things. Their debut album ‘Pyrography’ (2023) was appreciated by fans as well as critics. Their tour was followed by a one-of-a-kind acoustic show featuring reworked versions of ‘Pyrography’. A string section and an orchestral percussionist joined the band on … Read more, available in English and Dutch

The (gothic) rock band Crippled Black Phoenix celebrates their 20th anniversary with ‘The Wolf Changes Its Fur But Not Its Nature’. CD 1 features songs the band previously released.The quirky ‘Forgotten Who We Are’ is the first track. The atmosphere in ‘You Put The Devil In Me’ is totally different. There is that variation both … Read more, available in English and Dutch

The scattering of leaves is often seen as negative. But actually this is a beginning of a new bloom. Change leads to growth. ‘The Scattering of Leaves’ is a way of thanking those closest to us who shine like stars in the dark, supporting and guiding us.The instrumental opening track is melancholic. The vocal ‘The … Read more, available in English and Dutch