Dark Angel - Nobel Leiden, 12 August 2025

Festival season means many bands are travelling through Europe. With most festivals taking place Thursday - Sunday the early weekdays are open for headline shows. Last year Nobel managed to get Exodus and this year they booked another thrash top act with Dark Angel. This Tuesday competition was fierce in The Netherlands with shows by Orbituary, Hatebreed, Trivium or Extreme to name but four. I wanted to see Dark Angel anyway and with Nobel being closest to home the choice was easy. When Koen proposed some warm-up drinks in nearby Lazarus an early departure it was. With the sun out and the drinks cold it was almost hard to leave on time to enter Nobel. There was a support band in Inherited, but I felt they were no good match for the older thrash audience. Young kids shouting motherfuckers all the time to people who actually are given their age, seemed strange to me. So back to the entrance it was where most of the people I knew were hanging out.

After a break it was time for Dark Angel. This tour they would play Darkness Descends in full. That would be the end of the show. First we got treated on some oldies and also some new songs. The latter as after 34 years a new album is coming. About the show I can only say we got treated on a totally awesome set. This band is in peak form. The evening was dedicated to Jim Durkin the man behind lots of Dark Angel's music who passed away in 2023. On guitars we now got Eric Meyer and Laura Christine and they took care of all the guitar duels and solos in fantastic style. On drums it is legendary Gene Hoglan and on bass  Mike Gonzalez Vocalist Ron Rinehart turned out to be very well on vocals and a great performer aiming at saying a personal hallo to most in the audience during the show. So during one of my favourites Black Prophecies he was singing from the balconies. To me Darkness Descends is their best album, so playing it in full was no punishment. When they were over and done and the band picture with audience was taken there was one consensus among all I spoke to. We just saw a very special show of topclass thrash metal. One of the highlights of the year and bring on that new album now. Next thrash appoinment in Nobel is at Metal Experience Fest in October. If it can be only half as good as Dark Angel was, we are in for a treat

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Cyclone & Strike Master - Musicon The Hague, 2 August 2025

Strike Master are a Mexican Thrash metal band. They played Headbangers Open Air the previous weekend. Coming from Mexico meant I totally missed them so far even if they released 6 albums already since 2006. Coming over from Mexico is no small feat and here Cyclone came to the rescue. These Belgian veterans took them under their wings taking them around for tourism and set up two shows with them enabling to gain some money to afford the flight over. Musicon was after Diest the second and last show so I decided to support our local venue and some Mexican thrash metal too. 

Upon arrival at Musicon it turned out to be filled with many known faces and an average age that justified Cyclone's early years. Strike Master would play first and on stage came the three Mexicans. This meant drums and two guitars with one of them taking care of vocals too. It did not take long to see and hear that all three master their instrument and the songs showed enough variation to keep us hooked throughout their set. In good (or not so good) Musicon fashion we watched from a distance and saw it was good. The band went through their career, but as all music was new to me that had no impact. Towards the end we were invited to visit Mexico city a magical place where we would simply disappear. Together with a promised on stage suicide if they would not sell all their merch on the event page showed enough sarcasm. Well I tried to do my part at the merch stand, but CD's did sell out before I looked for one. Hope they got a nice time in Europe and who knows come back one day. But in spite of the quote on their FB page when arriving in Holland: Era penal sim.

After a short stageswap Cyclone came on. These Belgians formed in '81 and thus go a long way. Yet they only released two albums in 86 and 90. Halfway the set an oldie was announced stating that several in the audience were not even born by then. Well same can be said of the band, as only vocalist Guido Gevels seems to be original band member. His presentation came over as very sympathetic with some undercooled humor blended in. This helped the show of a rather fine band even further. I do not own their albums, but this was very accesibble thrash metal and I loved to see five guys giving us a lot to enjoy. Their first time in The Hague, but with a previous passing at Metal Experience Fest they knew many of the people in the crowd. Talking about the crowd it was decent packed. Not as busy as the night before with some Belarussian Slam Death metal. Today Musicon completes the weekend of triple metal with an afternoon doom session. I probably won't make it there, but nothing is doomed yet.

