The Wounded played a varied tense set with a mix of songs from Monument and their latest album Atlantic. The band played tight, with a good sound, and the voice of Marco van der Velde makes it sound like magic: respect! Ending the set with a wonderful epos of title songs “Atlantic” and “Monument”, they leave the stage to To Elysium.

To Elysium
With full force this evening’s headliner To Elysium opens with the first track - “Stagnant” - of their new album Nightmares Nest. To Elysium’s musicians are focussed and really seem to be determined to get noticed. The very good debut album, Dearest Vile didn’t reach what they hoped for, but the new album seems to offer a chance they want to use.

From the start singer/grunter Rein proves to be a real animal on stage, and although singer Esther has improved her stage performance, this grunter still steals the show. Bassist Andries is smiling from ear to ear as always, and drummer Sjoerd is doing a hell of a job. The keyboard sounds of Marcel are a fine addition to the songs, and guitar tandem Mannes and Ray fire their riffs into the audience. This time both are equipped with a Gibson Les Paul, producing a more generally accepted gothic sound. Despite my personal preference for Les Paul, and the general better fitting sound, I kinda miss the sharp metal sound and tremelo escapades of guitarist Mannes, which definitely gave the band a certain distinction.

With three songs from the new album as openers, the audience seems not (yet) too familiar with Nightmare’s Nest, until “He Rears His Head” from the debut album finally brings some noise from the crowd. From this point on the party is really going and keeps on going like a freight train with songs of the new album (even a guest player with a cello) alternated with songs from the debut album. Two songs are kept as encore: the catchy “Nerve Bending” and a thunderous version of “Meridians Fall”. A well spend evening.

(Review & Pics: Cor Schilstra)