Ten Ton John - Musicon The Hague, 24 July 2020

That magical feeling when leaving home and having to make sure that you bring your earplugs along. Probably the best feeling I had since returning to Holland this week. So I went for a diner dansant with Marko and Ton. Meaning we first had the Musicon Hamburger at 19:30 after which we would see our first live show in months. Saying we were needing some live music is an understatement I would say. Terribly needing to have our ears blasted open again. Heads Up to Musicon who started last week with Acrid their renewed shows in Corona times. So the venue turned into seating only and due to a smart division now 34 people in sitting by candlelight means sold out. On Friday's it is metal and on Saturday evening other musical styles can play. I hope this guarantees Musicon some covering of costs, but for sure to die-hard fans it is the best solution for the time being. 

So today's band was Ten Ton John, a band I did not know. To be honest the fact that I could see and feel live music was more important than the band itself today. Turned out that TTJ blended several styles in their music. At times they were heavier grunge, than moving via groove metal to some more extreme outbursts. Their guitarist wore a Rivers of Nihil T-shirt which gave me hopes on some tech death as well, but that turned out to be one of the view heavier styles not played. Overall they played well, had some nice songs and gave us a good evening. Maybe a bit to fractioned to some, but I can repeat that noone cared as we were just pleased we have this option. Next week it is Callous Intent and Remain Untamed. Not sure if I can make it or if it is sold out already. Definitely recommended to stop by Musicon on your Friday nights again though.

 

The Night Flight Orchestra - Pattern-Seeking Animals - Horisont - Dark Forest

Some CD's of the last months that might make up the soundtrack of Summer. Black and Death Metal fans might want to skip due to overly uplifting albums.

The Night Flight Orchestra - Aeromantics

This band is the eighties disco overloaded teen movie soundtrack side project of members of Soilwork and Arch Enemy amongst others. Not interesting you are thinking? well think again. Rarely you get a series of albums filled with catchy tunes like these. Yes at times I am reminded of bands like Night Ranger or Survivor and never liking disco really these upbeat choirs work perfectly here. This band actually grew bigger than they themselves might have suspected on forehand and now they do summer festivals. Since they play metal festivals they shall typcally divide audiences between those who get them and those expecting something closer to Soilwork and Arch Enemy. This is the third (out of 5) album I get by them and I love it. Aeromantics is filled with hits and the title track of course their ode to the Mile High Club. Pity that the only time they played close to home I had to see While Heaven Wept saying goodbye to Holland in glorious style that same evening. Next year Alcatraz maybe?

Pattern-Seeking Animals - Prehensile Tales

Pattern-Seeking Animals are this band of (ex) Spock's beard members without the heavier side of that band formed by Alan Morse and Ryo Okumoto. I missed their debut album last year, but there are two reasons I tried out this one. First Ted Leonard showed on Prog Love's home sessions with Enchant how he is still one of the best voices around. Second Andrew gave a raving review on this album on Ave Noctum. And yet again I did get what he was on about with this album that sounds so positive and fresh. We got songs from shorter to epical and all six of them are a hit to me. In my category of Sunday morning albums, this is one to be played often the past and coming months. Great work, so maybe I should check out their debut as well.

Horisont - Sudden Death

Horisont I saw playing live the only time in my life I visited the city of Goes.To my surprise that night they were live on stage as good as always enthusiastic Dead Lord they were touring with. Horisont is a band rooted in the seventies and I recalled Uriah Heep and Deep Purple at times when seeing them. This album they seem to be going even a bit more  poppy than on pre-decesor About Time. The Beatles say hello (without me saying goodbye) at times as well. Again there is a song in Swedish included. Overall this album is sounding like it was released 45 years ago and that is fine with me. Maybe not a heavy album, but happy it is even if the bloody bandpictures might make you think different. Those into exploring something fresh, yet old schoolish should try this album.

Dark Forest - Oak, Ash & Thorn

Dark Forest play Heavy Metal. I can hear many traces of NWOBHM with even Iron Maiden being not that far at times (vocals). This blended with some folky power metal side for the necessary happiness of my today's review section. I did not know them before even if this is their fifth full lenght album and a first demo was released in 2004. To me another great discovery though as the album gallops by in style. Highlight must be the title track which almost clocks 12 minutes. Interesting how you can always discover longer lasting bands which you will follow from now on. So thans to Angry Metal Guy for the tip. This album should please many who like to hear Heavyy Power Metal but think the German and Italian masters of the genre a bit too cheesy.