Willemeen, Arnhem, The NetherlandsJanuary 19th 2006
Trail of Tears and Xystus
Due to lack of time I arrived at the Willemeen while Xsystus had already started. It had its advantages, no line for instance. Although it seemed there hadn’t been a line anyway for it was not all that busy inside. There was a crowd of some 30 people max. The ones who were there were having a good time though and during their performance more people came in. Both bands had their own audience, in between the bands there was a change between the back and the front of the audience.
Xystus
I hadn’t seen Xystus for a very long time so I was looking forward to their show. The stage was decorated with their two front drops showing the image of their latest album. The show was already full on the road when we got in and there was a good atmosphere.
I hadn’t seen Xystus for a very long time so I was looking forward to their show. The stage was decorated with their two front drops showing the image of their latest album. The show was already full on the road when we got in and there was a good atmosphere.
Music
There is tension in the music, you can hear there is a story in it. The keys can be a powerful part of the songs but can also sound like someone is playing a pc game. Bas has a warm and pleasant voice, he does not do their ballad justice, the tension of the song is lost. But during the other songs he shows us what he is capable of and proves to be a fine singer. At times Bas is joined by their guitarist but that is not audible unfortunately. Tonight they played a new song, ‘Whole in Pieces’ about ‘the ice man’ a cold blooded murderer who killed for 30 years. You hear the murderer talk and this is impressive, the tension in the song suits the story, wonderfully done. Then during ‘My Chrysalis’ there were some great keyboard pieces. The sound was mostly ok during the show.
There is tension in the music, you can hear there is a story in it. The keys can be a powerful part of the songs but can also sound like someone is playing a pc game. Bas has a warm and pleasant voice, he does not do their ballad justice, the tension of the song is lost. But during the other songs he shows us what he is capable of and proves to be a fine singer. At times Bas is joined by their guitarist but that is not audible unfortunately. Tonight they played a new song, ‘Whole in Pieces’ about ‘the ice man’ a cold blooded murderer who killed for 30 years. You hear the murderer talk and this is impressive, the tension in the song suits the story, wonderfully done. Then during ‘My Chrysalis’ there were some great keyboard pieces. The sound was mostly ok during the show.
Performance
There is no lack of enthusiasm in this band, they love to perform and it shows. Ivo is making faces behind his drum, giving it all his energy. Bas is not only showing what he is singing in his face but also in his movements, although I think he might have gotten the text of ‘Rainbow High in the Sky’ a bit wrong for when he sung “need you to tomorrow” he put two fingers up. But over all he does a great job as the front man of this band. Both the guitarists and their keyboard player are always in motion, giving both their instrument and their presentation full energy. Over all the lights were good, adjusted to the music, although sometimes it was dark for a bit too long on stage. At the end of the show everybody was left with a big smile on their faces because of their ‘Rainbow High in the sky’ cover!
There is no lack of enthusiasm in this band, they love to perform and it shows. Ivo is making faces behind his drum, giving it all his energy. Bas is not only showing what he is singing in his face but also in his movements, although I think he might have gotten the text of ‘Rainbow High in the Sky’ a bit wrong for when he sung “need you to tomorrow” he put two fingers up. But over all he does a great job as the front man of this band. Both the guitarists and their keyboard player are always in motion, giving both their instrument and their presentation full energy. Over all the lights were good, adjusted to the music, although sometimes it was dark for a bit too long on stage. At the end of the show everybody was left with a big smile on their faces because of their ‘Rainbow High in the sky’ cover!
Set list
01. Intro
02. Journey
03. Into the Void
04. Elements of the Truth
05. Resurrection of Chaos
06. Everlasting Burden
07. Lost in Misery 1
08. Lost in Misery 3
09. Intro
10. Whole in Pieces
11. My Chrysalis
12. Forgotten Years
13. Rainbow High in the Sky
01. Intro
02. Journey
03. Into the Void
04. Elements of the Truth
05. Resurrection of Chaos
06. Everlasting Burden
07. Lost in Misery 1
08. Lost in Misery 3
09. Intro
10. Whole in Pieces
11. My Chrysalis
12. Forgotten Years
13. Rainbow High in the Sky
Rating
Music 7
Performance 7
Light 7
Sound 7
Total 7
Music 7
Performance 7
Light 7
Sound 7
Total 7
Trail of Tears
After a small tour a while ago, they were back to please us with another tour. They were even the headliner of the Music Against Cancer festival that weekend.
After a small tour a while ago, they were back to please us with another tour. They were even the headliner of the Music Against Cancer festival that weekend.
Music
The show was off to a bad start considering the sound, it sounded far away and there were some distortions. The band continued and problems were solved. We were treated to a mixture of old songs and new. Both our and their favourites were played. Songs from the ‘Dimension of Might’ were quite popular with the audience. They still sound fantastic even without the female vocals, they adapted the songs for Kjetil and there are no sacrifices made to the essence of the songs at all. The new songs are very strong and more masculine, rougher. The show ended with a personal favourite of the band “Carriers of the Scars of Life”.
The show was off to a bad start considering the sound, it sounded far away and there were some distortions. The band continued and problems were solved. We were treated to a mixture of old songs and new. Both our and their favourites were played. Songs from the ‘Dimension of Might’ were quite popular with the audience. They still sound fantastic even without the female vocals, they adapted the songs for Kjetil and there are no sacrifices made to the essence of the songs at all. The new songs are very strong and more masculine, rougher. The show ended with a personal favourite of the band “Carriers of the Scars of Life”.
Performance
Ronny has such a stage presence. His eyes have an almost hypnotic stare to them. Kjetil is has a more friendly appearance, though that can change when he is singing. Together they are a great combination on stage. It was a bit crowded for such a small stage but they managed. There was a lot of interaction with the audience, we were asked to clap along and come closer to the stage (they promised not to bite). After they left the stage for the first time, Kjetil peaked from behind the door to see if we were interested in more, and we were. The entire audience shouted for more. It seems as though the audience and the band warmed up together during the performance and ended together full of enthusiasm and energy.
Ronny has such a stage presence. His eyes have an almost hypnotic stare to them. Kjetil is has a more friendly appearance, though that can change when he is singing. Together they are a great combination on stage. It was a bit crowded for such a small stage but they managed. There was a lot of interaction with the audience, we were asked to clap along and come closer to the stage (they promised not to bite). After they left the stage for the first time, Kjetil peaked from behind the door to see if we were interested in more, and we were. The entire audience shouted for more. It seems as though the audience and the band warmed up together during the performance and ended together full of enthusiasm and energy.
Set list
01. Joyless Trance of Winter
02. Architect of My Downfall
03. Intro
04. A Fate Sealed in Red
05. Profoundemonium
06. Face of Jealousy
07. Intro
08. Ecstatic
09. Crashing Down
10. Disappointments True Face
11. Intro
12. Splendid coma Vision
13. Caffeine
14. Watch U Fall
15. Blast 666
16. Carriers of the Scars of Life
01. Joyless Trance of Winter
02. Architect of My Downfall
03. Intro
04. A Fate Sealed in Red
05. Profoundemonium
06. Face of Jealousy
07. Intro
08. Ecstatic
09. Crashing Down
10. Disappointments True Face
11. Intro
12. Splendid coma Vision
13. Caffeine
14. Watch U Fall
15. Blast 666
16. Carriers of the Scars of Life
Rating
Music 8
Performance 7
Light 7
Sound 6
Total 7 (7,2)
Music 8
Performance 7
Light 7
Sound 6
Total 7 (7,2)
Comments powered by CComment