Dream Theater - Vivo Rio, Rio de Janeiro 10 May 2026

Dream Theater in Rio that is a long time ago. Last time I saw the band in Rio was 1998 when they had their Falling into Infinity warm-up shows in Brazil. Now I have seen them since several times, but stopped going every tour since the nineties already.  Ocassionally I go and they are always good. But for me Dream Theater are among those bands whose first three albums are their best and never matched that level later (same for Metallica, Def Leppard or Leprous to name some varied bands).  So when tonight people around me started singing along with lyrics of more recent albums I tend to only recognize the chorusses, without knowing which album it is coming from. Somewhere between Six Degrees and Train of Thought I stopped knowing albums through and through. Tonight's show would hold three parts, so a big part of the surprise was gone regarding the setlist. To give the evening a bit of an old-skool feel, outside you could buy bootleg Tees for 80 Reais, while inside same would cost 220. Unfortunately the nice dark red one with the brazilian tourdates on the back, did not come in my size.

Inside at 19:30 a tape told us the house rules and to be ready as the show would start soon. Strange enough we then got 30 minutes of ambient elevator music without much action. At 20:00 the show properly started and the first part tonight was a full performance of Parasomnia. The comeback album with Mike Portnoy and back to the old style. I still do buy all new DT albums, but often I play them a few times before archiving. Replaying this one recently it actually is a fine album and seeing it being performed live made it even better for me. One question with each DT show is, how is James LaBrie's voice tonight. When after an instrumental song and a long intro for Night Terror he came finally on, his voice could not be heard at all. Worried I was, but the soundman corrected it after some 30 seconds. Actually his voice was fine tonight and I was more confused by his constant disapperances (which is nothing new). I guess amongst all Dream Theater nerdy fans, there must be someone who actually timed his on stage time over a whole show. It is a bit like timing actual playing time at a Portuges Football match. But I am not in the anti-LaBrie camp and liked his performance tonight. Same can be said for the whole band really and Mike Portnoy is more of a natural leader watching over us form a height. Parasomnia was good, with to me most remarkale that the ballad was the highlight, since Bend the Clock closes with a beautifull guitar solo. At the same time the closing epic The Shadow Man Incident is least interesting to me, as it sounds like Dream Theater by numbers, with nothing really new.

After a 20 minute break with far too long queues at beerticket and bar service we got the last part of the 40th anniversary tour. The last part as this was the one but last show of their 19 month world tour. This is where I noticed a difference  between my taste as one of the oldest in and the general younger public. Singing all the lyrics along of The Enemy Inside and Rites of Passage is no option for me as I don't know all the words. I came most interested during Under Peruvian Skies and Take the Time. Talking about the  audiece a bit as I saw today on TV an artist telling that a live album was best shot in Brazil as all bands in the world consider it the best crowd. Ok the singing along and the hey hey hey shouts were loud, but there is a serious problem. Brazil has a mobile phone issue at shows. Not at underground shows I attended, but teh bigger ones. The number of phones going up filming full songs was absurd. And not standing at the side, but centre stage and spreading like a disease. When Mike Portnoy than also asked twice for people to light their cellphones the chaos was complete. A guy before me was at times making selfies of him siinging along with the music. Being a dwarfsize I bombed many of his videos with a bored face above him. Anyway the overview held surprises and Scenes From a Memoryis still not my favourite DT album.

The last part was bringing me back to Bospop in the mid nineties as A Change of Seasons was played in full. This epic is so much better than the one closing Parasomnia so a worthy closer of the evening. The full EP playing was announced on the poster so no surprise, but what a nice way to end an evening with Dream Theater. A three hour set including 20 minute break showing again why Dream Theater are the biggest Progmetal band. I loved the full night, but also realized it shall never be as good as the Images and Words  or Awake tour passing Vredenburg in the nineties. or staying in Rio neither as great as the Falling Into Infinity warm-up show of 1998. My next DT show shall probably be around 2030 and I shall like it again.

Crimson Glory - Hardline - Ram-Zet - Triumpher

Some CD's I bought last month and did not get to recommend yet.

Crimson Glory - Chasing the Hydra

27 years after Astronomica Crimson Glory present us a new full album Chasing the Hydra. The last years they already played some shows and at Progpower we could see it was good. Their first two albums are in the absolute classic must have category. For any band returning after such a long time the question is "did it make sense to record a new abum?". Well I can be short there, in Crimson Glory's case it did. At first hearing I was not fully convined yet, but replaying the album a few times made me like chasing the Hydra better by each spin. And yest Travis Wills is no Midnight, since he was a one of a kind. Still his voice is good and at times comes close to eighties Midnight. The songs are varied enough as well, with some calmer intermezzo's just like the old days. So my conclusion is a welcome return of the band.

