Nonetheless Stone Of Egypt at least get the point across that they`re a band who definitely carve their own path in the dense stoner jungle. As a basic trio (drums-bass-guitar) they leave plenty of room for the music to really breath and create a spacious atmosphere. And to create extra emotional depth and darkness they bring in Joy Division and related music into their own groovy rock surroundings. At the same time Stone In Egypt still rock like a gravel truck.

Sounds a bit like Ohio`s beer drinking, riff-o-ram redneck trio Karma To Burn, doesn`t it? Yea, that`s right. The difference is that Stone in Egypt has vocals and work with the subtlety of a `shoegazer` band, instead of the bricklayer mentality that shines through in Karma To Burn`s instrumentals. All they need now is a decent sound from the mixing board.

COWBOYS & ALIENS are a genuine Kyuss clone, right down to the John Garcia type vocals. A typical case of `take it or leave it`. We opt for the latter choice after hearing two totally unoriginal songs by a band who may look like they`re `digging their groove` and `kicking ass all the way`, but in reality merely revel in their `aren`t we the rockstar` attitude whilst trying to get a fake vibe of intensity across to their audience.

The repeated `Jesus Christ pose` of their singer, sporting a pair of white `carpenter model` jeans which has been labelled a utterly uncool since the early-eighties, is the proverbial `final straw`. Exit.

ASTROSONIC is on a roll. The band is rapidly making a name for themselves in the Dutch stoner scene. From the early days on they`ve been trying hard to doing their own thing, and it was only a matter of time before all the separate pieces of the puzzle would form a whole.

Their songs aren`t true originals yet, and, due to a surplus of enthusiasm, they sometimes carry things a little too far when playing. They more than once overdo it on the effects & samples, and occasionally play a lost note or two. But it`s all minor details that no doubt will soon be sorted out. It`s even part of their appeal. It makes Astrosonic all human, although the whole idea of their music is to escape into uncharted parts of the audiogalaxy.

That brings us to one thing that makes Astrosonic truly unique: their singer Fred. He`s introvert, shy and minimalistic. Depending from which direction the wind blows, his hair is standing upward left or right.

Fred quite simply looks like he`s quantum-leaped into a distant dimension of his own. But no matter what, standing on stage glued to the microphone, just being himself, singing his songs staring at the ceiling or with eyes closed, the man has a natural stage presence. There`s no denying it. Fred`s got charisma, he`s got charm and one hell of a singing voice. And those are qualities that are not only rare, but, no matter how often you`ve seen it, are quite simply a delight to watch.

Take one look at CANDYBAR PLANET and you just knów this is an experienced band. A band that feels right at home on stage and is completely at ease with the sturdy mix of stoner, sludge and rock & roll they play. Indeed they are. Relaxed but focused, Candybar Planet smoke the rest of the bands, simply by `playing their songs`. It is a sight both calming and exciting to see the "Eindhoven Rock City" trio play, obeying to the rudimentary principle of rock: Cut out the bullshit, and keep things simple.

Whether they are slow & groovy (slightly hailing early seventies grooverockers Sir Lord Baltimore and Grand Funk) or fast & mean (giving a shout out to the straight rocking attitude of the likes of MC 5, The Stooges and Motörhead), their songs are strong, fresh & to the point. It`s got `drive`. It`s got `soul`. It`s got `attitude`. And it`s got `identity`. From the rhythms, the riffs and the pumping, stomping basslines, right down to the flaming guitar solo`s and the rough edged voice.

Candybar Planet have forged, shaped and fined tuned their music right up to the point where it`s become nothing less than `a style of their own`. Hell, they even manage to turn dutch vocalist Marco Borsato`s top 40 hit "Binnen" into a grooveriding rockmachine. If that doesn`t convince you of their talent and capacities… you`d better take a hike brother.

(Review: Maarten Verbaarschot
Pics: Marcia Gransbergen)