Zeus – 07

Zeus – 07
SixxKiller / Freebird – 2007
Rock/Stoner/Grunge
Waardering: ****

The guys from Zeus delivered their second album in the year of our Lord 2007. The aptly named 07 was recorded after an adventure in CBGB’s New York and a truckload of performances throughout the homecountry. The follow-up to the strong 2005 album Bad Signs was a logical one and continued down the same path. Sublime heavy rock that leans on grunge and stoner. This time however much more convincing and incorporating influences from stonerpop, doom, metal and funk. And great progression and one that made the listener long for a third record as well. Unfortunately the bassplayer decided to move to Switzerland in 2008 and it took a year to find a replacement. So when they started work on their third record a bit of the fire had disappeared and due to the busy schedules of all involved they decided to take a long break. Let’s hope they shall return; cause there is always a spot for an incredible band like this in the Lowlands…

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Zeus – Bad Signs

Zeus – Bad Signs
SixxKiller / Suburban – 2005
Rock/Stoner/Grunge
Waardering: ***

Everyone in the Netherlands knows Jeroen van Koningsbrugge as one half of comic duo Draadstaal, a comedic guest in many shows, improvisational funnyman with the Lama’s, de Citroen salesman, strange actor or from his comedic interjections in ‘game’ show Ik Hou Van Holland (I Love Holland). Lesser known are his exploits with stonerrockband Zeus. The four freaks produced the record Bad Signs in 2005, which can easily be referred to as a hefty grunge record with a large dose of stoner. Think off Soundgarden, Alice In Chains and Stone Temple Pilots camping out in the desert for a week or two. Unwielding riffs, grimy bass and powerful drums with the majestic and raw voice of Van Koningsbrugge. It’s just that the compositions aren’t as powerful as the large influences named earlier. The tension arcs are just not wound too tightly for that. But hey; the guess had only been playing together for two years…

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Dirty Sweet – American Spiritual

Dirty Sweet – American Spiritual
Acetate / Sonic Rendevous
Rock/Hard/Blues/Seventies/Southern
Waardering: ****

When their first record Of Monarchs And Beggars was released I had the pleasure of seeing the guys play in a small venue called The Rambler in Eindhoven. Dirty Sweet showed us what a perfect mix of southern rock, seventies and muddy blues should sound like. On their new album American Spiritual we are once again treated to much of all that; but now with much more conviction and a sound that is much more their own and maybe a bit cleaner. Ofcourse we can still hear the Black Crowes, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones and Lynyrd Skynyrd influences. But their damn strong compositions and arrangements sound refined, rub against rootsrock and can justly be called the Dirty Sweet sound. Add to this the extraordinary fine voice of singer Ryan Koonts and you got a recipe for a great record. One that deserves to get a lot of spins; just like the charismatic band deserves to become damn freaking big. Get it on!

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Serena Maneesh – Abyss in B Minor

Serena Maneesh – Abyss in B Minor
V2/4AD – 2010
Rock/Shoegaze/Krautrock/New Wave
Waardering: ****

Upon return from Oslo I can now say for certain that it is in fact heaven on earth. Not only because of the fact that the first rays of the summer sun made the Oslo women discard most layer of clothing. Mostly because it is the musical Mecca; due to the fact it has an incredible amount of stages; music cafes, underground bars, hundreds of festival, authentic record stores and sinister drinking halls for the raw sailors, whores and lost souls. To prove the fact we have Serena Maneesh’s second album Abyss in B Minor. Recorded in a cave outside Oslo the album sports a truckload of guest musicians, friend Sufjan Stevens and producers Nick Terry (Primal Scream) and René Tinner (Can) and sounds like a hypnotic ode to the shoegaze. Thousand and one layers, distorted by noise and hard distinguishable hooks and riffs; could lead to an almost unlistenable pulp. But this is not the case with Serena Maneesh; they make sure this form of music has… errr… Form… And in that respect they can easily hold a candle to My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless. The album has enough dark moments to propel feelings of unease and claustrophobia; ethereal lines of space and light and without losing complete sight of the pure pop-song. Breathtakingly beautiful and mysterious!

