21 oct
Date: OCT 21 2021
BELGIAN LIVE DATES
We're happy to announce some more upcoming dates for 2021 and 2022! Rest assured, there are many more to come which we can't announce yet, but here are already a few.....
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Empires in the Sun
by Thorium
21 oct
We're happy to announce some more upcoming dates for 2021 and 2022! Rest assured, there are many more to come which we can't announce yet, but here are already a few.....
Read more view less
19 aug
In the wake of our exquisite return to the stage after COVID19 at Alcatraz Metal Festival 2021 last weekend...
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11 jun
Are you ready???? We're extremely stoked to start our touring campaign for the promotion of "Empires in the Sun" on this soil that means so much to us!...
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02 apr
Watch our brand new video single for 'EXQUISITE', the blistering opening track of our new album 'Empires in the Sun'...
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05 mar
Happy release day, everyone!! That's right; TODAY finally sees the release of our brand, sparkling new album 'EMPIRES IN THE SUN'...
Read more view lessAbout the band
Band photos © Hans van Hoof, 2020
Given great incentive by their work together in Belgium’s legendary Heavy Metal band Ostrogoth, axemen Dario Frodo, Stripe and Tom Tee found themselves overwhelmed by massive amounts of inspiration for new material, much of which proved to lie too much outside the boundaries of what they could rightly realize with Ostrogoth. Therefore, they decided to found a brand new formation into which to channel all these new ideas. With the addition of classically trained batterist Louis Van der Linden to the fold, the search was open for a powerful vocalist with a wide range and striking stage presence, which they found in seasoned Dutch singer David Marcelis (Lord Volture, Black Knight).
With the line-up complete, the band put the finishing touches on their self-titled debut album, which was released on October 5th 2018. Touring and gigging in promotion for the new record commenced immediately, and saw the band playing dozens of dates across Germany, Spain, Great Britain, Holland and Belgium, where they shared the stage with acts such as Geoff Tate’s Operation Mindcrime, Ross The Boss, Toxik, The Three Tremors, Heir Apparent, Q5, and many more.
Not content to rest on their laurels, and eager to prove themselves a band that could keep on producing quality material quickly and efficiently, Thorium completed work on their sophomore album Empires In The Sun within one year of their debut release. Working together once again with seasoned mixer Simone Mularoni (DGM, Michael Romeo, Geoff Tate, Ray Alder,...), the band delivers some of their most ambitious material yet, employing guest vocals by acclaimed artists such as Arjen A. Lucassen (Ayreon) and Joe Van Audenhove (Evil Invaders), as well as British actor and narrator Norman Eshley (Blind Guardian) to further broaden their sound. ‘Empires In The Sun’ is released on March 5 th 2021.
Influenced by and incorporating elements of all the classic styles of Metal from the past four decades, such as NWOBHM, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Speed Metal, Bay Area Thrash and of course classic Heavy Metal, Thorium’s members set themselves no boundaries and seek to deliver music that is heavy, melodic, virtuosic, catchy and conceptual.
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David Marcelis - Vocals |
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Gear: Sennheiser wireless microphone, Shure in-ear monitors, t-bone wireless system Discography: Black Knight - Road to Victory (2020) Black Knight - Tales From the Darkside (remaster, 2020) Conquestador - Promo May 2005 (demo, 2005) Lord Volture - Will to Power (2014) Lord Volture - Never Cry Wolf (2011) Lord Volture - Beast of Thunder (2010) Purgatory - The Green Angel (live, 2004) Purgatory - Loud Enough for a Deaf Man to Hear (live, 2002) Retaliate - Forgotten Tales (demo, 2005) Thorium - Empires in the Sun (2021) Thorium - Thorium (2018) Guest appearances: Endeavour - Future of a Kind (single, 2021) Will Schut - Begin de Dag met een Dansje (single, 2012) Winter's Edge - The Deceivers (EP, 2015) ZiX - Tides of the Final War (2016) |
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Tom Tee - Guitars |
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Former/Other bands: Entering Polaris In Motion 23 Acez Neo Prophet Quantum Fantay Offworld ex-Ostrogoth Favourite artists: Iron Maiden, Rush, Blind Guardian, Symphony X, Helloween, Gamma Ray, Dream Theater, Rage, Ayreon, Kamelot, Metallica (of old), Virgin Steele, Therion, Iced Earth Gear: Ibanez ‘S’ guitars, ENGL Victor Smolski head, Orange and Mesa/Boogie cabinets, Morgan and Eastman acoustic guitars, TC Electronics FX pedals, Dunlop Jazz III picks, d’Addario strings, Planet Waves cables, Shure and Line 6 wireless systems |
