Tivoli, Utrecht, The Netherlands
18th November 2011
Textures, SiMÓN, Steak Number Eight
The Dutch formation TEXTURES is well known for producing progressive metal with mathematic precision and complexity. Over the last few years, there have been some changes in line up and atmosphere of their music. Recently, the band released their 4th studio album ‘Dualism’. Without losing their characteristic dynamics and loudness, I expect they will reach a broader range of audience with this album. In between international touring, TEXTURES found a little time for a short tour in their home country, and I’m curious what their live show will bring.
Steak Number Eight
STEAK NUMBER EIGHT is a post rock / noise band from Belgium. Their music is influenced by amongst others TOOL, DEFTONES and PELICAN. In spite of their young age, these boys have been around the block, winning the famous Belgian ‘Humo’s Rockrally’ award and touring several big festivals in Europe. Furthermore, they opened for headliners such as DEFTONES, TORCHE and PELICAN. Recently, their album ‘All is Chaos’ was released. STEAK NUMBER EIGHT is Brent Vanneste (Vocals, guitar), Joris Casier (Drums), Jesse Surmont (bass) and Cis Deman (Guitar). www.steaknumbereight.com / www.myspace.com/steakn8
Music & Performance
The intro of STEAK NUMBER EIGHT is long and dark… and long and dark.. and…. And then I’m pretty pleasantly surprised by the deep dark voice of singer Brent, who seems to me not much older than 18. What follows are atmospheric and sometimes even minimalistic guitar pieces, followed by more energetic parts and an occasional scream or grunt. The transitions in their tracks are quite abrupt, being a pleasant surprise every now and then. But it does make their music a bit hard to follow and less comprehensible for those unfamiliar with it. Despite their qualitative experimental sound, it seemed that unfortunately show time was having a beer at a bar someplace else. The STEAK boys hardly moved from their place, let alone interact with each other. I guess it’s a matter of taste but the mysterious introvert attitude, apart from Brent’s outcries, cannot keep my attention very long in a live show. Musically: an interesting band with its own unique atmosphere.
Rating
Music: 7
Performance: 6
Sound: 7
Light: 4
Total: 6 / 10
SiMÓN
SiMÓN is a Dutch doom rock band that started out as a project in 2005 by several (ex-)members of well known bands in the scene. Their debut album ‘Slices of You’ was released at Psycho Squad records in 2009. SiMÓN describes their music as a comprehensive mix of heavy, bombastic metal, psychedelics and melodic rock. SiMÓN is Bart Heuts (ex DREADLOCK PUSSY) and Ilja Traas (ex CRAVEN, SK;RL and DEAD BY DAWN) on vocals and guitars, Jaap Melman (ex DREADLOCK PUSSY, REVAMP) on bass and Sjoerd van der Knoop (FACE TOMORROW, DEAD BY DAWN, VIBERIDER) on drums. http://www.myspace.com/simon-the-band
Music & Performance
Originally, it was FACE TOMORROW that would open for TEXTURES tonight, but due to illness of their singer, they were unable to hit the stage tonight. Instead, drummer Sjoerd van der Knoop from FACE TOMORROW was able to fill the spot with one of his other projects: SiMÓN. SiMÓN is a project that consists of several members of other Dutch rock and metal formations. Their own description on their music: “a mix of heavy, bombastic metal, with psychedelic and rock influences” fits their performance quite nicely so I will keep it at that. Unfortunately, tonight’s sound seemed not properly balanced throughout SiMÓN‘s show. At times, one of the guitars was sticking out in the overall sound in an ugly way and singer Bart could sometimes hardly be heard. What characterizes SiMÓN amongst others is the special role for bass player Jaap: what this guy can do with a bass guitar rocks big time and I like it. 
Personally I think that SiMÓN could easily fill their set in an instrumental way, and I wouldn’t mind if the vocals where left out. Looking at their song titles (couldn’t find any lyrics) it makes me wonder what they add. Overall a nice and energetic warming up for tonight’s headliner!
