Замечательная группа из Голландии.
Их называют Holland Genesis!!!
Работают в духе "Trick of the tail"
Поют на голландском.
Рекомендуется всем fans Genesis.
12+ из 12!!!

Here's a real treat. For anyone who isn't familiar with this classic Dutch band, here's a little history lesson.
Formed in the mid seventies they started out making symphonic rock with some jazzrock influences.
They quickly became one of the most talked about live acts in Holland and their Genesis-influences earned them the nickname "The Hague's Genesis". Their shows were all sold-out and the reviews were fantastic. The first and only release came in 1978. An EP with two tracks, but there wasn't any LP to follow up. They disbanded in 1982.
In 2000 the band reformed for some shows and the reception was great. So they decided to finally record an album. In march of 2002 "After The Battle" was released and finally there was an album available. The band today sounds more modern than I expected, but the right feeling is there. The album (60 minutes +) gives an insight to why Dutch progressive music comes highly recommended everywhere.
They have the progressive elements but never loses touch with the beauty of melodies.
Too bad that there aren't any albums available from their glory days, but at least they're back.
If you are into melodic symph/prog this album shouldn't be missed.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (review by Olov)http://www.missingpiece.net/


Далее ревюшка, взятая с сайта DPRP.

Tracklist:

The Battle (3:28),
After The Battle /mp3 (11:19),
See The Dwarf (6:50),
Sleeping Warriors (0:53),
End Of The Line (6:35),
Death And Lost Glory (0:59),
Ghost Town (5:18),
The Hunchback (9:48),
Sign Of The Knife (8:26),
There Come the Warlords (3:08)
bonus track: Remember Forever (re-recorded, remastered) (4:24)

Over twenty years in the making, the world is finally honoured by the arrival of a full-length Plackband studio album. Luck and the overall situation of progressive rock in the late Seventies and very early Eighties left Plackband only be able to release a self-financed 7" single before their breaking up in 1981. 1999 saw the band re-uniting in the original line-up, and what started off as having just a bit of fun, the enthusiastic response from audiences led them to seriously think about doing studio recordings. The making company with Xymphonia Records led to that silver thing turning round in my CD player this very moment, as it has been doing for the last couple of hours actually.

Plackband have been playing their twenty-year old repertoire during the last couple of years. From the first gig on, it has never ceased to amaze me how well those songs still stand out. This CD features mostly older compositions as well, but unlike you have ever heard before.

In their early days, the band was often referred to as The Hague's Genesis. Quoting that title saves me a lot of reference problems. And indeed, taking the best from this side of prog, you'll end up referring to the Genesis from 1974 - 1977 anyway. Comparisons are in the way the songs are built up, I think. A tapestry of sounds, strong emphasis on melody, not too complex, emotional playing, melodic soloing.

But there's a lot of differences too, of course. Guitarist Ronald van Brautigam is a Hackett fan, but also a Steve Howe fan. Keyboard player Michel van Wassem can provide the keyboard contributions to the song like Banks did, but he has an eye for more interesting weird stuff and sounds, making the music sound more modern that what you'd expect from something described as having mid-Seventies influences. I thought this way about the music when I first heard them (in the mid-Eighties), but I still think of it this way. The songs still stand out.

Compared to all the recordings I know (the official self-financed 7" single and a studio demo, but mostly live recordings and the gigs I have attended), especially the mix is noteworthy. I have never heard Kees Bik's voice so clearly. I have heard people say he doesn't have a great voice. I disagree on that. He does have a great voice, but it's not a typical prog rock voice. No, he doesn't have a slightly higher-pitched voice than average without a personal touch. Bik has a voice at maybe average height, but warm, personal, and powerful. He writes all the lyrics, making himself being the best interpreter of them. His feel for drama adds to the experience of hearing this band, live but also on the studio recordings.

About the lyrics - I think they're very orignal. No dragons or rainbows (nothing wrong with that, at times), but real issues, sometimes presented in a funny form. The title of After The Battle might say enough, but "after the battle, nature can lick her wounds" shows a new approach to apocalypse. Human relationships are part of many songs, but putting it in the story of Quasimodo (in The Hunchback), I think is very orignal. Not on this CD, but also great lyrics deal with the vampire in Bloodmaster (from the vampire's point of view: "I've got to eat", "who blames the shepard for eating his sheep"), or the guy who is burying himself into a cellar to survive a nuclear war, but realizing his basic needs in "I certainly could use some female volunteers", since he's "got a whole lot of time to kill"... Since I have a pre-release CDR without a booklet, I don't have the lyrics to all the songs yet, but I am looking forward to reading them all thoroughly (assuming the lyrics are included in the booklet).

Most of the music is drama. No frivolous verses, but creating an ominous air, threatening pompous parts and menacing silences... That's what I like in music - not technically showing off, but getting sucked into the atmopshere. The compositions building up the tension, the contrasts between several parts of the song is why I like this music so much.

For those who do know the band's music, here's some words on how this first full length studio recording compares to the live material. Already during the first listen, I noticed several re-written parts. Some parts you're anticipating a certain break, and it's postponed till after a new section. Some parts have a different sound. Of course, you know most of the songs. But the sound quality and mix is of course better than you have ever heard. I am very glad to see See The Dwarf included here, and even very surprised they recorded Ghost Town, which they haven't played live since the reunion.

It's again a couple of hours later, and that silver thing is still turning in my CD player. Says enough of what I think of it. Now are you going to take the chance and listen to it as well?! If you are into the heavy side of prog, technical and highly complex stuff, don't bother. If you like the melodic, symphonic side of prog, song-based, emotional playing, have a listen soon.

If you have the chance, go and see Plackband on Friday 19th 2002 in Zoetermeer at the CD launch party!
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