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Roadburn 2010

ROADBURN

Plagued by a vulcano with issues; the festival was once again an incredible feast and convinced everyone once again. Roadburn was a fantastic trip and even though some favorites had to miss the party; the other great ones did their stuff to make the festival once again come close to perfection. Goatsnake showed us what a reunion should be like; tight, pure and devastating. Brant Bjork is still singing around in my head and with Karma To Burn we were treated to two unbelievable parties. Tequila! The peak of the big feast of recognition was ofcourse during Garcia Plays Kyuss; during which honorable John was on occasion almost inaudible due to the fact that the entire audience was screaming along with the lyrics! The countdown for Roadburn 2011 has started…

Roadburn

Seeya on the flipside!

Biggus Diccus – Twelve Inches of Love

Biggus Diccus – Twelve Inches of Love
Unsigned/Tuition – 2010
Rock/Stoner/Metal/Parody
Waardering: ***

Unfortunately; not much information can be found about the Irish Biggus Dickus. Well, that makes it easy and fast so we can hit the bar and drink our fill. But let’s sum up what we do know. Everyone knows the Monty Python Biggus Diccus sketch of course. Well, this album called Twelve Inches of Love is the musical stoner variation on that sketch. Biggus Diccus is an Irish rockband with musical influences and aspirations sought in bands like Queens of The Stone Age, Black Sabbath and high quality lyrics found in acts like Turbonegro, Bad News and all that leads to an experience resembling a good old Spinal Tap scene. Its is all done very nicely; but with most parody acts you have had your fill after one, though very enjoyable, listening turn. Which is the case with Biggus Diccus; let’s hope that Declan Murray (the main man behind this thing, singer/songwriter and man behind The Unseen Guest and The Four In Hand) refrains from naming his next band after a seemingly dead Parrot…

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Voice of The Seven Thunders – Voice of The Seven Thunders

Voice of The Seven Thunders – Voice of The Seven Thunders
Tchantinler recordings / Twisted Nerve – 2010
Rock/Folk/Blues/Psychedelic/Acid/Freak
Waardering: ****

Voice of The Seven Thunders is the new name under which English Rick Tomlinsen’s magical freak and fruts is sent out into the big wide world. Apparently Voice of The Seven Woods was no longer the right word for the musical content; and he surely has a point there. The new record is even more prone to experimentation and definitely less folk oriented. It’s electrified! It rocks and it shaves! It reminds of Popol Vuh and Amon Düül II; who decided to delve even more into the Arabic, Egyptian and Indian musical influences which are used by bands like Woven Hand. Other worldly influences are also constantly lurking around the corner. Like a true sound-artist he sculpts his intriguing structures, which grab you by the neck-hairs and drag you with them through the seventies and never drown in artsy fartsy posturing. And whether the songs drag themselves along like dead animals or run like coyote’s on speed; it all sounds damn tasty!!

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The Megaphonic Thrift – Decay Decoy

The Megaphonic Thrift – Decay Decoy
Hype City – 2010
Rock/Psychedelic/Alternative/Noise/Shoegaze
Waardering: ****

The ugly and desperate year of 2009 will go into the books as the year of the supergroups! (When that name is considered to mean a group comprised of members of other already established bands.) One of those lesser-mentioned groups is called The Megaphonic Thrift, hailing from the Norwegian grounds of Bergen. Mostly because the members are from bands not known across the globe. Comprised of groups like Casiokids, The Low Frequency In Stereo, Syme and Stereo21 these four have now released a full-length album named Decay Decoy. The album focuses a lot on early years Sonic Youth and on deconstructing songs. They punch things up with heavy hook filled melodies and ear-crunching wall of sound bits. Intelligent breaks and repetition makes one think off and wander over to another band. No wonder their nickname is Queens of The Noise Age…