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Special interests: Literature, history, Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, classic PC gaming Discography: 23 Acez – Embracing the Madness (2018) 23 Acez – Redemption Waves (2015) 23 Acez – Crossroads (2012) Entering Polaris – Godseed (2018) Collieman – The Same Blood (2011) Gabriel Scar – Oceans of Sound (2014) In Motion – Thriving Force (2018) Mighty Sunscape – Road to Paradise (2009) Neo Prophet – T.I.M.E. (2015) Offworld – Some Circles Are Square (2016) Onesty – Collected Singles (2010) Quantum Fantay – Tessellation of Euclidean Space (2017) Quantum Fantay – Dancing in Limbo (2015) Rohan Lee – Crush the Rock (2012) Thorium - Empires in the Sun (2021) Thorium - Thorium (2018) |
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Dario Frodo - Guitars |
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Former/Other bands: ex-Outbreak ex-Ghiribzzi ex-Quantum Fantay ex-Gemini Season ex-Something to Say ex-Ostrogoth Favourite artists: Toto, Fates Warning, Chicago, Journey, Level 42, Billy Joel, Testament, Iron Maiden, Foreigner, Heathen, Death Angel, Dream Theater, Queensrÿche, Def Leppard, Savatage, Armored Saint Special interests: Food, music, travelling Gear: Skervesen guitars, Kemper Amps, Mesa Boogie cabinets |
Discography: 23 Acez - Crossroads 23 Acez - Redemption Waves Gemini Season - Lost Ghiribizzi - Pant'ha Rei Ghiribizzi - Zep Tepi Outbreak - The First Hatch Outbreak - Live at 't Kelderke Ostrogoth - Last Tribe Standing Quantum Fantay - Agapanthusterra Quantum Fantay - Kaleidothrope Quantum Fantay - From Herzberg.... Quantum Fantay - Bridges of Kukeriku Quantum Fantay - Bridges of the Old Fishing Mine Quantum Fantay - Terragaia Thorium - Empires in the Sun (2021) Thorium - Thorium (2018) |
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Stripe - Bass |
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Former/Other bands: WASB (2012- present) ex-Ostrogoth ex-Kisstory ex-Gemini Season ex-Outbreak ex-Mr E Favourite artists: WASP, Iron Maiden, Kiss, Halestorm, Saxon, Twisted Sister, Accept, Poison, Skid Row, Stratovarius, Queensrÿche, Dio, Vixen, Pink, Ratt, Mötley Crue, Dokken, Judas Priest |
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Special interests: Moto GP, WK Superbike, snooker, airbrush, painting, leather crafting, collecting action figures Gear: B.C. Rich, Rotosound flatwound, Line 6 wireless, LD wireless in ear, custom leather straps MK, Ashdown 4x10, Markbass little Mark Tube Discography: Ostrogoth - Last Tribe Standing (2015) Thorium - Empires in the Sun (2021) Thorium - Thorium (2018) |
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Louis Van der Linden - Drums |
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Former/Other bands: Vermilion 23 Acez Humanga Danga Langzoght ex-Sushi Invert ex-Traffic Jam ex-Shoot To Thrill ex-Heads Up High ex-Lucid Favourite artists: Meshuggah, Tool, Slipknot, Periphery, Night Verses, TesseracT, Tremonti, Animals as Leaders, Sky Harbor, A Perfect Circle, Gojira, Monuments, Ghost |
Special interests: Dogs, outdoor sports, books and movies, science Gear: Meinl Cymbals, Promark drumsticks, Evans drumheads, Tama drumthrone, DW9000 double pedal, Shure SE315 inears, Drumcraft serie 8 drumkit and Sonor Prolite snaredrum Discography: 23 Acez – Embracing the Madness (2018) Thorium - Empires in the Sun (2021) Thorium - Thorium (2018) |
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Upcoming & Past
08 Jan'22
POSTPONED - The Crossover Music Pub New date to be announced soon
city Ghent (BE)
12 Feb'22
POSTPONED - 't Sas New date to be announced soon! w/ Eternal Breath, WildHeart, Shocker, +1 TBC
city Harelbeke (BE)
05 Mar'22
De Spiraal w/ WildHeart, Eternal Breath, +1 TBC
city Geraardsbergen (BE)
17 Apr'22
Kid's Rhythm 'n' Blues Kaffee Special guests to be announced
city Antwerp (BE)
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13.08 - Alcatraz Festival, Kortrijk (BE) 04.09 - Zik-Zak, Ittre (BE) 10.09 - De Bosuil, Weert (NL) 11.09 - De Duycker, Hoofddorp (NL) 18.09 - Metal Front, Coevorden (NL) 25.09 - Rondpunt 26, Genk (BE) 16.10 - Metal Front, Coevorden (NL) 03.12 - Ragnarok Live Club, Opitter (BE) 17.12 - Kid's Rhythm 'n' Blues Kaffee, Antwerp (BE) 2020 26.04 - Elpee Fest, Deinze (BE) 09.05 - De Verlichte Geest, Roeselare (BE) |
19.01 - Ragnarok, Opitter (BE) 02.03 - The Crossover, Ghent (BE) 16.03 - FullMetal Osthessen, Niederjossa (DE) 13.04 - Na Vinici, Blatná (CZ) 04.05 - Kraken Metal Fest, Ittre (BE) 10.05 - 't Sas, Harelbeke (BE) 28.07 - Little Devil, Tilburg (NL) 03.08 - Alcatraz Pre-Party, Gentbrugge (BE) 16.08 - Zeeltje Rock, Deest (NL) 18.08 - Willemeen, Arnhem (NL) 30.09 - Frietrock, Oud-Turnhout (BE) 31.09 - Den Fest V, Hatfield (GB) 01.09 - Bar 42, Worthing (GB) |
