Esther’s top 10 2021

01 – Epica – Omega02 – Dave Bainbridge – To the Far Away03 – Blank Manuskript – Himmelfahrt*04 – 7even Bridges – Million Voices*05 – Ben Poole & Guy Smeets – Acoustic duo live*06 – Swallow the Sun – Moonflowers07 – Franck Carducci – Oddity08 – Nick Fletcher – Cycles of Behaviour *09 – Drifting … Read more, available in English and Dutch

Swallow the Sun – Moonflowers

Death-doom metal band Swallow the Sun was formed 21 years ago in Finland.The artwork for ‘Moonflowers’, their new album, is much more special than it seems. Guitarist Juha Raivio painted the moon with his own blood. He added ‘everlasting flowers’ to it. This album was born from deep wounds, which is something Juha doesn’t like … Read more, available in English and Dutch

Marcel Coenen – Guitartalk 2021

Guitarist Marcel Coenen is an essential figure in the prog metal circuit, among other things he is a guitarist with Metal Attack NL. He also plays with the Gary Moore Tribute Band. In 2003 his solo debut album ‘Guitartalk’ was released. The technical possibilities of recording have improved since then, so Marcel’s wish to re-release … Read more, available in English and Dutch

7even Bridges – Million Voices

The Dutch prog band 7even Bridges wants to create more awareness about PTSD worldwide, as Afghanistan veteran Erik Krikke received this diagnosis in 2013. He broke the silence with the album ‘Break the Silence’ (2018). Now the follow-up, ‘Million Voices’, is out. This concept album is dedicated to everyone who struggles with the consequences of … Read more, available in English and Dutch

Sonic Whip – Triskelion

Als je deze recensie liever in het Nederlands leest, kun je hier klikken In late 2018, the brothers Meryn and Florian Bevelander (from Nijmegen, the Netherlands) founded the alternative rock band Sonic Whip. Meryn is singer and guitarist, Florian is behind the drum kit, bassist Julien Verveer completes the band. This threesome varies in age … Read more, available in English and Dutch

The Picturebooks – The Major Minor Collective

Als je deze recensie liever in het Nederlands leest, kun je hier klikken The pandemic turned the music world upside down. But the German duo The Picturebooks decided to make the best of it, they started writing songs for a new heavy blues album. This fourth album was titled ‘The Major Minor Collective’. They had … Read more, available in English and Dutch

Sloper – Pulverise

Als je deze recensie liever in het Nederlands leest, kun je hier klikken Sloper is one of the few bands with two drummers, these are Cesar Zuiderwijk (Golden Earring) and Mario Goossens (Triggerfinger). These men have appreciated each other’s skills for years, so they wanted to work together. Together with guitarists Fabio Canini and Peter … Read more, available in English and Dutch

Whyzdom – Of Wonders And Wars

Als je deze recensie liever in het Nederlands leest, kun je hier klikken French female fronted symphonic metal band Whyzdom was founded in 2007 by Vynce Leff. Their fifth album ‘Of Wonders And Wars’ will be released (digitally) on 17 September via Scarlet Records. Whyzdom takes you on a journey through different millennia. During this … Read more, available in English and Dutch