MY SLEEPING KARMA is a name in the metal scene these days. Their decision to release MELA ANANDA in a live version, is a bit dissappointing in my book. My problem with any live album, is that is only really of added value to anyone who was at the show. For others, it often is a slightly lower quality version of the original album. You will always loose some of the finesse in the music, because of accoustical conditions, compared with a studio album. That being said, I have to say this is a great live album. If anything, the live conditions seem to ad some depth to the bands sounds.
Still, MY SLEEPING KARMA is not your run of the mill band, with easy, accessible music. Thier slightly progressive take on modern psychedelic rock will show you worlds that lay somewhere between dream and fantasy. They will impress with this recording of their live show by bringing their multi-layered melodies. And even on a rainy day, they're an almost guarantee to bring back that smile on your face.
For taking the risk of recording live - and succeeding, MELA ANANDA get's a 7,8/10
Wim Op de beeck
MY SLEEPING KARMA - MELA ANANDA LIVE
DOOL is a collective of musician from several bands, who found each other in a common project. HERE NOW, THERE THEN is the result of the collaboration between RYANNE VAN DORST from THE DEVILS BLOOD, NICK POLAK (GOLD), REINIER VERMEULEN (THE NEW MEDIA), JOB VAN DE ZANDE (THE DEVILS BLOOD and MALKOVICH) and MICHA HARING (also THE DEVILS BLOOD). Together, they released the single OWEYNAGAT, and they performed at ROADBURN 2016.
The past month, DOOL have released their debut album HERE NOW, THERE THEN. Like cutting a mellow cake in half, listening to the album will go quite smoothly. Like with the mellow cake, you will feel not much resistance, but the stuff inside will stick. The music sound pretty dark, some exeptions left aside, but with melodical arrangements that help you like the songs, this isn't a dark album. There are plenty of melodical cliffhangers, that will open your eyes to the musical expression of a group of clearly tallented musicians.
Experimenting of this level, earns HERE NOW, THERE THEN a well deserved 7,8/10.
Wim Op de beeck