Music Against Cancer, Melkweg, Amsterdam, Netherlands
22th January 2005
Trail of Tears, Autumn, Nemesea, Xystus, Morning, Soulstitia
Today people are not just visiting a normal festival, no this festival is organised to collect money for research against cancer. That made the day special and emotional, also for the bands.
Soulstitia
This band from Utrecht calls itself ‘A musical translation of human emotions into gothic atmospheric metal.’ In 2002 their demo ‘Second’ made a good impression. This is their first gig in about a year and I am very curious to hear them.
On their website you can find more information http://www.soulstitia.com/ also about the upcoming record ‘Psyche’ expected in April of this year.
Music
The first impression is maybe that they have something in common with Orphanage. They have a heavy sound with clean male vocals and sometimes heavy grunts. The female vocalist Angelique uses her voices in a lot of different ways. Sometimes high and than suddenly low and dark. The musicians are all very professional and the sound is well balanced. When they enter the stage slowly the intro grows with a low guitar sound, symphonic keys and then suddenly it turns out to be a heavy start: a duel between Angelique and the clean voice of Ivo. The second song is totally different and I guess it is new material. A more folk orientated beat with many instrument lines: catchy and original. The last songs are very convincing: the drum sound is raw, the grunts are deep and together with the guitars there is a good structure for the dramatic vocal lines of Angelique. She shows than that she is a vocalist who can handle the heavy sound very well. All together it is a good impression.
Performance
All dressed in white, creates a totally different atmosphere. It is a kind of serene what reminds me with what goal everyone is here: to collect money for cancer research. A bit insecure the band starts their gig, after the first song they feel more secure. The people in the front are not moving a lot and have an awaiting attitude, but in the end people are moving. During the first songs the band isn’t moving a lot. Angelique is focused on her parts, but all together the band is very strong on stage. They have fun, have the technical control and Soulstitia is a band with a lot of diversity in their songs. Their song ‘Dedicated’ is aggravate to all those people who came in touch with cancer and that makes the atmosphere totally different: more emotional.
Rating
Music 8
Performance 7
Light 7
Sound 7
Total 7 (7,4)
Morning
When we talk about the gothic scene in the Netherlands, Morning is band that has his own place in that scene. First of all, because they are not real gothic but only have female vocal lines and second because they have a strong album out now: Hour of Joy. All the bands are performing for free and the money is for the Dutch cancer suppression.
Music
From the first second till the end the whole band plays an up-tempo set. It is amazing to see how many energy all the band members have. New songs are mixed with some old ones (yes also the one where Sanskia grunts) and it is all very dynamic and they can convince the audience easily. They have a strong fan base, so many people are standing in the front although it is maybe a bit early. The sound is good and especially the lightshow is very good. All together they are one of the outstanding bands from this festival. Why? Well they have a very original sound with heavy guitars and drums, but that is not it. Saskia is a very strong vocalist (sometimes she reminds me of Nienke de Jong) a warm, low voice with a lot of power behind her parts. She doesn’t choose the easiest way: she definitely gives everything.
Performance
Front woman Saskia gives everything for this gig, not only her vocal parts are strong, but she makes contact with the audience. The other band members are more modest on stage, what gives her the change to move a lot. Headbanging, screaming to the audience and dressed in black, she knows what to do. The audience likes it: dancing in the front and more to the back people are listening too. Mornings brings the power in their gig and are still growing in their professional attitude.
Rating
Music 8
Performance 8
Light 7
Sound 7
Total 8 (7,8)
Xystus
They were on the road with Epica and now they did some gigs with Trail of Tears. This Dutch band is not easy to describe with their roots in the symphonic metal and still very accessible to other scenes. They are currently working on a new record, but still found the time to do some gigs also.
Music
Xystus is heavy, catchy and joyful. A band with a high energy level and that reflects in the songs. Their material is heavy with clean guitars and that reminds me sometimes of power metal bands like Edguy or Stratovarius. Also the voice of Bas is strong and he has the power to switch from low to high notes in a short timeperiode. It is amazing to see how much this band grown to a more professional level. They started more then 5 years ago, just as friends who wanted to play music and now they are a band with structure and an own sound. The fans can be satisfied: a long set with songs from their debut ‘Receiving Tomorrow’ and also a new song, very promising because there is more space for every instrument. They keys are more on their own, also the drums are more open and the structure is very catchy. Ivo creates a dynamic sound on drums, Bas his vocals are dynamic and it doesn’t get boring at all. With the cover ‘Rainbow in the sky’ the party is complete.
Performance
The whole band is very united on stage: everyone knows his part and give everything. Bas is a front man who doesn’t want to act very unnatural. It gets emotional when they dedicate the song ‘Tale of the heart’ to all the people who know what cancer is and can do. Bas is very open and personal when he explains why Xystus choose that special song. Ivo and Bas write the song in a period when they both had problems. When they start to play, everyone is silent and the atmosphere is full of emotions. For the first (and last) time this day the emotions are very intense. A big respect for the guys who could play it fluently.