Hardline - Shout 

A few weeks ago I went to see Hardlline at de Boerderij.  Their tour was promoting this album, but the focus was on their 1992 album Doube Eclipse. A perfect melodic rock classic with next to the Gioelli brothers also Neal Schon and Deen Castranova in the band. 1992 so that melodic hard rock album was not followed up soon. In 1999 they reforemd and the band released several albums over time. For me this was the first CD I got by them after a very good show. This is just uplifting melodic had rock with as seen live exceptional good vocals by Johnny Gioeli. A great band he has around him and when the songs are catchy like this it is probably an album I shall go back to many times still.

Ram-Zet - Sapien

Another band coming back after a hiatus, even if this time only 14 years Ram-Zet. I loved their 2002 album Escape and do own one more album. Now they are back with Sapien and they amaze again. They play Black Metal of the avant-garde kind. This time though many of the vocals are sung by Sfinx. a woman who does not go all operatic on us. This makes the album less heavy than their past and at times moving in the direction of fellow Norwegians Madder Mortem. Still Zet's black metal shriek appears at times too. A very long album this is with 72 minutes, but it is diverse. My favourite song is Bozzadevil, but I explain that later with a clip of the day. A very good come-back that can be presented at ProgPower or Samhain for me.

Triumpher - Piercing the Heart of the World

Another CD I picked up after a strong live show is the latest by Triumpher. These Greek epic metallers were good live and great on album too. Yes I can mention Manowar to set te ballpark. But where the original did not release any decent album in decades, this band seems to spit out epic metal pearls every two years, with this being album #3. In order to play this style of metal a good vocalist is a must and with Mars Triumph that is very well covered. Further it helps if the songs about battles and epicness are brought with power and feel. Again no problem and this is a band to love and follow closely. If they than even add some lyrics in Greek, we know we can write EPIC in capital letters.

Sanctuary & Martyr - Boerderij Zoetermeer, 1 May 2026

Something is improving at de Boerderij. The last years they focussed mainly on cover and tribute bands, next to their traditional prog rock and classic rock bookings. This year there is an upgrade in metal and I like it. So it could happen that Sanctuary played at de Boerderij, while later this year Flotsam & Jetsam, Evergrey and Armored Saint shall follow. Now only their name should spread among metalheads as I was surprised that Hardline attracted twice as many people two weeks ago. Well it still was a nice evening of metal for the older generation and lots (as in really many) of familiar faces walking around.

Opening band on this tour are Martyr. A very nice fitting match and making this evening a double party really. Even more of a pity that Vinnie had to bow out due to an urgent knee surgery. So this was the first time seeing a bassless Martyr and they pulled it of nicely. Martyr is one of those bands you see every year playing somewhere in the country. For me this was the first time after the release of 2025's rather excellent Dark Believer. Sounding very much eighties metal with quite a few traces of Queensryche of that time. Some improvisations were needed without bass. but it was a strong set by them. When the monks hit the stage it turned out that Koen and Kevin never moved around that elastic and energetic, until I saw them in the hall looking at the stage. Well the reaper came on stage during Legions of the Cross and it all ended well. 

I don't recall seeing Sanctuary live in the late eighties or early nineties. With Refuge Denied and Into the Mirror Black they released two absolute classics of the era. Similar to bands like Crimson Glory, Toxik and Annihilator I totally love the first two albums, but consider the second one even a notch better. Tonight's setlist was build around the two albums and at the end some The Year the Sun Died thrown in. It did not take long to realize we were in for an absolute killer tonight with the band on fire and Joseph Michael showing after an earlier passage with Witherfall , that he also can deliver when following up on the legend Warrel Dane. It all sounded so impressive, that the most often heard comment afterwards was "even better than what I expected". This style of US Metal with thrashy and proggy leanings for me would be very welcome at ProgPower. Looking at the low number of PPE regulars present (apart from the usual suspects) I guess we won't see that happening anytime soon. Well Sanctuary brought me another highlight of gig year 2026 and I can leave for Brazil more at ease. Knowing I shall miss a long list of great shows in May and June I did get to see Sanctuary presenting their songs about death until it was Long Since Dark.