Changeling - Cosmograf - Imminent Sonic Debris - Ophelion

 A prog extravaganza of four albums you must hear and I have only digital on my bandcamp app.

Changeling - Changeling

If I have to thank Obscura it is mainly for two reasons. During their live tours they tend to bring ecxcellent support acts (who outplay them mostly) and the number of offpsins that are awesome is evergrowing (Alkaloid, Obsidious). Changeling is a band formed by Tom Geldschläger and gives us a beautyiful mix of prog and death metal. The number of albums within this mix is growing fast in my collection. Why? because they won't stop to amaze me. This is another high anyone with a mild interest in prog or death metal should give a try. I bought this one online at bandcamp and now saw that Seasons of Mist holds CD copies still. Maybe one day I go after the physical CD still. Highlights? check for yourself from 1 minute instrumentals till a 17 minute epic closer they present a bit fro everyone.

Cosmograf - The Orphan Epoch

Cosmograf is the project of multi-instrumentalist Robin Armstrong. Together with Dec Burke, Frost* and Lee Abraham he represents to me the hope of British prog rock in the current century. This is album number 10 and I own 6 on CD. This one not (yet?), but what a beauty this is. Cosmograf loves to tell us stories with their music. Either being it full concept albums (The Man Left in Space: tip) or in epic songs. On this album there is no general concept nor a song over 10 minutes. Still there are plenty of stories and nostalgia best represented in the longest track We Are The Young. Kings and Lords holds a nice videoclip with images of a spaghetti western seeming to be shot for the purpose. Further there is lots to love for anyone into one of his previous albums. If by 9 albums you did not get the beauty, I doubt you suddenly change your mind.

Imminent Sonic Destruction - Floodgate

In 2022 I discovered Imminent Sonic Destruction through their album The Sun Will Always Set. That album ended very high on my end of year list. Now I got to listen to Floodgate many times, my conclusion is that they probably did it again. ISD play progmetal of the modern kind based around strong melodies. Opening song is part I of the title track. I challenge anyone not to sing along with the chorus after getting to know this gem. The good news is that ISD do not drop the ball throughout the eight songs and this album I am sure comes back frequently when I play from my bandcamp app. Next week ISD are part of the best progmetal festival line-up of 2025 (sorry PPE, but it's true) I so wish I could be there, but you can't win them all. Progmetal fan? get this album now.

Ophelion - The Jaunt

Newcastle bands make me think of NWOBHM immediately. Now they give us a progmetal band Ophelion. Formed in 2018, but releasing their debut only now. Only format so far is digital, and you can get it for a bargain at bandcamp. The Jaunt is based upon a story by Stephen King. I believe Redemption also had a long track on their debut based upon a story by Mr King. And surprisingly that debut album springs to mind at times. Ophelion have two vocalists one clean and one for the grunts. Well those afraid of grunts do not need to worry as most grunts blend in with the music while clean vocals are dominant. That voice reminds me of Mac the former Threshold vocalist. The album itself holds four long songs in the 10-14minute range with one short instrumental break halfway. Another must listen album for progmetal fans and as they are nearby I expect to see them perform this story next year in Baarlo at a certain festival.

A-Z - Dessiderium - Eight Lives Down - Hyena - Katagory V - Rivers of Nihl

Long time since I recommended CD's. With my two months under Brazilian sun I did get some music in still. Today some CD's I bought since April and next week I mention some albums I so far only have on my bandcamp app.

A-Z - A2Z2

A-Z or Apple Zebra turning into Alligator Zipper, while still being Alder Zonder. Anyone following my posts knows that these two can do little wrong to me when releasing music. Now to up the fun they even added the Redemption guitar duo of Nick van Dyk and Simone Mularoni. So it came as little surprise that compared with their debut this album moved a bit more to Redemption sounds. This comes out in a notch heavier songs. Ray Alder over the past years sings lower, but with so much feel and emotion that he alone makes this a must buy album. But let me not forget the band as everyone seems to be on fire. Now A-Z or late Redemption won't be the most surprising albums released, but for me definitely one I shall play among most of all albums I get ths year. So If you love Redemption, Fates Warning or the debut a must have album for you.

