Archeon, Alphen aan den Rijn, The NetherlandsDecember 17th 2005
Morning, Valkyre, Trisomy
In the early morning of December 17th we drove (slithered actually) through heavy hail to get to the Archeon, a historical theme park in Alphen aan den Rijn. You can visit prehistoric times, the middle ages and the Roman era and this day there was a gothic and fantasy midwinter fair. Every house and building filled with stores to everybody’s liking, there are lectures, fights and there is music!
In the ‘Refter’ (the dinner space of the monks) there is a small stage set up, with a few lamps to create some atmosphere.
In the ‘Refter’ (the dinner space of the monks) there is a small stage set up, with a few lamps to create some atmosphere.
Valkyre
They drove all the way from France for 4 hours to get to the Archeon because of the weather. Then they were told they could only play 4 songs, which was a pity for they were the most renewing band of the day, the most pleasant surprise.
They drove all the way from France for 4 hours to get to the Archeon because of the weather. Then they were told they could only play 4 songs, which was a pity for they were the most renewing band of the day, the most pleasant surprise.
Music
How daring to perform a cover of Lacuna Coil. But as I said they were a pleasant surprise and so was this song. With Joris performing the male vocals and Mieke the female vocals they make a great duo. Even though Mieke does not (yet) have the emotional power of the original song this was not a bad cover at all. Mieke has a good voice but sometimes she pushes a tune out and that is a pity, to forced. During ‘Don’t Be Sad’ there was a beautifully sung canon between Mieke and Gaelle (keys). The violin of Joris makes this music special, it give them their own distinct sound. Also during ‘A Good Day To Die’ the keys of Gaelle are wonderful to hear, very sweet and soft tunes.
How daring to perform a cover of Lacuna Coil. But as I said they were a pleasant surprise and so was this song. With Joris performing the male vocals and Mieke the female vocals they make a great duo. Even though Mieke does not (yet) have the emotional power of the original song this was not a bad cover at all. Mieke has a good voice but sometimes she pushes a tune out and that is a pity, to forced. During ‘Don’t Be Sad’ there was a beautifully sung canon between Mieke and Gaelle (keys). The violin of Joris makes this music special, it give them their own distinct sound. Also during ‘A Good Day To Die’ the keys of Gaelle are wonderful to hear, very sweet and soft tunes.
Performance
With eight band members the stage was very full during this performance but they did the best they could, giving each other some space to move. They also give their all to make the best of the time they have today. Mieke is sometimes so concentrated she frowns. Joris has a great stage performance, you can see him enjoying himself and looking for contact with the audience. Kris (guitar) had some space to head bang a few times, but all in all the band members were quite calm.
With eight band members the stage was very full during this performance but they did the best they could, giving each other some space to move. They also give their all to make the best of the time they have today. Mieke is sometimes so concentrated she frowns. Joris has a great stage performance, you can see him enjoying himself and looking for contact with the audience. Kris (guitar) had some space to head bang a few times, but all in all the band members were quite calm.
Setlist
01. Heresy
02. Daylight Dancer
03. Don’t Be Sad
04. A Good Day To Die
01. Heresy
02. Daylight Dancer
03. Don’t Be Sad
04. A Good Day To Die
Rating
Music 8
Performance 7
Light -
Sound 7
Total 7 (7,4)
Music 8
Performance 7
Light -
Sound 7
Total 7 (7,4)
Morning
Morning has become a familiar sight at the midwinterfair, they have played here last year as well. Being the last band of the day, it seemed only those who really came to see them were left. All others had left the freezing cold and went home.
Music
As of the fist song they were playing full force, an energetic start. Morning always provides a solid and reliable sound. Sometimes thundering sounds shake you and wake you up. The voice of Saskia can be soft and tender but also powerful. Today there was an extra song added to the set list, being ‘Happy Birthday’ because someone had had their birthday the day before, always a nice gesture of course.
As of the fist song they were playing full force, an energetic start. Morning always provides a solid and reliable sound. Sometimes thundering sounds shake you and wake you up. The voice of Saskia can be soft and tender but also powerful. Today there was an extra song added to the set list, being ‘Happy Birthday’ because someone had had their birthday the day before, always a nice gesture of course.
