DeHaze and Armed Cloud

May 16, 2014 - Hill's Café 66, Bergharen (NL)


When a new venue opens its doors and starts with a range of spring concerts that span stoner rock, blues rock, as well as progressive music, I can only encourage the idea; especially when this venue is located in my own little hometown. For one of the 'progressive' evenings, Hill's Café 66 joined forces with two bands that find their base in close range to the venue. First, DeHaze would enter the stage, followed by Armed Cloud. Being a new venue and with last minute planning, not enough time was left to really promote the concerts, but fans and locals could enjoy some nice concerts before this first round of progressive music. On the evening of May 16th, it became clear once again that progressive rock is not as embedded in people's minds as say blues rock, for the number of attendees was a little bit lower than expected.
 

DeHaze

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Stijn Linderman
First band on stage DeHaze chose to play an number of fairly safe covers, aside from their own material and I have to credit this young band for the way they instrumentally nailed these compositions. Highlight of the cover versions
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Alexander Berndsen
in my opinion, was Jimi Hendrix' Little Wing, which was performed on stage as a trio, with bassist Stijn Linderman taking over the lead vocal part. To be fair...I wish he hadn't. Why? Because by taking over the lead vocal part and adding second vocals to numerous other songs that evening, it was clear to me he had a pleasant voice, suitable the music they were playing. In fact I preferred his voice over that of the over-articulated vocals of actual vocalist Bram van Kuipers. But that said, I wouldn't define this band as a real progressive rock band. Influences of psychedelic and blues rock gave this band something special. A big 'thumbs up' for their guitar player Alexander Berndsen, whose speed and tone were perfect. I think this band can definitely grow and, with the right support, we will hear more of these guys. Tip: Don't leave the stage in order to kiss your girlfriend when the rest of the band keeps on playing.
 

Armed Cloud

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Wouter van der Veen
Very different, and in my opinion a number of steps higher up the ladder of professionalism, is Armed Cloud. They are making a name for themselves in the Dutch progressive scene by taking part in numerous challenges and band stands. Musically these guys stand their ground with compositions that are based on interactive keyboard and guitar parts, as well as heavy, but melodic drumming and strong bass parts. And then there is the vocalist... It seems like the nice guy from next door kind of explodes when he enters the stage,
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Daan Dekker

bursting with loads of energy that lifts up the band to a certain level. Where guitarist Wouter van der Veen concentrates on his music, vocalist Daan Dekker seems to be his counterpart on stage, interacting with bass player Boris Suvee, who also knows how to entertain the audience, and keyboarder Remco van der Veen. The songs they brought came from their latest EP Shroud Of Rain (2012, see review), as well as from the album that is soon to be recorded; something to look forward to. As a special treat, the band came up with one cover. For one of the contests they participated in, they had to play a cover and as they liked the song, it remained on today's set-list. Midnight Oil's Beds Are Burning underwent a special 'Armed Cloud treatment', but kept its own identity too so, well done. Armed Cloud's big bang came with the last composition; Tyrant's Destiny; a powerful, energetic end of a pleasant and impressive performance. Credits I have to give are for the way the band played as if there was an audience of 500; they just gave it all.

As usual when I attend a concert, I find it hard to head home afterwards and this evening was no exception. We stayed until late, talking to the bands, having some beers and enjoying each other's company in a pleasant ambiance that is called Hill's Café 66.

Pedro Bekkers (edited by Esther Ladiges)


Setlist DeHaze:


Pegasus
Six Degrees Of Separation
Ready Made (Red Hot Chilli Peppers cover)
Good Times, Bad Times (Zed Zeppelin cover)
The Restless In Your Mind
Black Night (Deep Purple cover)
Little Wing (Jimi Hendrix cover)
Rush
To Survive Another Day
Cult Of Personality (Living Colour cover)
Storm
Shepherd


Pictures DeHaze by Henri Strik

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Click on the picture to enlarge.

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Line up DeHaze:

(left to right)
Bram van Kuipers:
lead vocals and occasionally keyboards
Alexander Berndsen:
guitar
Koen Maassen:
drums
Stijn Linderman:
bass, occasionally keyboards, lead and backing vocals
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Setlist Armed Cloud:


Obsidian Desert
Destructible
My Own Kind
Helping Hand
This Dream
Morning Star
Dream Come Untrue
Beds Are Burning (Midnight Oil cover)
Pyramid Of Charlatans
Got Her By
In Your Mind
Wounded Healer
Meltdown
Tyrant's Destiny




Pictures Armed Cloud by Henri Strik

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Click on the picture to enlarge.

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Line up Armed Cloud:

(left to right)
Wouter van der Veen:
guitars and backing vocals
Remco van der Veen:
keyboards and backing vocals
Daan Dekker:
lead vocals
Rico Noijen:
drums
Boris Suvee:
bass
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