Mick Pointer Band - Boerderij Zoetermeer, 16 April 2016

It is 1983 and my Heavy Metal Universe keeps on expanding Next to the classic hardrock from the seventies the NWOBHM is bringing us new bands all the time. Since Stampij, the best show ever to hit Dutch radio, had finished the year before, we depended on magazines to point us to new discoveries apart from some Friday Night Rock shows we might hear. Den Haag still had several Hardrock LP stores at the time with two in the centre and Kees at the border of town. The Aardschok would appear irregular in those days, so we also picked up Kerrang in those days still a magazine worth reading. Going through the issues there was more than once a band called Marllion covered. So when their debut LP Script for a Jester's Tear was released I went to the Nieuwstraat and asked for a spin on the headphones. It took me one side to realize that I had something special here and a few weeks later I also bought their Market Square Heroes EP. These albums opened a whole new world to me as until then I had been unaware of anything Progrock really, apart from some hit singles by Pink Floyd, Yes or Genesis. This album pointed me to eighties bands following a similar style (Pendragon) as well as back to the early seventies. A few months later Marillion would be opening band at Parkpop Festival during their first tour outside the UK (followed by Diamond Head debuting outside the UK that same day). I was sold for life and until today I keep following the band and Fish solo, not missing a release from either. Still as good as it was back in 1983 it would never be again, as this is one of my all time favorite albums. So I went to de Boerderij for seeing this album being performed live. As our concerts app again resulted in zero friends joining me, I went alone. However, in de Boerderij I met Onno and Mario who completed the eighties feel, as in those days we would gather at Marcel's house for a jog on the beach and a game of cards.

So for those who do not know Mick Pointer, he is founder and original drummer of Marillion playing on this album and the EP.  Some years ago he fstarted the Mick Pointer Band commemorating an anniversary of the album. As band he took some famous members of Pendragon, Arena, Credo, Shadowland plus that scouser from Carpet Crawlers on vocals. Amongst the five of them I think they played de Boerderij over a hundred times, but together they shine. If you close your eyes you hear something very close to the original and when you open them up again you see Brian Cummins jumping up and down in very similar Fish style with the make-up and mullet to complete the memories. On the music there is little to add really. From the most beautiful broken hearted ballad, through drug songs, class societies and anti war lyrics we know the album. It is interesting to notice how well you know these albums from the eighties as both lyrics and music know no surprises. After the album we got several B-sides and the song many have been waiting for as well Grendel. While H used to get upset when the audience is shouting for the epic, we were now invited to ask for it and probably the loudest roar of the evening followed. The set was closed with Market Square Heroes the party song. It was very interesting to see how both band and audience reacted much better to this classic than during last year's Fish farewell to Childhood tour. This was caused by the band being much better than the group supporting Fish and the audience getting the required reaction (jumping and shouting at the right times that is). I am not critisizing Fish himself here, as no matter how good Brian sung, the stage presence of Fish is unmatched until today. Closing the evening was encore Margaret with solo spots for all band members. This was a brilliant evening and it seemed that the band were enjoying themselves as well enough to return again in a few years time. Last time they played de Boerderij a live CD was recorded and this time all was taped for DVD release. A bit pointless in my view as I stick to Recital of the Script for that one. This band does not play a lot, as this was their first and only show in three years time. I guess I shall be back if they return in 2019, since I shall never get enough of this Script.

Portugal part 2: DarkWaters - Sinistro - Forgotten Suns

Digging further into Josy's current homecountry I ran into two new interesting bands to me. For trio completion I added one album from my collection.

DarkWaters - Odds and Lies
DarkWaters play Heavy Metal with some melodic and progressive edges to it. Catchy songs around strong melodies make them stick in your head. The vocalist seems to be coming from Idols and has a quite typical sound. At times both music and voice remind me of Black Symphony and Hittman, two bands that also should have been much bigger than they grew out to be. Finding information on this band at internet requires some patience as more bands have the same or a very similar name. They seem to play the occassional gig in portugal, so maybe I can attend one some day. For me DarkWaters is a proving that all over the world unknown bands make very good albums, but lack the exposure to go anywhere really.