19.10 - Meesterlijk Metaal XXX, Almere (NL) 25.10 - A Night Of Heavy Metal, Kreenheinstetten (DE) 26.10 - Heaven's Door Revival, Meulebeke (BE) 02.11 - Metal Against Child Cancer, Deerlijk (BE) 21.11 - The King Billy, Northampton (GB) 22.11 - The Carlisle, Hastings (GB) 23.11 - Scruffy Murphy's, Birmingham (GB) 24.11 - Lazarus, Leiden (NL) 26.11 - Elfer Club, Frankfurt (DE) 27.11 - Turock, Essen (DE) 28.11 - Hedon, Zwolle (NL) 29.11 - Negasonic, Aalst (BE) 30.11 - Dynamo, Eindhoven (NL) |
07.04 - A Tribute To Wizz, Lotenhulle (BE) 20.05 - Rockfest 28, Hamme (BE) 31.08 - Little Devil, Tilburg (NL) 05.10 - Elpee, Deinze (BE) 06.10 - The Jack, Eindhoven (NL) 09.10 - Bambi Galore, Hamburg (DE) 02.11 - Spectrum, Murcia (ES) 03.11 - Silikona, Madrid (ES) 04.11 - La Casa De Las Musas, Burgos (ES) 05.11 - Mendigo, Barakaldo (ES) 09.11 - Alexander The Great, Mainz (DE) 10.11 - Soundcheck One Festival, Waldbronn (DE) 17.11 - Backstage, Nijmegen (NL) 15.12 - Pluto Metal Fest, Oosterzele (BE) 19.12 - De Cacaofabriek, Helmond (NL) |
About the MUSIC
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Empires in the Sun #1 Dreams of Empire (a Pastorale) (music: Tom Tee) #2 Exquisite (music: Dario Frodo / lyrics: Dario Frodo & Tom Tee) #3 Powder and Arms II (music & lyrics: Tom Tee) #4 Where Do We Go (music & lyrics: Tom Tee) #5 More Than Meets the Eye (music: Dario Frodo & Tom Tee / lyrics: Dario Frodo) #6 Empires in the Sun (music: Stripe & Tom Tee / lyrics: Tom Tee) #7 The Old Generation (music & lyrics: Tom Tee) #8 Winterfall (music: Dario Frodo / lyrics: Tom Tee) #9 Itchin' and Achin' (Dead-Eyed Society) (music & lyrics: Dario Frodo) #10 1302 - The Minstrel Part 1 (music & lyrics: Tom Tee) #11 1302 - The Golden Shadow (music & lyrics: Tom Tee) #12 1302 - The Minstrel Part 2 (music & lyrics: Tom Tee) |
Year: 2021 Label: Freya Records Line-up: David Marcelis: lead vocals Tom Tee: electric, acoustic and classical guitars, backing vocals Dario Frodo: guitars, backing vocals Kurk “Stripe” Lawless: bass guitar, backing vocals Louis Van der Linden: drums & percussion Guest appearances: Norman Eshley: narration Arjen Anthony Lucassen: lead vocals Joe Van Audenhove: lead vocals Anneleen Olbrechts: lead & backing vocals Benny 'Zors' Willaert: lead & backing vocals Produced by Tom Tee Mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni @ Domination Studio, San Marino Drums and vocals recorded @ Pete Mush’s Mushroomland Studio, Lokeren Artwork painted by Velio Josto |
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Thorium #1 March of the Eastern Tribe (music: Dario Frodo) #2 Ostrogoth (music & lyrics: Dario Frodo) #3 Court of Blood (music: Dario Frodo / lyrics: Tom Tee) #4 Godspeed (music & lyrics: Tom Tee) #5 Icons Fall (music: Dario Frodo & Stripe / lyrics: Dario Frodo) #6 Powder and Arms (music & lyrics: Tom Tee) #7 All Manner of Light (music: Stripe / lyrics: Tom Tee & Stripe) #8 Return to the Clouds (music & lyrics: Tom Tee) #9 Four by Number, Four by Fate (music: Tom Tee & Dario Frodo / lyrics: Tom Tee) |
Year: 2018 Label: Empire Records (physical) / Rock 'N' Growl Records (digital) Line-up: David Marcelis: lead vocals Tom Tee: electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals Dario Frodo: electric guitars, backing vocals Kurk “Stripe” Lawless: bass guitars, backing vocals Louis Van der Linden: drums Guest appearances: Anneleen Olbrechts: backing vocals Produced by Tom Tee and Pete Mush Mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni @ Domination Studio, San Marino Drums and vocals recorded @ Pete Mush’s Mushroomland Studio, Lokeren Artwork by Sara Decat |
What the CRITICS say
EMPIRES IN THE SUN ALBUM REVIEWS
"A highlight in the Belgian classic metal history." (8.5/10) - Rock Tribune
"That's a fat 9 points with an upward tendency, so you can look forward to further great deeds from THORIUM." (9/10) - Obliveon
"Fans looking for a more sophisticated Metal masterpiece should get Empires In The Sun." (96/100) - Metal to Infinity
"Empires In The Sun has become an epic metal album that pushes narrow genre boundaries aside with a cold smile and brings a healthy amount of homogeneity in its variety. No question: THORIUM have come to stay." (4.0/5.0) - Stormbringer
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Aardschok | 80/100 |
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Hell Spawn | 91/100 |
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Metalitalia.com | 7.5/10 |
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Rock It | 7.5/10 |
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Belgian Metal Shredder | 9/10 |
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Keys and Chords | 3/5 |
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Metalnews.fr | 80/100 |
