Freak Out! - ?A Flaming Heart Inside


Year of Release: 2003
Label: Independent
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 32:25:00

Some time ago I went to see Casual Silence, who played in a (too) small café in a small town in The Netherlands and one other band played there before them. This band had its flaws, but played with so much enthusiasm and power, I did get interested. Honestly said, the café was too small for the performance they delivered, so most likely in a larger venue, they might come over better. This band was called Freak Out! And during their show, I found the name aptly chosen.

Freak Out! was formed by Bart Rijpers (bass) and Bauke H?skens (drums), when they left the symphonic rock band The Anderson Council in 1997. They teamed up with singer/guitarist Frank Savelkoul and guitarist/keyboardist Jean-Marc van Herck. Initially they just played covers, from Metallica to Iron Maiden to Pink Floyd, but in 2001 they start to work on their own material. In August 2003 they released their debut EP ... A Flaming Heart Inside and played extensively in the region. So, up til now, they are a local band.

What I liked about them was their drive, their enthusiasm and that is also found on the album. In just four songs, they manage to show what they can: a versatile drummer, two amazing guitarists, who play great harmonies, but also excellent solos and pounding bass. The sound is Freak Out!, but with hints of Faith No More and Rage Against The Machine (opener "Aerolsolvin") and inspired by Dream Theater and Rush. Vocals are OK, but at times Savelkoul goes over the top and thus looses impact. On the other hand, he sings in various ways, showing he is a versatile singer, which is good. Closing track "Welcome to Hell," is my favorite song on the EP, and maybe the best one, with a spacey, filmish intro and Floydian guitars. An up-tempo prog song, with nice changes and synth parts.

Productionwise A Flaming Heart Inside sounds not good. This really needs attention and work. But if they can lift that to a higher level, I think they have a chance to rise above the status of a local band, as they do have the skill and talent to compose strong songs. So give this band your support and help them to get to the next level and be surprised by the freakstyle rock of Freak Out!

[This review originally appeared August 2004 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
Aerosolvin' / Black Magic Overdose / La Nube / Welcome to Hell

Musicians:
Bart Rijpers - bass
Bauke Hüskens - drums
Frank Savelkoul - vocals, guitars
Jean-Marc Van Herck - guitars, keyboards

Discography:
untitled demo (2001)
Demolistica (video cd-rom demo) (2002)
...A Flaming Heart Inside (ep) (2003)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin NL

Added: November 27th 2004
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.freakoutrock.nl
Hits: 2245
Language: english

  

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