Neil Diamond fans look away. It’s time to applaud a very different Caroline.| soundsfromthedarkside
3 posts published by Wander Meulemans and Ralph Plug during June 2025| soundsfromthedarkside
Power metal pioneers Helloween are back with their sixteenth album, their first with the Pumpins United line-up featuring Kai Hansen and Michael Kiske back in the band. Was it worth the wait?| soundsfromthedarkside
Helloween are back with their second album since the reunion. Will this be another delicious treat, or will we be tricked this time around? Let’s find out.| soundsfromthedarkside
3 posts published by Ralph Plug and Wander Meulemans during September 2024| soundsfromthedarkside
Under the banner of Excelsior Recordings the Dutch alternative rock scene has been blooming for almost twenty years now. Only on rare occasions Excelsior’s artists achieve some kind of success outs…| soundsfromthedarkside
2 posts published by Ralph Plug and Wander Meulemans during September 2025| soundsfromthedarkside
Has it really been thirty years since Ayreon debuted with The Final Experiment? Are we really that old? Apparently so because this weekend it was celebration time. Once every couple of years, the city of Tilburg transforms into Ayreon city to celebrate the works of progressive metal maestro Arjen Anthony Lucassen (or should that be … … Continue reading →| soundsfromthedarkside
The first fungus of the autumnal season arrived in the form of the sophomore record of A Fungus.| soundsfromthedarkside
Just so you know, Church of the Sea’s Eva is a serious contender for one of my favourite albums of the year. Does it demand a review then? You bet. Last time I bored you to bits with the story about my 2025 playlist so I’ll keep it short and simple now. I collect everything … Continue reading →| soundsfromthedarkside
Welsh black metallers Ofnus have released their second album all the way back in February, so it’s about time we gave it a well-deserved listen.| soundsfromthedarkside
English retro rockers Wytch Hazel strike again with their third and perhaps best album to date. We investigated.| soundsfromthedarkside
Iron Maiden is now fifty years old and that requires celebrating. The party was had in Arnhem and we were invited. Or at least, bought tickets for it. There was no cake.| soundsfromthedarkside
It’s no surprise I have a bee in my bonnet about the latest Hedvig Mollestad Trio record. Hedvig Mollestad Thomassen, Ellen Brekken and Ivar Loe Bjørnstad have crossed their self made bridge between hard rock’s visceral energy and jazz’s harmonic sophistication again and again. Today it’s safe to say that the trio’s music is an … Continue reading →| soundsfromthedarkside
And so Michael goes. No more. Done. Away and gone. For now… After The Beggar legions of Michael Gira admirers were left in doubt. On that record, he claimed he was done, ready to walk away. Gira however made this sort of claim several times in the past 40 years, only to reincarnate in a … Continue reading →| soundsfromthedarkside
Summer solstice is behind us and that means it’s time to take a look at the albums that have shaped the sound of the year so far.| soundsfromthedarkside
Arrr! Since we talk a lot about pirates over here, we thought it would be nice to cough up something that can really make you seasick while sitting in a lazy chair. Bear with us if you dare.| soundsfromthedarkside
Dutch symphonic metal masters Epica have returned for their tenth platter of typical uplifting, orchestral metal and we’re ready for it. It’s been four years since Omega, and in years since that we’ve been treated to the fantastic Omega Alive, recorded live during ye olde Covid days, and the Symphonic Synergy concerts with orchestra and … Continue reading →| soundsfromthedarkside
Caroline’s sophomore is here and we can’t stop listening.| soundsfromthedarkside