Dessiderium - Keys to the Palace

Countless are the great albums released over the past few years, where prog is combined with extreme metal. Clean vocals and grunts sharing duties and the songs tend to be long. An absolute favourite in that genre is released by Dessiderium. Released in March, but it never arrived before I left home end April. A welcome surprise upon return it was as what Alex Haddad is presenting here is definitely a highlight of the year. Now I missed the first four full lenghts released between 2013 and 2021. This one I luckily did get and what a blast it is. This mix of prog and death here seems to become my new favourite genre. Alex Haddad did not ring a bell for me, but I saw him last year with Atheist on stage (and this year again). Definitely worth checking out this one.

Eight Lives Down - Fates

Eight Lives Down are an international bunch who released with Fates their second album. A new band to me I bought this album based upon their videoclip for the opening track Void.I totally loved the fast song mixed with female vocals that reminded me of Azusa or Ram-Zet. Yes the more hysterical ones that don't go operatic on you. Aliki Katrou shines throughout the whole album with her vocal performance. The songs themselves might need some more spins as now the 12 songs don't stand out indvidually yet. Still a refreshing new sound and with band members coming from Rio or living in Leiden I hope to see this band one day in Garage Grindhouse, Nobel or Lazarus.

Hyena - About Rock and Roll

Hyena are an up and coming Heavy Metal band from Peru. Now my collection of Peruvian bands is not huge, so a first good reason to get thsi CD. Real reason was I saw them opening day two at Keep It True and they did so in great style. This is the fast heavy metal with the screams and the haunting guitars. A flashing live set made me run to the merch boot to get this album and the baseball Tee with the very blue sleeves. Great that this band got the chance to tour Europe and I hope they return afer their next album. I will be there.

Katagory V - Awaken a New Age of Chaos

Katagory V formed in 1999, yet this album sounds very much like 1986. US metal with prog touches is what we get and in wonderful style I can add. They released four albums between 2001-2007. Came back n 2015 and now again in 2025. I must check out these first five albums based upon what they present here. This album is filled with nods to what is possibly the best era in music, when during the mid to late eighties one after another classic US metal album was released. Ten songs to bring you back in time and if like me you love that style, put a huge smile on your face. Maybe old age made me nostalgic, but does a better sort of metal even exist? (no).

Rivers of Nihil - Rivers of Nihil

Rivers of Nihil are a growing band. I saw them some nine years ago opening a four band tech death party with Obscura headlining. March this year I saw them headlining such a four band tech death party over bands like Cynic and Beyond Creation. So they must be doing something right. This tour happened before the release of this fifth album, so we got some prereleased singles live. Now having the full album I can say that Rivers of Nihil steeped a bit less on the gas here. More calm intermezzos and clean vocals, but I do like the overall result. Live there were some tapes, but a live saxophne. On album you don't get distracted by these things and this album sounds very complete and full. Next month they are back in The Netherlands, but to me the DMF line-up does not justify the ticket price

 

 

 

Nahville Pussy & The Prince Albert & Drunktank - Musicon The Hague, 12 July 2025

Nashville Pussy I saw before I remember. Where and when I forgot, but it might have been Bospop when that festival still was build around metal and heavy rock. Anyway a tour passing Musicon, where I had not been since Festerfest meant I wanted to go and see them.

Niels and Ingrid were going too so I proposed to them the double line-up. As a result we let Drunktank open the evening for us at 18:00 hrs at Zeeheldenfestival. For over 40 years now one of The Hague's finets free festivals. Drunktank proved agin to be a nice live band now with six and the sun was out too, so a good start indeed.

At 20:00 we got our bicycles and moved on to Musicon. Well in time in to see a local band opening here. The Prince Albert played rock and roll. I had never heard of them before, but I guess we shall  see lots more of them on local festivals as they were good at what they are doing. While they sang about Rock & Royalty I wondered why they did not call themselves the Prince Andrew for bigger shock effect. Afer all they flirt with shock rock too.