Sinistro - Cidade
Sinistro play Holland today at the sold out Roadburn festival and I won't be there. A review in Aardschok of their last album Semente introduced me to Sinistro. Some research on internet brought me to this EP, where vocalist Patricia Andrade was still mentioned as guest on the cover. This is their ode to home-town Lisbon and what a beautiful piece of music it is. From the poetic lyrics in Portuguese to the melancholic quiet instrumental parts all the way to heavy riffs this EP is a journey you go on. Absolutely stunning piece of music that sounds even better with headphone on, reading along the lyrics. Coincidentally (or not) Progpower friend Andrew from Ave Noctum tipped me after I received this EP on an recent album he liked a lot. Sinistro - Semente it was, so that one is already on it's way to me.That makes it two major discoveries for me in the female fronted area after Oceans of Slumber releasing Winter, who would have though that.

Forgotten Suns - Innergy
This album was released in 2009. I had their debut Fiction Edge 1 (Ascent) already, but this third release is better to me. They moved from mainly instrumental progressive rock, to a melodic progmetal band. The songs on this CD come more alive and the album hits you much harder in the face. Yes again a band was found guilty of Dream Theater Copycat, but I believe they had something of their own to them. Searching for them now I see they are still active and released a new album last year. Something to keep an open eye for and picking up if they play Portalegre when I am around.

Dirkschneider & Anvil - Dudok Tilburg 12 April 2016

Dudok in Tilburg is a beautiful church of metal and yesterday they offered us a return to our youth or roots with two eighties heavy highlights stopping over during their European tour. Dirkschneider is Udo playing for the last time his old Accept songs and Anvil is Anvil(!). Before these two bands hit the stage Italians Burning Rome had the uphill battle of warming up people looking for glories of their past with completely unknown songs to all. I am afraid that most people were either not yet in at this early hour, or did not care that much. I must admit lasting only a few songs as well, until I got a drink waiting for my sympathy of Anvil and nostalgy of Accept.

Than at a quarter past seven Anvil kicked of and very surprisingly Lipps was suddenly standing next to me when he got us all started with his March of the Crabs. Followed by 666 the mood was set and we were in for some old skool Heavy Metal as it used to be presented in the eighties.  The story of Anvil is nowadays widely known due to the best music documentary ever made (anyone who does not know that film go and look for it now, a beautiful story of persistence, friendship and bad luck). I must admit that in the eighties I only had the yellow flexi single of Forged in Fire that came with Aardschok at the time and when buying a collection some years back after the movie I did know the songs from Metal on Metal so someone should have had that near me at the time. Anvil is just genuine and they seem to be having a great time indeed. From the new album we got Daggers and Rum (a song Magchiel did not get and I quite like) and Die for a Lie (lyrically not a party song). Other highlights were to me Mothra and Swing Thing, showing that all three musician are mastering their instrument. And then it was over with according to Lipps the Epic we had been waiting for Metal on Metal. This was indeed the perfect closer as everybody knows this song and it invites for some very loud participation. I had a very entertaining show and am pleased that the movie created a turn of events in Anvil's career. Perfect festival set as well.

Udo decided to say farewell to his Accept heritage under the Dirkschneider monniker. This name stopped Magchiel from buying the grey Tee, which would be picked up if showing Accept, but it did not. Udo made no small work of his goodbye to Accept and we were treated on more than 20 songs in more than two hours. Last time I saw Udo was at Alcatraz some years ago and I remember liking the known Accept songs best, so I wonder how Udo without Accept continues. It might have been wise if I would have played their LP's once more before the show, as now I many times wondered which song I was hearing again until the choruse kicked in. To me the two hours was a bit long ad we could divide the show into two parts. On one side my absolute favorites Fast as a Shark, Princess of the Dawn, SoaB and Burning plus their hits Metal Heart, Balls to the Wall and Restless and Wild. On the other hand there were especially at the end of the regular set some songs that did not age that well really. For me these included Monsterman, Midnight Highway and TV Wars. I guess that for me a show of 90 minutes might have been better, but that was not the purpose of this tour. Udo's voice is not losing any power still and the band played tight. With the poses and the smiles of a German Power Metal bands Cheese is always lurking around the corner, but ths evening they got away with it.
So I was pleased to have this opportunity to  go back to my eighties with Magchiel. After all Accept was our favorite German band at the first half of the eighties and with Udo this good it sounded at times just like 35 years ago. Heidi Heido Heida one more time!!!