Performance
As there was little space on stage Saskia made room for the rest of the band when she wasn’t singing, so they could move around a little. Stijn (keys) was standing at the side of the stage in his own little world (this seems to be the case for all keyboard players this day).The guitarists were at times fully concentrated but they also behaved like rock stars with tough looks on their faces and some head banging to match. Mauro was making faces at other members behind his drums, this he alternated with a big smile. Even thought there was not such a large audience any more, they did give their all and made sure everybody went home with a smile on their face.
As there was little space on stage Saskia made room for the rest of the band when she wasn’t singing, so they could move around a little. Stijn (keys) was standing at the side of the stage in his own little world (this seems to be the case for all keyboard players this day).The guitarists were at times fully concentrated but they also behaved like rock stars with tough looks on their faces and some head banging to match. Mauro was making faces at other members behind his drums, this he alternated with a big smile. Even thought there was not such a large audience any more, they did give their all and made sure everybody went home with a smile on their face.
Rating
Music 7
Performance 7
Light -
Sound 7
Total 7
Music 7
Performance 7
Light -
Sound 7
Total 7
Trisomy
I hadn’t seen this band for quite some time. This was actually the first time I was going to see them with their new vocalist Martine Thijs. These were not the ideal circumstances; there was no light show for instance. They had to do it with the few lights which were set up. Therefore the lights are not accounted in the scores. And in addition to that the stage was very small.
Music
The sound level was rather pleasant, unfortunately it did sound a bit too metallic at first. Martine has a very clear and fine voice although I do miss the variations. It is all in one area and there aren’t many high or low’s to make it stand out. The songs sound fine, but they don’t grab a hold on you, don’t keep your attention. At times Marten makes a real difference to the songs with his synths, he brings a song to life.
The sound level was rather pleasant, unfortunately it did sound a bit too metallic at first. Martine has a very clear and fine voice although I do miss the variations. It is all in one area and there aren’t many high or low’s to make it stand out. The songs sound fine, but they don’t grab a hold on you, don’t keep your attention. At times Marten makes a real difference to the songs with his synths, he brings a song to life.
Performance
There was little audience but during their performance people came in and they stayed, which is a good sign of course. Martine welcomes us on this “sober, cold, early morning”. During the second song ‘Cold Feet’ both audience and band members awoke, the show came to life more. In the face of Martine you can see the power it takes to sing but not the emotions of her lyrics. Their drummer Frank was hidden behind a wall of people, you could hardly see him and on the left side of the stage there was Marten in his own little world behind his keyboard. Each band member had his or her own concentration but there was interaction though. They keep contact and have a good time together on the stage.
There was little audience but during their performance people came in and they stayed, which is a good sign of course. Martine welcomes us on this “sober, cold, early morning”. During the second song ‘Cold Feet’ both audience and band members awoke, the show came to life more. In the face of Martine you can see the power it takes to sing but not the emotions of her lyrics. Their drummer Frank was hidden behind a wall of people, you could hardly see him and on the left side of the stage there was Marten in his own little world behind his keyboard. Each band member had his or her own concentration but there was interaction though. They keep contact and have a good time together on the stage.
Rating
Music 7
Performance 6
Light -
Sound 7
Total 6 (6,4)
Music 7
Performance 6
Light -
Sound 7
Total 6 (6,4)
The Fair
After Trisomy we decided to check out the rest of the fair. It was great just to walk around for there were life role-playing characters walking all over the park. In all the houses of the Middle Ages there were little shops, for instance the Tolkien shop and the shop of the usual shoemaker who works in the Archeon. In the Roman era there are huge tents set up with a complete gothic and fantasy market.
In the Roman Inn you could sit down and enjoy the entertainment. A warrior woman (reminding me of Xena warrior princes) danced with snakes, the men Pekel entertained the audience with some medieval sailor songs, and if you listen to the lyrics they can provide quite a laugh (if you understand Dutch). Above the inn there were lectures. One of the lecturers was Professor, Dr. Roland Rotherham, he gave a lecture about animals in our history. Normally lectures can be boring but his never are. You can come after he started, but don’t even think he won’t notice or say something about it.
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