Rating
Music 8
Performance 7
Light 8
Sound 7
Total 8 (7,5)
Nemesea
After a break from half an hour, Bazz (VanKatoen) enters the stage to announce Dutch gothic band Nemesea. Floor Jansen (AF) couldn’t be there today, so Bazz needs to do the presentation alone. He manages to create a nice atmosphere and it is soon crowded again.
Music
With ‘Mana’ Nemesea was a new band in the traditional gothic scene. Easily you can add them in the list of Nightwish, Epica and more. Their sound isn’t that experimental and a bit save in that way. That doesn’t mean that the band can’t play. They are all very respectful musicians, but today it is not convincing enough for me. Maybe it has to deal with the other bands, but Nemesea still have to prove themselves. Manda Oosthuis is a very clear vocalist: her techniques are good developed and she knows her strengths. High, pure and all in a good condition.
Performance
Manda, dressed in a blue shirt, is a bit static in the beginning of the gig, but soon she move more and it goes better. Sonny on her right also moves more, what makes it easier for her to follow his movements. It is all a bit programmed, but that is better nothing. Finally there is more space for the keyboard player to show is enthusiasm. The last time in Vera (Groningen) he was wrapped in totally darkness. I have the idea that the band can’t find the extra energy to make it a unique gig. In Groningen there were a lot of family: now there are only curious fans. It is packed in the front, but that has to deal with the fact that people are waiting for the headliner. The interaction with the audience wasn’t that good as Morning or Xystus had this day.
Rating
Music 7
Performance 6
Light 7
Sound 7
Total 7 (6,6)
Autumn
A day can go fast, suddenly there is the first headliner of the evening: Autumn. They can play for one hour and for many people this was also a reason to visit the Music Against Cancer festival. Two gigs to go and than it will be a bit silent around the band, because they need time to make a new album.
Music
Amazing is the keyword of today. When I thought that some bands have reached their highest level, it is even possible to do it better. I called the last gig from Autumn in Groningen perfect. I think that they played a more perfect gig today. There was a certain drive in the band to show everything they got. A set list with up-tempo songs like ‘The Green Angel, Mirror Magic Sight and The Witch In Me’. There are some moments of rest between the songs for Nienke to talk with the audience. She makes jokes and also talks with her band members. The medley Premeditated Dying is played also, and the band does is all very smoothly like it is nothing. They were always a band with a good live reputation and Autumn proved today again that they can be a good headliner.
Performance
An intensive gig for all of the members: they have more space on stage, so Mats and Jens can move a lot: headbanging, running around and making poses together. That in combination with the enthusiasm of Nienke makes the show more then just a simple performance. Also Meindert with his deep aggressive grunt makes contact with the audience, more modest, but in a natural way. Shame that the keyboard player is hidden in the dark, but Jan on drums is finally in the spotlight also. Nienke, dressed in a white corset is just herself on stage: it is all so natural for her. Autumn has the experience of ages, even more then Trail of Tears and that is what is an important factor in their show. From the beginning there are a lot of fans in the front, and soon the interaction is there. Indispensable for a great show and Autumn even did more: the whole venue is convinced halfway the set, from there it only goes up to a higher level. The audience gives more, the band more and soon the energy is almost gone. ‘Luckily’ they played just an hour and not more. The audience screams for more and Nienke comes back for two more songs, also she reminds everyone why we are here today. ,, Everyone knows people in their family or friends who come in contact with the terrible illness cancer.”
What can you do more than give everything? Autumn gave everything they got and that is a strong assistance in the battle against cancer.
Rating
Music 9
Performance 9
Light 8
Sound 8
Total 9 (8,8)
Trail of Tears
A well known name from the past, but with many line-up changements a real new band with a new sound. I the past they had female vocal lines, but nowadays they have two men on stage. Today is their last gig from a short package with Xystus in The Netherlands.
Music
The vocals of Ronny Thorsen were always a trademark of the band and still it is amazing to see him on stage. Together with vocalist Kjetil Nordhus (also well-known from Green Carnation) they are a strong team. On their last tour with Therion in 2004, they were a bit insecure on stage, but today they have the right mood. They have a heavy set list with some old songs, but most of all from the last record ‘Free Fall into Fear.’ In the beginning the sound isn’t that good: the guitars are not separate, but soon it goes better. Trail of Tears is a more adult Cradle of Filth: heavy, but still catchy and with some strong melody lines.
Performance
Ronny dressed in leather, is an almost dry-eyed front man. He starts the show like he is just practising, but soon he really looks the audience in the eyes. I can imagine that they are tired of waiting the whole day, but that is no excuse to show no energy. It is just that I miss that a lot. I haven’t seen the whole gig, so maybe after the first twenty minutes it went better, but I have my doubt. It is a band that can’t fulfil the task of a headliner. People are curious but not as pleased as it can be. There were guest performances with George Oosterhuis (Orphanage) and also Michael Krumins (also from Green Carnation). During Autumn people were excited, but now everyone is more waiting for what comes next. Many people are leaving soon after the band entered the stage, and I prefer to go also (otherwise I had to sleep in de Melkweg I guess). It was great for this festival to have a non-Dutch headliner, but on the other hand we can make better music.
Rating
Music 7
Performance 7
Light 7
Sound 7
Total 7
Photographes: Femke Hansen - www.femkehansen.nl
More pictures on her website
Comments powered by CComment