Andy Jackson - Obsidian Kingdom - Future Corpse

I do not recall many years where we arrived mid April with already so many good shows seen and great albums released. Herewith some short pointers to worthwhile purchases. As usual starting light ending dark and heavy.

Andy Jackson - 73 Days at Sea
Andy is most known for his work as engineer with Pink Floyd. This is his second solo album and guess what: perfectly  blending the later PF albums with the solo works of Waters and Gilmour. Anyone with a mild interest to the calm side of these names, should give this album a try. I did not enter lyrics of concept yet, just finding this a very pleasant album for waking up slowly. Highlight is the epic Drownings with some help from Ann Marie Helder on vocals and David Jackson (relative?) on saxophone. Atmospheric prog rock for the quiet hours.

Obsidian Kingdom  - A Year with no Summer 
This one's a grower as at first I was somewhat underwhelmed. After their thundering show at Progpower 2015 I was expecting lots and it just needed more listenings before I got the album. A bit more dark and moody than their heavy live show this now is becoming more and more a favorite of mine. Only problem with these really progressive bands who stubbornly do whatever they want, is that sometimes you miss the point. In my case unnecessary hidden track and mirrored lyrics in booklet. But maybe I know nothing, as they are from Barcelona.

Fututre Corpse - Another World to Consume
My last discovery through ProgMetalZone (why did that site stop updating?). This trio from Melbourne Australia mix heavy matters and come with a pretty interesting output. On the vocals thnk screams with to me lots of At the Drive-In passing by. Put them over a base of tech metal with some quiet bits, but many tempo changes. Out comes Another World to Consume. During the six songs from almost four to fifteen and a half minutes a lot information comes your way. I took great pleasure in processing this all and now have a new favorite that shall probably not become a household name anytime soon. Two minor regrets: the band did not include the lyrics with the CD, which helps non native speakers enjoying difficult music and me not ordering the T-shirt with the album as the artwork is a final bonus to complete the package.

Oceans of Slumber - 013 Tilburg 7 April 2016

Oceans of Slumber touring Europe was something I just could not miss and from the three shows in Holland I picked the Tilburg one, as timing suited best. Actually they are supporting My Dying Bride, but as I did not have time to see much of that show I stick with openers OoS. Given the number of hits on my album review last month I can repeat myself a bit on an explanation on this great band. Oceans of Slumber transcends genres and I am totally convinced that they should grow huge in the underground scene. Their first album Aetherial made it to the number one spot on my list of favorite albums of 2013. The remarkable part is that vocals were mainly screaming, which is not my favorite kind of vocals. On this album it just fitted perfectly with the songs and anoter plus was the music going all over the place while still coordinated. I heard Death Metal, Faith No More, Progmetal and even Scottish Proggers Pallas. Out went Ronnie Allen and in came Cammie Gilbert. A female vocalist, again not necessary my favorite style of vocals. This lady however, has the power and the pressence to convert all those who believe female fronted metal needs operatic/angelic voices all the time. Their new album Winter is brilliant and very likely ending very high on my list of 2016 releases. Again the album does not limit to any genre and should please any fan of good music really. On a recent poll of the best album of Q1 2016 (metalfan.nl) they received a special mention as they did not make the shortlist, but several people commented on their album being best so far. So off to Tilburg I went with high hopes.

Starting early at 19:00 hours suited me fine, but seemed to result in several late arrivals as well. This might have been on purpose  as I found out soon, that not too many people were aware of the songs and material upfront. I guess that after this show some fans were gained, since what we got was beautiful. The band walked on stage one by one plugged in and started off with album opener Winter. First conclusions were: what a great band live and what a voice Cammie has. Barefooted she walked the stage going from timid appearance to full blown stage conquerer. On the vocal department the male division over three ranging from clear, grunt to scream worked very nice as well. The show was build around last album Winter only and moved between soft and delicate to all out brutal metal. Devout followed slowing into Sunlight. The central peace was my favorite of the last album Apologue (got the arty Tee from this one afterwards) The heaviest song of the album made us grow our horns on demand and was an absolute highlight. It was followed up by ballad Lullaby, with some interesting bass melodies, melting into ...This Road. Musicality on display her, when drummer Dobber moved to keys and guitarist Sean took over the drums. This proved to be a very talented bunch indeed. Closer was a song we all knew in Nights in White Satin. Those raising eyebrows now, should see this version live. Great ending to a memorable evening.

