Year : 2023 (No Dust Records Edition)
Style : Melodic Hard Rock
Country : Netherlands
Audio : 320 kbps + scans
Size : 155 mb
Bio:
Hard Rock band from the Netherlands, formed in 1975.Split-up in 1995 after 20 years, but reformed in 2009 after a reunion gig in 2008.Gilgamesj (founded in 1975 in Leerdam) is one of the oldest hard rock bands in the Netherlands. 40 years after its formation, the band is still musically active.In 1995, the original line-up quit. 3 ex-band members (Frank van Stijn, Gerrie den Hartog and Jan Vos) started a new band called Zixth Zense in 1999.In time, this band played many old Gilgamesh songs and even performed a number of times under that name. Therefore, it was eventually decided to continue simply as Gilgamesh again.The band continued to work on new material, but was unable to complete it as drummer Jacques van Oevelen died in December 2016.Drummer Rob Boshuijzen, who has been playing with Chris and Rene for more than 20 years, (see also his site rob-b.nl) will now take his place on the drum stool and take care of the drum recordings. So Gilgamesj is still working on the follow-up to 1984's more than 30-year-old, successful Take One EP.Zixth Zense is the band after Gilgamesj that was formed in 1999 by 3 members of the original Gilgamesj line-up (Frank van Stijn - Gerrie den Hartog - Jan Vos).New musicians in this band were drummer Willem Prins, guitarist Sylvester van Leeuwen and keyboardist Rogier de Vaal. With this line-up, the CD "Tooth of time" was recorded in 2001.The music was initially less hard rock-oriented, but after the departure of Jan and Rogier, the band again added some Gilgamesh classics to the repertoire. The immediate cause was a gig in Ede in 2004, where the band was asked to perform as Gilgamesj and play some songs from the "Take One" EP. That was such a great success that the band decided to do it more often.Several successful performances were made in this way, most recently in October 2008 (Hoorn - HMM festival).After this, the band fell apart, but after six months it was decided to restart, simply under the name Gilgamesj again.Gilgamesj in this line-up has been active since 2010, bringing Zixth Zense's short existence to an end. Actually, it made sense because Zixth Zense was playing more and more Gilgamesj songs and increasingly identifying with Gilgamesj. Sadly, drummer Jacques van Oevelen passed away in 2017. Although he is still missed, the band has found a worthy successor in the person of Rob Boshuijzen.
Album:
Rockers GILGAMESJ leave a piece of history with their cult EP “Take One” that was released on the RaveOn label back in 1984. The band reformed back in 2009 and have been working on their long-awaited full length debut album. Well, after more than four decades since formed, GILGAMESJ just released the CD “Another Daybreak“.To some, the band’s name GILGAMESJ or even their logo may look ”heavy metal’, but these Dutch veterans deliver classic melodic hard rock with the traditional European sound for the genre, absolutely ’80s inspired but propelled forward into 2023 with a modern production.Led by the very good voice of Frank van Stijn (father time obviously has not harmed his vocal cords) and the excellent guitar work by Den Hartog & Sylvester van Leeuwen, this duo is key for the melodic style of the band (listen to the sweet riffs and thoughtful solos) where keyboardist Chris van Hoogdalem finds the space to color the music with his interludes.With this debut full-length the band serves up a rich tone bolstered by Hoogdalem’s keyboard work, epitomised by the opening track ‘Down Like Rain’ which has a Uriah Heep vibe. The slow burning and soulful title track is rich and warm with its reflective musicianship and heartfelt vocals.Gilgamesj are not hesitant to inject subtlety into their songs; ‘Lost Horizon’, ‘In My Dreams’ and ‘Where Is The Love’ sizzle and steam with a fragility. Fans looking for harder moments will no doubt relish the stony percussion on ‘Right Here Right Now’ and the busy axe work on ‘Down The Road’, but for the most part this record focuses on the lighter, melodious side.The return of Gilgamesj shouldn’t be overlooked as this is a wonderful rock record with melody, the sort that would have taken the scene by storm had it been released in the 80s. Hopefully, it will cause a few waves today.
Line Up:
Frank van Stijn – vocals
Gerrie den Hartog, Sylvester van Leeuwen – guitars
René Sterk – bass
Rob Boshuijzen – drums
Chris van Hoogdalem – keys
Tracklist:
01. Down Like Rain
02. Another Daybreak
03. Lost Horizon
04. Right Here Right Now
05. In My Dreams
06. Down The Road
07. Tales Of No Tomorrow
08. Lightning Strikes
09. Where Is The Love
10. The Unknown
11. No Contact (Bonus Track)
12. Into The Fire (Bonus Track)
13. Carry On (Bonus Track)
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