Nashville Pussy are also good at what they doing. Play some mean and dirty Rock and Roll. This is music to see and feel live on stage as on record for me it is not all too exciting. Live there were no reasons to complain though and a packed Musicon loved what they saw here. I enjoyed seeing a show in Musicon again and with the early start we decided to leave not too late and by midnight I was home. This meant six hours well spent.

Papangu - Garage Grindhouse, Rio de Janeiro 7 June 2025

Papangu are the most interesting Brazilian discovery for me of this decade. Their music is not for everyone, but if you like your prog rock filled with Brazilian North Eastern influences as well as Black metal, jazz and stoner you might appreciate this band as much as I do. Their debut Holoceno from 2021 made it to my end of year list as did their follow up Lampião Rei from 2024 This year great news came when a European tour was announced including two shows in The Netherlands. I have a ticket for the Little Devil show 22 August and am still in doubt on Complexity Festival the next day. So when I thought to finally get to see the band in August, a mini tour in Brazil was announced with a show in Rio on 7 June. Now that sounded great, but already made commitments sent me to Cachoeiras de Macacu on 7 June. That was until last minute changes due to a sad story which ended well, put that compromise two weeks back. Long story short, I was going to see Papangu in their home country after all and looking more than a bit forward to this show.

Gargae Grindhouse was the venue and I never had been there before. So one night after more mainstream Sacadura 154 having Kio Loureiro, I now got to dive deeper in the underground and go to Rua Ceara for some north eastern music, which seemed appropiate. Upon arrival I bumped into two members of the band, who told me that today they played as a four-piece, but in Europe they shall be a 5 men band.I in return could tell them that I offered my HM B&B for the band, but logistics made it impossible, as you can't drive from The Hague to Berlin on a summer Sunday, when you need to arrive at a certain time in Berlin. After these talks I entered Garage Grindhouse and loved being in a proper underground venue. Black walls with graffitti of stars who left us, or are still among us. A  bar selling ice cold half liter cans of beer for 8 Reais (which is Euro 1.25 more or less)  a merch table, where I fast picked up my GGG Lampião Rei T-shirt and a good vibe arond in a place that filled up very nicely in time. This was a matinee show between 17:00-21:00 and somewhere close to seven the band kicked off. 

Papangu sing in Portuguese, which I do understand, but do not sing along all that easy. So I recognized most of the songs coming off their two albums, but could not immediately sing along. What I did see from the beginning is that I would love this show. I don't know how far the band improvises through their show, but it all sounded and looked enormous spontaneous. Meanwhile the mix of Brazilian music with sudden black metal outbursts was impressive and great at the same time. I believe that both albums were played for the bigger part and several new songs were tried out. This after the friendly request not to film these new songs and post them. That was when I realized that I hardly saw phones filming this show, unlike the night before. Everyone was enjoying the moment, like it is supposed to be.When more towards the end the crowd and I started cheering Hu-Hu-Papangu I wondered what their shows in Europe would be like. Even more so, when the crowd sang along with parts off a chorus. No worries though as the band seems to be creative on stage and how often do you see plastic pigs and chickens opnening a song by being squeezed? 

So I loved the show that ended 20:55 as promised and am aleady looking forward to seeing them in Little Devil. I have no idea how known they are in Europe, but my guess would be hardly. So I will tag some of my more open minded metal FB friends somewher in August. Those going for the more straight forward metal, might find Papangu um ponte (a bridge, but they sing in Portuguese remember) too far. I shall be there and for sure enjoy myself lots. Until then I shall proudly wear my Papangu shirt at the Beach and in the city of The Hague. If you have never heard of the band, but like to hear something completely different and original, try them out now and I might see you in Little Devil or Patronaat. What considers Garage Grindhouse I found a favourite venue in Rio. When leaving I saw that four house further there is a Motorclub, which had a rockband playing on the street. Defnitely a place to return too.