After the show the band showed up at the merch stand and took their time for everyone interested. So I could ask if Aetherial would be still in during longer sets, which they confirmed. The Blue EP was sold out, so that search stays for internet. I guess that during this tour they are gaining new fans. At the same time I am sure that at Progpower they would be one of those blasts that make a huge impact on those who never heard of them before. Sure that they will be coming back, so shall I in front of the stage. Thanking them for one of the 2016 highlights, I am now playing Coffins Like Kites and the smile shall stay for some days. Those with a chance to see them until Sunday, go early and enjoy.

Voyager, Leprous +4 - Duycker Hoofddorp 3 April 2016

When two of the big successes of recent Progpower festivals tour Holland with Earthside the PPE crowd gets excited and many decided to see two or even all three shows over the weekend. I choose for one only and picked the Sunday in Hoofddorp. Reasons are twofold, closest to home and the fact that Duycker had the brillaint idea to schedule 3 Dutch Prog Rock and Metal bands in the afternoon which could be added to your ticket for the price of one beer. In the atmosphere of supporting your local bands I was present at three something and waited for what was coming. First band were Overhaul, a pretty young band. I don't know if they have played many shows, but they seemed to be finding their way on stage still. The vocalist fighting with his beer bottle and guitars too soft in the mix, made it hard to give a fair impression. Maybe after playing more shows I can appreciate them better, as the musicians as such seemed Ok. Hereafter came a much older band The Barstool Philosophers. They played Progpower a few years back and now had a new vocalist with them. Playing a heavy prog rock they sounded very mature. Maybe not for a CD to me, but I could see the quality. The new vocalist also had a strong voice, although his comments on their long trip to play only 40 minutes was somehwat misplaced, with people from abroad in the audience who paid to see them. Closer of the afternoon sessions were 3rd Machine, the most interesting band to me. They play metal and vocals between screaming, shouting and singing put a right dose of aggression to their heavy base completed by melodic guitar solo's. Today they played their upcoming album Qunatified Self in full. Unfortunately they did not have copies available yet with a due date next weekend. I would have picked up a copy as I liked their show and vocalist who thought it necessary to come stand next to me three times singing back to the stage. Typically a band that I would like to see again in Musicon, so hope they start touring the album fanatically.

With the afternoon somewhat delayed there came some pressure on dinner. Upfront you could order food at the restaurant called The Executioner. With a name like that I prefer to check out the place first, but decided to order a burger anyway. With executioners like this I would walk towards the gallow smiling, as no fear would be sensed. Or in other words the Executioner was a somewhat timid, confused but friendly man and while ordering I knew I would miss the first half of Earthside. As they shall be back in Baarlo in October I could accept this So when I entered the big hall after dinner it turned out that most people missed the afternoon sessions due to nice weather and that Earthside are an animated band. The first tracks I saw were still instrumental, but at the closer a vocalist sung to us from the screen and it sounded and looked great. Obviously the band were enjoying themselves more than just a bit as well, so they shall be popular when coming back.
And then the stage was cleared for Voyager, to be honest the reason I came today after all. Going back over the Progpower years some shows stand out in my memory and Voyager headlining the Saturday two years ago is definitely one of them. I was curious if they could overwhelm again now that the surprise would be gone. Well that was easy, they could. With the drummer sitting behind his kit, he is the only one not bouncing all over stage. This combined with an ease with which they swap styles from pop to heavy and smiling all around. Voyager described their style best on their great red T-shirts (sold out far too fast in XL at PP): Epic Electro Progressive Power Pop Metal. And this is just what they play with the Metal weighing in most. So purists might not like their electro tapes, or their poppy melodies at times. Personally I can't care less for their sideways, as this is a band creating a party and enjoying themselves doing so. I was not the only one thinking so as the response from the audience was good and everyone seemed to have a great time. Due to complaints on the short set the previous nights, they mentioned playing one extra song. Most songs I recognized, while not knowing their titles, but some that I remember now are Hyperventilating, The Morning Light and The Meaning of I. We got one moment for regaining forces during the short yet beautiful ballad Summer Always Comes Again. For the rest it was shouting along Hey, Hey, Hey, headbanging  and seeing one of the partiest Progmetal bands at work. I was pleased to see that Voyager managed to live up to high expectations and I will be there again when they return to Holland.