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Rockline | 8.5/10 |
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Concert Monkey | -/- |
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Loud and Proud | 76/100 |
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Metal to Infinity | 96/100 |
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Rock Tribune | 8.5/10 |
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Darkscene | 9/10 |
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Luminous Dash | -/- |
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Musika | 90/100 |
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Templores | -/- |
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Deaf Forever | 6.5/10 |
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Metal Chaos | -/- |
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My Revelations | 11/15 |
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The Median Man | 10/10 |
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DPRP | 7/10 |
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Metal.de | 8/10 |
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Neckbreaker | 8/10 |
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Snoozecontrol | -/- |
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Earshot | 6.5/7 |
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Metal-Experience | 85/100 |
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Obliveon | 9/10 |
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Stormbringer | 4.0/5.0 |
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eR eM | 7/7 |
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Metal Factory | 9.0/10 |
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Power Metal Warrior | 10/10 |
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Streetclip | 8.25/10 |
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Greekrebels.gr | 85/100 |
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Metalfans.be | 80/100 |
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Powerplay | 9/10 |
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Via Nocturna | 91/100 |
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Hardline | 7.5/10 |
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Metal Forces | 5/10 |
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Rock-E-Zine | 9/10 |
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White Room Reviews | -/- |
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Hellbiter Metal Zone | -/- |
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Metal Hammer | 4.5/7 |
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Rock Hard | 8.5/10 |
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Wings of Death | -/- |
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Hell Diest | -/- |
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Metal Integral | 19/20 |
THORIUM I ALBUM REVIEWS
"If you yearn for classy, well-crafted melodic heavy metal songs with a penchant for memorability, excellent musicianship and world-class vocals, then Thorium cries out for your immediate investigation. Thorium are the real deal." (9/10) - True Metal Lives"All together it makes Thorium’s debut a fantastic one, this is a highlight in the history of Belgian Heavy Metal!" (92/100) - Metal To Infinity
"I love an album with such vibrant energy. If you chance to pick apart the album as I am always inclined to do, each musician in and of themselves brandish absolute potent talent." - Boston Rock Radio
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Aardschok | 78/100 |
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Hell Spawn | 90/100 |
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Metal Temple | 8/10 |
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Rock Tribune | 8.5/10 |
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Battle Helm | 5/5 |
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Legacy | 12/15 |
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Metal to Infinity | 92/100 |
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RockXXL | 8/10 |
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Belgian Metal Shredder | 90/100 |
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Lords of Metal | 88/100 |
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Music in Belgium | 4.5/5 |
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Snoozecontrol | -/- |
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Boston Rock Radio | -/- |
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Loud and Proud | 70/100 |
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Musiczine | 8/10 |
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Soil Chronicles | 7.5/10 |
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BURRN! | 78/100 |