Hypocrisy, Abbath, Vreid & Vomitory - Stadsgehoorzaal Leiden, 26 April 2026

Outside it was sunny and orange due to king's night. So I decided to go inside with 1000 likeminded souls all dressed in black. Inside meant into the Stadsgehoorzaal in Leiden, which is a beautiful venue. Last time I was there was November 1983 when Michael Schenker played Leiden. Time flies when you bang your head. Tonight the package was extreme metal, but in various styles. So after warming up at Lazarus and than because of the sun the Duke, I was ready for metal at 18:40.

Vomitory opened the evening and they play Death Metal. They did so pretty well and went down fine with the crowd. For me a bit of variation would have been welcome, but while saying that it is hard to keep your neck still during their songs.

Vreid from Norway were for me the main reason to attend. I don't have their back discography, but loved their 2026 album The Skies Turn Black. They played the Ozzy dedicated title track and the epic opener From These Woods. The rest of their set was just as good and what a great band they turned out to be. The only band I wanted to see from a bit closer and I loved their way too short set from start to finish.  

Abbath was in good form today and so was his band. Last time I saw him in Nobel, he was talking lots more. but today the focus was on the music. A trip through his solo albums with some Immortal thrown in. I do not have any of his music, but this sounded very fine.

Hypocrisy headlined and they are a tight metal machine. Last time I saw them, was during my pedal to the metal bicycle tour across The Netherlands. Than on a weekday in festival season de Effenaar was half full at best. Seeing a busy hall tonight made it all even better and they were the just headliners to me. Even if not playing my favourite Hypocrisy song (Let the Knife do the Talking) the set was good ending with the inevitable Roswell 47. This ended one fine evening with good company in a beautiful place. Next Sanctuary/Martyr on Friday.

Iotunn, In Vain and Nephylim - De Helling Utrecht, 24 April 2026

Iotunn on their first headliner tour and I knew I needed to be there. Iotunn ruled over ProgPower and Brainstorm in the past. Last year they opened for Dark Tranquility/Soen and were amazing again, but their 30 minute slot was way too short. So now they were headlining and I was pleasantly surprised to see they sold out de Helling. On paper that was nice in reality a bit too packed, so de Helling should reduce their sold out numbers. If they than also sell expensive beers, have uncomfortable toilets with strange queues and what's worse not a perfect sound it is clear that de Helling did not move up in my favourite venue list. Well it was not all that bad, the company was nice and the sun shone along Utrecht's canals on our way to the venue. In the end it is all about the music and we got a treat tonight.

Openers were from Holland with Brabant's Nephylim, winners of the Dutch Metal Battle. Well from Den Bosch they might be on bass a guy I knew from The Hague's Defazer and Celesterre was the first thing I noticed. The band were great and especially the guitars sounded tasty. They play Melodic Death Metal with a vocalist going for brutal grunt most of the time. Some good songs and a nice opener for what was to come thereafter.

In Vain from Norway came next. I only hold one of their albums Currents and wondered why afterwards. Probably because I never saw them playing live before. This was one great set with various styles visited along the journey. The Norwegian sung song about the sea almost turned folky, while in general they were more extreme with a fair amount of good clean vocals blended in. The album I did know was represented by two great songs Seekers of Truth and Blood We Shed. During the last song the band almost went Eurovision with the waving arms, but an extreme outburst saved us from that feeling. The overall show made me fan of the band an any next album by them I shall pick up on CD. 

And than it was up to Iotunn to close this Friday (not Saturday) evening. Not a miserabe 30 minutes like last time in Utrecht, but a full 90 minute show. 90 minutes in their case meant nine songs, so those in a rush for short poppy songs were not in the right place. The base was around their second album Kinship, but luckily Access All Worlds was not forgotten either. They did play my favourite song of both albums. Kinship Elegiac is probably the most dramatic heavy break-up song of the last decade and The Tower of Cosmic Nihility always remains in their setlist I guess. Overall I had no complaints about the choice of songs anyway. The only downer of the set was that the sound was not very well balanced, with the drums too loud on the foreground. A pity when the two guitars are throwing amazing  solos at you all the time. It did not reach the point where it spoiled my evening, but it could have been even better.  I was surprised to see this package sold out in the first place, so maybe there is still hope for good music. The tour ends this weekend, but if you have the chance still go and see them, all three bands worthwhile of your trip.

