\m/ 80's metal \m/

Review "Demo 1999"

Raise your hand if you still remember the Dutch metal band called BLACK OUT from Zwolle, who released an album called "Evil Game" in 1984. A lot of our readers might recall this name. Well I've got some good news for you if you liked this band in those days. They are back together again releasing a twelve track CD with old unreleased demo stuff. The material is not recent, but if I'm informed right we can also expect some new songs in the (near) future. Yes the reunion fever has also the Dutch bands in its power. And that's okay with me, 'cause Holland had some very good metal bands in the past. The twelve songs on this CD sound like early VAN HALEN stuff, let's call it the David Lee Roth period. So if you like that sound, you can't go wrong. I also hear a bit of BODINE, VANDENBERG and HIGHWAY(cult Dutch band from Breda) back in some riffs or singing style (f.e. in "Fighting Your Own Way"). I will not say that every song is a potential hit, but songs like opener "Funny Farm" or "Sexy Sadie" are very good solid melodic metal. BLACK OUT now consists of Mannes van Oosten (guitar), Alfred Kers (bass), Bas van Sloten (vocals) and Jan Boxem (drums). Sometimes the songs end up very abruptly ("Red Light District" and "Saturday") but this is not really a problem. My personal faves of this CD were opener "Funny Farm", "Waterfront" and "Blackout". If they would record this last mentioned track on their upcoming new CD, they would make themselves immortal. What a killer track!!! CD closer "Build Your Love" is the odd one out here. Despite the nice guitar solo, it sounds too much like an ordinary disco track to me. Putting this all together I come to the conclusion that this CD is great if you like all the bands mentioned above. In the meantime, the band already played their reunion gig and they seem to be working on a new CD. Welcome back to the scene guys.! This forty minutes CD is printed as a limited edition only and you can purchase it by sending Fl 25,- (incl P&P) to Mannes van Oosten, Bergweg 9, 8015 PC Zwolle, The Netherlands. I would recommend to do this through registered mail only!!! You can also buy a BLACK OUT t-shirt at this address if you send another Fl 25,-. You can also e-mail BLACK OUT at Wilmamannes@noknok.nl. (Toine van Poorten)
http://www.truemetalfan.org/pit7.htm