Then the task was to Leprous to follow this up. I do think that Leprous makes stunning music and interesting T-shirts. yet something is nagging with me and I think I found out what it is. Their best album to me is Bilateral, while they only grew bigger on the back of their last two albums Coal and The Congregation. So seeing them playing live means many new songs. I can still see the class in their performance. the tightness of riffing and timing of their harmonies. Still it seems to me a bit too programmed. The television sets playing on the background also ran in Baarlo and my conclusion was that I loved their two performances in Baarlo, while being somewhat disappointed seeing them twice too short thereafter. Also having five shows in my legs and Tiago home alone, made me quickly decide I would not see the full set (which I learned was close to two hours the nights before). So after some 45 minutes I called it quits and left. Hardly in a position to give any fair comment I could see that they are good at what they do, but also realize they might have grown away from me. Maybe two years from now (after their upcoming Black Metal album) I give it another try and change my mind again.

Portugal part1: Destroyers of All - Ravensire - Framepictures

With Josy now working in Portugal and the Tiago growing older, chances of a not so far future in Portugal increase by the week. Especially now that Brazil is nearing a division in two camps followed by total chaos, the Lusa country might well hold our future. So what does a good rocker do in such case? Prepare yourself and start digging into the Portuguese metal/prog scene. So herewith my first discoveries with a golden oldie from some years ago.

Destroyers of all - Bleak Fragments
As Josy lives in the beautiful town of Portalegre my search started while being there. Since 2014 there is an annual festival in Portalegre Core covering Rock metal and punk. First year headliners were DoA, so I stumbled on a clip of their forthcoming album Hate Through Violence. Liking this I searched for more on them and soon the album was ordered. In the meantime they received two very positive reviews on Dutch sites Ragherrie and Zware Metalen as well, so their distribution works well. For directions think Thrashy metal with screaming vocals and an occassional break musically as well as vocally. They return to Portalegre in June, but I won't be around. Portalegre Core has not yet announced dates nor bands, but hoping on a match in July. Good band on the heavier end.

Ravensire - The Cycle Never Ends
Hear them galloping away on opening track Cromlech Revelations and we know we are in for an Epic Metal treat. This band follows the line of eighties Epic Metal as set by Manowar, Virgin Steele, Exxplorer. Their main standout point is that vocalist/bass player Rick does not follow the high pitched screams, but stays on lower and rawer regions. This works very well with the music. In White Pillars they have an impressive trilogy on an excavation site near Sintra (as Rick is Archeologist) Last time I went to Portugal in February I mailed the band asking for tips on good CD stores. Guitarist Nuno offered to meet in Lisbon and pass me a CD. As I am not owning my agenda while in Portugal I could not set up same and ordered the album through bandcamp. Still I hope to see them live soon, as I am sure that this music goes down exteremely well with some pints of Sagres or Super Bock.

Framepictures - Remember It
This one is from 2010 and much apreciated by me at the time. Being overly critizied for cloning Dream Theater I remember it (!) being a great progmetal album. Seven songs ranging from 5:35 to 25:58 minutes, lots of instrumental mastery and a vocalist that causes discussions, yes I can see the DT references. Well I liked their songs, accepted the somewhat nasal voice and thought they actually had it in them to become one of the big European Progmetal bands. Well I was wrong, as an internet search nowadays makes me believe they died a silent dead. Well to me the memories did not fade away and I fail to understand why nobody cared (another two puns, but you should know the songtitles)  Sometimes bands fade out and disappear, but I still occassionally go back to this album and like what I hear.