A Dutch progressive rockband releasing a full CD … It’s an occurrence we envy in Belgium, but perhaps things may change very soon because a Belgian jewel is coming up… but that’s another story.

I must admit that Plackband succeeded in releasing a good CD !  This disc will be welcomed by melodic-symfo-music-enthusiasts, people that like lots of emotions and feelings in both music and song. 

It’s often written that Plackband is the “Dutch Genesis of The Hague” and that’s not entirely incorrect, especially when you listen to their chosen guitar- and keyboard sounds.  However, don’t expect a voice similar to Peter Gabriël’s. Far from it.  Kees Bik has an obstinate voice in which you can feel the drama, but his timbre is quite different.  And different doesn’t mean inferior.

From the opening track “The Battle” you’ll get the “Genesis from the 70’s” feeling with the acoustic guitar plucking.  The title track “After the battle” is good for 11 minutes of enjoyable listening.  It’s a chain of rhythms and you’ll find out that the drummer Tom van der Meulen is not averse to bars in 9/8 or 5/4.  Again, the beautiful harmonies are completed with delightful synthesiser sounds.

“See the dwarf” is a song, according to connoisseurs and after a bit of research, written some 20 years ago.  This song had to be included into this album and I’m not quite sure, but if it had been recorded 20 years ago, it would have been really refreshing. 

 

Next track “Sleeping warriors” is short and instrumental and has some horses trotting in the background. 

“End of the line” starts mysteriously and Kees’ voice comes on top.   Again there are always alternating and well balanced sounds that give the whole an oriental flavour. A short, dramatic synth solo emphasises the end of the song. 

 

“Death and lost glory” is a short and beautiful symphonic piece of music, let’s say a breathing space.  “Ghost town” sounds more like the music of traditional neo-prog bands, with greasy mellotron and profound bass pedal tones.  These are the moments every prog-lover looks for.  I’m probably repeating myself but, listening to the album for X times now, it becomes better and better.  There’s a whole lot of drama supported by perfect musical harmonies in fat layers of keyboard play.  On top of that you’ll get the class guitarist Ronald Brautigam who opens up his box of tricks constantly.

 

“Sign of life” is nice and instrumental in the beginning but, in my opinion, the first 3 minutes could have been more energetic, more powerful.  After that intro, everything opens up again with beautiful guitar and flute solos, good supporting bass and drums, nice vocals and, in the refrains, very nice harmonies sung by … ?  I’m sorry, but i couldn’t find it in the CD sleeve.  A carefully edited sleeve with nice pictures of a live-gig somewhere.

For a moment “There come the warlords” gives you the idea that you’ve heard the main theme somewhere before in the album.  I won’t tell you where, you’ll have to find it yourself.  A rousing piece of instrumental music, without complexes, it just sounds beautiful and it’s a perfect transition to their last track “Remember forever”.

 

I have written it several times, but my conclusion is that “Plackband” has an excellent musical choice and they appeal to me very much.  Perhaps a little production flaw here and there, but without any question a CD, which belongs in every prog-collection.  I’m already looking out for their next album.  I hope it won’t take them another 20 years!!!

 

Reviewed by : William “Will” Beckers

Translation : Walter ‘HaHa” Haentjens

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Last updated: 03 september 2003 .
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