Selected by CD-Palace as one of the best unsigned bands (the only one from Europe), this is Taste Of Insanity (TOI). In spite of this selection the band is still underrated in The Netherlands. Founded in 1996 and inspired by bands like Vision Of Disorder, Machine Head and Meshuggah, TOI recorded their first demo in 1999. After joining competitions such as De Grote Prijs van Nederland and Aardschok’s Metal Bash, the band received a lot of attention. Unfortunately without signing a lucrative record deal. The album Anima is recorded in 2001 by Daan van der Elsken and is released by the band itself. Not held back by this TOI did all the promotion themselves and got some well deserved respect from both the scene as well as the media.

Not strange if you listen to Anima. Combine the energy of V.O.D’s debut with Meshuggah’s staccato drums and guitar riffs and a singer who sounds a bit like Layne Staley singing, grunting and screaming and you’ll have a nice idea of what TOI is capable of. The songs are well structured (no simple verse - chorus - verse - chorus-structure) and have enough variation to grab your attention. The first couple of songs (“Slave” and “Evil Element”) are fantastic. The rest of Anima continues in the same direction and therefore tones down a bit sometimes though. That’s why I rate this album with an 8.5 instead of a 9. If TOI are able to continue the quality in song writing we’ll definitely have something to look forward to!