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Violent Soho - Violent Soho

Violent Soho – Violent Soho

Ecstatic Peace – 2010
Rock/Garage/Grunge/Punk/Stoner
Waardering: ****

The expected grunge revival refuses to commence; the great music boss sighed as he watched the stocks plummet like a little slinky. Unfortunately; the slinky toy can never climb up the stairs again; not even when finally there’s a faint glimmer of hope on the horizon. Hope in the form of four boys from Brisbane, Australia, who make a huge bundle of energetic garagerock with loads of grunge influences and call themselves Violent Soho. Or should I say; grungerock with some garagerock influences. When asked; the gentlemen declare they wish to be labeled as stonerpop. Even so; on their new album called Violent Soho the listener is mostly treated to songs that would have easily fitted in the repertoire of Nirvana. Rocksongs without pretension which boom straight on or fly off the handle and out of the curve. Even the one obligate sober and modest song is not forgotten. Add to this that the look is completely accurate and the voice resembles Cobain from time to time; and the world is ready for the great grunge revival. So refrain from jumping out the window o’ great music boss… There might just be one last ticket to buy and one last ride to take… And a very sexy camel indeed!

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Brant Bjork – Gods and Goddesses

Brant Bjork – Gods and Goddesses
Low Desert Punk – 2010
Rock/Stoner/Desert/Guru
Waardering: *****

A setting sun, a warm wind and a cold beer. In the distance we see a coyote chasing after a roadrunner and a few lizards relaxing after a hard day’s work. Behind us we hear we the chilled out tunes of Gods and Goddesses, the new Brant Bjork record, and life is good. Unfortunately; its still winter in the Netherlands and its damn freakin cold. It seems like spring refuses to commence over here. Luckily; we have the sun-dried tones and wise words of Brant to warm our souls. What a master! And it seems like his mythical persona is ever growing and that he’s becoming an even bigger guru. Its his voice; his warm and complete matter of fact uttering. With his laid-back tunes he guides us through his tried rock method. A dash of Jimi Hendrix, a truckload of soul and funk, wise words which could also be uttered by Bob Marley and an attitude straight from the skater and surf community. And even though it only reminds us vaguely of what Kyuss did in the past; it still is, or maybe even more; archetypal stonerrock. Now; here’s me hoping spring will come to the Netherlands soon; so that we too may enjoy these great tunes of master Brant outside in the sun…

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Broken Teeth – Viva La Rock, Fantastico!

Broken Teeth – Viva La Rock, Fantastico!
Perris – 2010
Rock/Sleaze/Metal/Pub
Waardering: ****

A perfect combination between Aussie Pub Rock, NWOBHM and Sleazerock. That’s one way to introduce the new record Viva La Rock, Fantastico! of the American Broken Teeth to your buddies. Founded in 1999 by Jason McMaster and Paul Lidel of glam-metal sensation Dangerous Toys; they guys have delivered their fifth album. Jason is by the way the only surviving member of the original line-up and the man smells that there’s a revival of the pub/sleaze rock genre in the air; so the man sets a new standard! AC/DC and Rose Tattoo are obviously the main feudal lords; but they all tap into that magic that Motörhead and The Hellacopters do so well. Not too strange then that Danko Jones, self pronounced omniscient all-rounding rock-god and know it all of all good rock-outfits, joins in on a little tune. Fast and fuel burning loud the record trucks on and shows that the genre’s still have some great freakin music left untapped. No bullshit, just rock! You would almost think that the guys are secretly from Australia after all!

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Jimi Hendrix – Valleys of Neptune

Jimi Hendrix – Valleys of Neptune
Sony – 2010
Rock/Blues/Seventies/Jimi
Waardering: ****

Most of the songs were already in whatever version or appearance known among the fans of the grandmaster. With the release of the ‘new’ Jimi Hendrix record everyone can enjoy those songs and get excited. Cause finally all those songs are gathered on one record: the so-called legendary, mythical and unfinished songs. Of the twelve songs on Valleys of Neptune we have seven known ones and five ‘unknowns’. One song writhes and sounds meager, another comes across as a jam spinning out of control and yet another sounds like a mediocre song that normally would never have been heard outside the confines of the rehearsal-studio. But there are also jewels on this record that will make you vibrate out of pure happiness. When Fire, raw and mean blasts out of your speakers or when Lover Man stomps through the room and when the driving rhythm of Mr. Bad Luck keeps you going and doing whatever you were doing. But who the fuck cares; I can hear you thinking. And you are freakin right! It is the grandmaster! It’s fuckin Jimi!

HOMEPAGE