Stream of Passion

Yesterdaynight was a good night. Last week I stumbled upon a "new" (at least for me) band called Stream of Passion. A project of Arjen Lucassen who is the mastermind behind Aeryon; an experimental metal project in which he collaborates with people like Bruce Dickinson, James Labrie to name but a few. Stream of Passion is more gothic than Aeryon and sounds like a less commercial version of Within Temptation.

So last night I went with Mark to 'Het Paard' in The Hague to check them out. These people seriously rock and I was much impressed. They played wellknown Aeryon stuff and lots of the Stream of Passion album 'Embrace the Storm'. I was amazed by Marcela Bovio who can produce an astonishing volume and range for such small woman. Oh and did I mention that she is a very beautiful Mexican? ;) Anyways, together with her sister Diana (background vocals) they provide a haunting experience featuring live on-stage violin solos combined with heavy guitar riffs. Arjen Lucassen is of course briliant on guitar but I was also very much impressed by the swedish Lori Linstruth. Having Arjen around is great for any band but Linstruth is very capable of doing lead guitars herself, no problems there. So with a setup of two girls on vocals, two lead guitars, a base guitar, piano and drums everything is set to rock. Which they did and the crowd with them. Biggest plus with small bands is the fact that I stood only two meters from stage since there were only a hundred or so people :) A place the average Robbie Williams (who played the same night but the choice really was't that hard) fan would have killed for. My sister in-law would call it 'getting within Robbie's spitting distance'... I prefered Stream of Passion, with no spitting and lots of headbanging.

So, if they play anywhere near you simply go and have a look. If you like Within Temptation, The Gathering or Nightwish you won't be disappointed. For Aeryon fans it is mandatory since he doesn't do many life performances ;)