Kiko Loureiro with Marty Friedman & Andy Addams - Sacadura 154 Rio de Janeiro, 6 June 2025

This show had a long start-up. In November I arrived in Brazil one day before Manowar were supposed to play in Rio. As I had not seen Manowar live  for a long time I bought myself a ticket. This to learn on the day that Manowar had cancelled the show. I was in contact with promoters of the show and they promised to send my money back through paypall. Now I realized they lost a large amount and I already knew that Marty Friedman would come to Rio when I was back in town in June. So I told them to keep the money and swap my ticket for one of the Marty Friedman show. This was possible, but I received the tickets through whatsapp only the week before the show. Tickets? yes, as Valerio was so nice to send me two tickets as the Manowar show was much more expensive than the Kiko Loureiro show. So I could invite a friend. Bruno was more than pleased to join me, so we agreed to meet inside Sacadura 154. This venue is located in the centre , where many offices are and nights can be grim. Not so much in the street of the venue, where lots of live music could be heard, all displaying samba or pagode, which is not really my thing. Still the atmosphere on the street was good.

Now I said that Marty Friedman would play, but it turned out he was a guest on this tour. The show itself was by Kiko Loureiro a Brazilian most known from his years with Angra and Megadeth. The venue said doors 20:00 and show 22:00. Now  I learned the hard way once that in Brazil show 22:00 means the headlier starts at that time. I did read about a support somewhere (not at the venue's page) so I decided to aim at 20:30 as I like to check out support bands. Being a bit later I missed the first song by Andy Addams. I never heard of Andy before. In spite of his english name he grew up in Colombia and spoke Portuguese to us. More important his music was rather fine. A guitar shredder of sorts with lights over his clothes and a bass and drum supporting him during lots of instrumentals where even a medley of famous songs was treated on instrumental versions. This was a nice opener fitting well with the headliners. 

In spite of Josie's warning not to take the time scheule too serious in Brazil (see Friburgo Rock Festival) it was at 22:00 that lights went off and Kiko Loureiro came on. He started with three instrumentals and that sounded very good. Megadeth was next and he also sung on a recently written song. I thought his voice OK, but not at Gary Moore's level yet. I mention Gary Moore as some of the instrumental guitar singing was not miles away from that. Introducing the band I only understood later that Bruno on drums and Felipe on bass play in the current Angra band. Now I like me some Angra, but I am hardly their biggest fan. So when we got a medley of Angra songs I did not recognize them all, but the instrumental versions came over well in medley format. I must say that the Megadeth hereafetr sounded better to me with Conquer or Die and Dystopia. Kiko took care of vocals and with originals by Dave Mustaine he managed well. Further down the show we got a vocalist on stage Alirio Netto. Again unknown to me, but he had a good voice for covering soe more Angra work. This ended with an acoustic  two man set-up which brought the song where Milton Nascimento sings on CD and the opening of Heaven and Hell. The audience showed they were carioca meanwhile by starting to sing to Kiko(rara) some Calcinha Preta. Jokes Bruno needed to explain to me afterwards. 

Taking the barstools of the stage the moment came where I was waiting for most Marty Friedman would join in. And as good as Kiko might have been (and that as very good) it was Marty that managed to lift the show to even higher levels. He was allowed to take the main part for a while and Tornado of Souls did pass instrumental. He than tried to be as Brazilian as he could by playing Asa Branca / Brasileirinho. Songs that all in Brazil know, but it sounded very Marty Friedman to me. Hereafter we got a song of Drama his latest album. Tearful Confession was beautiful and I did something out of character. The whole evening I saw lots of cameras filming before me. During this song not so many, so I picked my phone and filmed a part of the calm opening and a part of the metalling up of the song.Than it was back to Angra with a guitar ruled version of Rebirth after which the band left the stage. The shouts for mais um from the audience were heard and the band came back with Alirio on vocals to play Stormbringer Unfortunately no more Marty and hereafer the party was over. One great evening for those into shredding guitars, with lots of melody and emotion blended in to keep things interesting. Marty Friedman showing again why he is one of my absolute favourite guitarists and Kiko turned out to be pretty fine too.