Hardline & Sevi - Boerderij Zoetermeer, 18 April 2026

Tonight the choice was between some top class melodic hard rock or djenty progmetal during Stichting Huaaargh's second show. After some listening to both options I decided that Hardline would be more up my alley musically and I supported Huaaaargh by buying a ticket, but my physical presence surely was sorely missed. Hardline is among those bands that I know, but where I have to think: Do I own any CD by them? Turned out I do not (well corrected that last night). In 1992 the band released their debut album Double Eclipse. Vocalist Johnny Gioeli was joined by his brother Joey on guitars and Tod Jensen on bass. What made the band famous was the Journey duo Neal Schon and Deen Castranova also joining the band. Their music was a heavier version of Journey with some nods too hair metal. Even not owning that CD I did recognize several songs of that album, especially their "hit" Hot Cherie. Nowadays only Johnny is still in the band, and they are Italian, being it American or Italian born.

Before Hardline would come on, we were warmed up by Sevi from Bulgaria. Now I had never heard of that band before, but they are called after vocalist Svetlana Sevi Bliznakova. When they played it seemed logical the band was called after her, as she was very present all over the stage. A very good voice she has and the music was ok. Maybe the songs lacked a bit of character for me. The guitarist was a hired hand as he met the band only two days before with no time to rehearse. Well to me not knowing the band it sounded like he was a long time member. On Keyboards they were not so lucky, They were at times prominent in the mix, but on stage the keyboads were there, but nooone behind them. All together a nice warm-up show it was.

Discussing KIT and why I could not go this year at the break it was 21:45 when Hardline hit the stage. If anything was clear from the first seconds it must have been that Johnny Gioeli is a great frontman. Totally at ease he ruled the stage and his voice was outstanding. The whole band were in top form and when guitars do get emotional during ballad solos, these same ballads get a lot better. In general the tempo was more on the up and the setlist was build mainly around Double Eclipse with some new songs from recent album Shout blended in plus a few. I did get Shout after the show, but should get Double Eclipse too one day, as it is a classic. The band were enjoying themselves on stage and so was the audience. A decent turnout by te way, with even the balcony opened for the band. Somewhere halfway the set Johnny said that tonight was about having a good time with rock and roll and forget all the craziness outside these walls. That was exactly the feeling we had. Such an uplifting set they played the mood was accordingly. One of 2026's highlights for sure. So my choice of gig tonight was right, as you don't get these kind of presentation during a prog affair. Go see Hardline if you can, today they play het Bolwerk in Sneek.

Year of the Goat & Firmament - Musicon The Hague, 6 April 2026

An afternoon of retro occult hard rcok, what's not to like? Well obviously most people preferred this sunny afternoon a visit to the beach or seeing ADO Den Haag becoming champion as it was far from packed in Musicon. I did not know either band in advance, but agreed to reopen our HM B&B for the headliners. Looking at their next show being in München today I was prepared for a 05:30 alarm to send the band off latest 6:30. Well apparently also the band studied the map, so they annouced upon arrival no longer needing a place to sleep. No issues as bread and cheese stay ok for a while and beds can be unmade. So now I just headed for an afternoon of rock to Musicon. Almost I did not make it as while passing the cemetery en route a car  turned right, without paying attention to me. I could not get angry as you have to feel sorry for those heading to cemeteries at easter under the motto "who knows he or she comes back, it won't be the first time". Anyway I arrived in an empty Musicon on time and would spend a pleasant afternoon in the company of Frank (Festerfest survived) and Laurie.

First band on were Firmament from Germany. They looked like a seventies rock band and did honour their looks. Actually they were a very pleasant surprise. Their hard rock was played energetically and the performances by all were solid. Good enough for me to buy a CD later on in appreciation.

Headliners Year of the Goat are from Sweden. The band were founded already 20 years ago and released four albums so far. This tour was in support of their last album Trivia Goddess. That one received positive critics in magazines, but did not result in many people being aware of them and showing up. Well as so often happens, those staying at home lost out as we got a very nice show by this big band. Big as in seven people on Musicon stage makes you think the new Baroeg is more comfortable stagewise. Still not fully crammed on stage there was space to move and three guitars always promise walls of guitar. As I did not know the band I was surprised to see inbetween song banter and vocals coming most from the man at the back behiind the keyboards. In reality only the bassist and drummer were not allowed to sing, all other five members at times sung along.  If you than add the songs being varied and good and we had one fine afternoon show. Also for me reason to pick up their latest album and Triva Goddess playing now sounds nice enough.  So in the end we got two good bands this afternoon and those who were in loudly showed their appreciation. My next show in Musicon is probably The Hague Death Fest, when more people are supposed to find their way back home. Jag pratar inter svenska, but I learned from Mikael afterwards that my Tröjan T-shirt to them did not mean an English metal band, but actually the shirt. And the breakfast table: it stayed empty.