Slough Feg - Ape Uprising

Cruz Del Sur Music

Slough Feg, who used to be called ‘The Lord Weird Slough Feg', originates from Central Pennsylvania and was founded twenty years ago. They derived their name from a character in an ancient Irish mythology. In the year 1990 they moved to San Francisco but still mankind had to wait until 1996 before they released their self produced and self titled debut. Since then they produced five more full lengths, did two UK shows and acted on the German Keep It True fest.  Now Cruz Del Sur Music releases their seventh record to date.

26/05/2009 ANTI-FLAG, The Tenement Kids, Splitside @ AB Box, Brussels

A show on a Tuesday is always a guess. Even big bands can suffer from a lack of audience. So it seemed to turn out today as well. During the openingacts Splitside and Tenement Kids not that many people attended the bands. A pityfull thing because both the Swedish Splitside as the Dutch lads of Tenement Kids did their job. Especially the last one got the crowd more and more enthusiast after each song. Even so far the audience applauded rather long at the end of their gig. They presented some songs that were more than just an average punk song and they have a very skilled bass player who lifts the music to a higher level.

Last band of the evening were the guys from Anti-Flag. Now the crowd was at his top, but even then the hall wasn’t half filled. The band luckily didn’t care and delivered what their fans came for: a top tight show with tons of energy, contact with the audience and great songs. Besides some new ones, the band also played some old classics which made the crow go wild. A huge circle pit was their part. It was good to see how really young (many girls!) and older punkers moshed along on songs like “Die For Your Government”, “Sodom, Gomorrah, Washington D.C.” and many others. Also the speeches between the songs really made sense and show a band with a clear view and message. Anti-Flag certainly has the ability to move and convince the people.

Me First And The Gimme Gimmes @ AB Brussels (01-06-2009)

Party on Whitsun Monday in the AB in Brussels.

It was a delicious punk evening with our heroes from Useless ID & Me First And The Gimme Gimmes. The AB Box was sociable full on this hot summer evening, 500 people I guess.

Stream Of Passion - The Flame Within

Napalm Records

After the split of After Forever, only two big Dutch gothic metal bands remain: Epica and Within Temptation. We don't mention The Gathering, they are an institute on their own. Many others tried to become the fourth band to be named with them in one breath. Also Stream Of Passion gave it a try with their 2005 debut Embrace The Storm. The brainchild of Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon, Vengeance, Star One,...) gained some really good reactions in the press worldwide. All this resulted in an uncountable number of gigs and a live dvd called Live In The Real World.

19/05/2009 CAGE, Dragonsfire, Gae Bolga @ The Frontline, Ghent

Three bands on a Tuesday night in the Frontline, a quiet familiar view. Luckily one of the bands name was Cage, the well known US Power metal heads. They were touring Europe by own strength and after some German and Eastern Europe shows they played two dates in Belgium as well. The first date was this one.

Rob Rock - The Voice Of Melodic Metal Live In Atlanta

AFM Records

It was the year 1983 when Rob Rock started to sing in a band  he founded together with Chris Impellitteri. They just recorded a demo tape. Nevertheless some people really liked his voice and he joined musicians Tony MacAlpine (guitar), Tommy Aldridge (drums), and Rudy Sarzo (bass) in a project called M.A.R.S.  The group released a single album called ‘Project Driver'. It turned out to be one of the heavy metal highlights of the 80's. Later he sang with many other great bands such as Impelliterri, Axel Rudi Pell and was linked as a guest musician to Avantasia.
As a solo musician, he already released four albums of which ‘Garden Of Chaos' (2007) is the latest effort.

The Chelsea Smiles - The Chelsea Smiles

DR2 Records

The Chelsea Smiles is a US rock'n roll/sleaze band formed by guitarist Todd Youth, who used to play acts such as Murphy's Law, Warzone, Samhain and Danzig. Youth also played with Motörhead in May 2003, filling in for three shows on Motörhead's tour of the United States as Phill Cambell's mother had passed away and he was unable to continue on tour.

Old Mans Child - Slaves Of The World

Century Media Records

Founded in 1993 Old Mans Child is one of the older Norwegian death/black metal bands still around. Mastermind Galder, who is the only permanent member of the band, now releases it's seventh record through Century Media. Despite the fact he became a full member of Dimmu Borgir in 2001, this didn't put an end on his creativity.

CD Release Homer @ JC De Klinker (01-05-2009)

Black Messiah - The First War Of The World

AFM Records

The first time I heard this bands name dates from 2006, the year they released ‘Of Myths And Legends'. I recall this record as a descent pagan black metal effort, but not that shocking. Especially their more folk influenced songs did the trick at that period.