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Luminous Dash | -/- |
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Musika | 90/100 |
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The Median Man | -/- |
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Darkscene | 8.5/10 |
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Mega-Metal.de | 7.5/10 |
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My Revelations | 11/15 |
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True Metal Lives | 9/10 |
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Distorted Sound | 7/10 |
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Metal Addicts | -/- |
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Oblivion | 8.5/10 |
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Valkyrian Music | 3.5/5 |
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FFM-Rock | 8.5/10 |
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Metal Express Radio | -/- |
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Powermetal.de | 8.5/10 |
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White Room | -/- |
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Fireworks Magazine | -/- |
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Metal Hammer | 5/7 |
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Powerplay | 6/7 |
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Wings of Death | -/- |
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GRIMM | 9/10 |
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Metalhead.it | 7.5/10 |
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Rock Hard Italy | 7/10 |
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Zware Metalen | 7.5/10 |
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Headbangers Lifestyle | -/- |
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Metal-Nose | 8.5/10 |
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RockMuZine | 85/100 |
LIVE REVIEWS
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Amped-Up | 13.08.2021 - Alcatraz Festival, Kortrijk (BE) | |
Snoozecontrol | 04.05.2019 - Kraken Metal Fest, Ittre (BE) | |||||
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Zware Metalen | 13.08.2021 - Alcatraz Festival, Kortrijk (BE) | |
Streepclip | 16.03.2019 - FullMetal Osthessen, Niederjossa (DE) | |||||
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Musika | 13.08.2021 - Alcatraz Festival, Kortrijk (BE) | |
Musika | 15.12.2018 - Pluto Metal Fest, Oosterzele (BE) | |||||
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Never Mind the Hype | 30.11.2019 - Dynamo, Eindhoven (NL) | |
Belgian Metal Shredder | 15.12.2018 - Pluto Metal Fest, Oosterzele (BE) | |||||
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RockMuzine | 30.11.2019 - Dynamo, Eindhoven (NL) | |
Musiczine | 15.12.2018 - Pluto Metal Fest, Oosterzele (BE) | |||||
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MetalInside | 26.11.2019 - Elfer Club, Frankfurt (DE) | |
Made in Metal | 05.11.2018 - Mendigo, Barakaldo (ES) | |||||
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Erikprogtricolor | 24.11.2019 - Lazarus, Leiden (NL) | |
Musika | 05.10.2018 - Elpee, Deinze (BE) | |||||
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Musika | 30.09.2019 - Frietrock, Oud-Turnhout (BE) | |
Erikprogtricolor | 31.08.2018 - Little Devil, Tilburg (NL) | |||||
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Musika | 10.05.2019 - 't Sas, Harelbeke (BE) | |
Rockportaal.nl | 20.05.2018 - Rockfest 28, Hamme (BE) | |||||
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Music in Belgium | 04.05.2019 - Kraken Metal Fest, Ittre (BE) | |
Rock Tribune | 07.04.2018 - A Tribute To Wizz, Lotenhulle (BE) | |||||
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Musika | 04.05.2019 - Kraken Metal Fest, Ittre (BE) |
INTERVIEWS
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Via Nocturna | May 2021 | |
Musiczine | January 2019 | |||||
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The Median Man | May 2021 | |
Haschi's Metal Corner | December 2018 | |||||
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Hell Spawn | April 2021 | |
Metal to Infinity | November 2018 | |||||
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Musiczine | April 2021 | |
Jan Vervaeke video interview | November 2018 | |||||
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Rock Tribune #198 | March 2021 | |
Metal.Inside | November 2018 | |||||
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Metal to Infinity | March 2021 | |
Lords of Metal | November 2018 | |||||
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Rock Tribune | March 2021 | |
Rock Tribune #178 | October 2018 | |||||
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Zware Metalen | May 2020 | |
Rock Tribune #168 | September 2017 |