Setlist
01. Osama
02. Champignon
03. Medaillon
04. Down the Valley
05. Bastille
Rating
Music: 7
Performance: 7
Sound: 6
Light: 5
Total: 6.3 / 10
Textures
TEXTURES is a progressive metal band from the Netherlands, formed in 2001. The bands’ style is influenced by progressive metal, metal core, technical death metal and groove metal. TEXTURES first came to the spotlight with their fully self produced debut album ‘Polars’ which won an Award for ‘Most Promising Act’ back in 2004. TEXTURES released two more albums with Listenable Records, ‘Drawing Circles’ in 2006 and ‘Silhouettes’ in 2008. Over the years, TEXTURES has known some line-up changes, of which especially the vocal changes made their albums sound slightly different but with the same brutal guitar and drum sound. When after six years, singer/front man Eric Kalsbeek left the band in 2009, he was replaced by Daniël de Jongh. Listening to their latest album ‘Dualism’ this change seems to show mainly in a focus on the clean vocals rather than the grunts. ‘Dualism’ was released in September 2011 and TEXTURES just finished a successful tour in the US, along with bands PERIPHERY and THE HUMAN ABSTRACT. TEXTURES is Daniel de Jongh (vocals), Jochem Jacobs (guitars), Bart Hennephof (guitars), Stef Broks (drums), Remko Tielemans (bass) and Uri Dijk (synths). www.texturesband.com
Music & Performance
When SiMÓN finished, the stage was cleared and the audience waited… and waited… It turned out that TEXTURES was delayed because of their appearance in the well-known Dutch TV program ‘De Wereld Draait Door’ (The world turns on and on). In spite of a few impatient fans, nobody really seemed to bother their late show up. I personally think it’s pretty cool: Dutch metal on mainstream television HELL YEAH! Once TEXTURES arrived, they got a warm welcome and the stage was rebuilt in fast forward by the band members and their roadies. Ready to go, TEXTURES took off with ‘Arms of the Sea’ from their latest album ‘Dualism’ and the crowd was instantly enthusiastic all over. As expected, TEXTURES is loud, hard and tight as a clock with wicked guitar and drum parts. But there’s also the more than pleasant voice of Daniel who seems to be capable of anything with his vocal cords. Grunting, screaming or clean vocals: the man can do it all. 
The next few songs take a step back in time with ‘Regenesis, ‘Storm Warning’ and ‘Polars’ from their previous albums. Hands go up in the air and the first proper moshpit is a fact. Up next more from their recent work with ‘Sanguine draws the Oath’. The tracks from ‘Dualism’ are perhaps slightly less brutal than their previous work but have complex layers and a strong balance between loud and more sophisticated parts. The next song reminds me strongly of some other awesome bands and is definitely a favourite. When I first heard ‘Consonant Hemisperes’, I would swear I was listening to ‘Sextape’ from DEFTONES ‘Diamond Eyes’. The second part of the Textures song has a very nice FAITH NO MORE like ambiance, especially because of Daniels vocals. Despite of their hectic arrival, TEXTURES visibly enjoys the stage and their energy is easily transferred to the audience, responding with more moshing and more heads banging as their last song ‘Swandive’ is announced. 
Afterwards, the band sits down on stage and has a chat with the audience about how bad they want another few songs. Eventually they’re convinced and we’re treated to some more TEXTURES with ‘Messengers’, ‘Singularity’ and ‘Laments of an ‘Icarus’. TEXTURES seems to be very well on their way to reach a broader and more international audience. With a live show like this I can only conclude that this should be a piece of cake!
Setlist
01. Mental State
02. Arms of the Sea
03. Regenesis
04. Storm Warning
05. Polars
06. Stream of Consciousness
07. Sanguine draws the Oath
08. Consonant Hemispheres
09. Awake
10. Swandive
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11. Messengers
12. Singularity
13. Laments of an Icarus
Rating
Music: 9
Performance: 8
Sound: 8
Light: 6
Total: 7.8 / 10
All pics by Ruth Mampuys (www.ruth-less.nl)
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