| CD REVIEW T. A. G. |
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Band : T. A. G. I'm somewhat uncertain when exactly this Dutch Limburg province based Modern Metal band was founded, but their MySpace page was erected in late 2007 (Nov to be precise), and that seems quite right. Although therefore a relatively young band, the members (singer Sandra Peeters, guitarist Wouter Bloemen, bassist Gerard Gubbels, and drummer Dennis Geraards) of T.A.G (which stands for The After Glow, by the way) nevertheless have quite some experience on their hands, having played, toured and recorded with their respective previous bands (V-Male, Bangalore Choir, David Ree, etc...). With their previous experiences (and connections in the “business”) it should hardly be a surprise that, even though T.A.G had not yet recorded anything yet, the band got some very nice gigging opportunities, like nice spots at Dutch festivals and venues (Holland Fields Of Rock, Bospop, Warchild, Gelredome, Paaspop, Ahoy, Effenaar, and more), and did some very nice support gigs as well (with Exilia and My Favourite Scar to name but a couple). Along the way the band got an endorsement from Mayones Guitars & Basses (whom also endorse industry biggies such as Limp Bizkit, The Rasmus, Pain Of Salvation, Paradise Lost, Scorpions, and Textures among others) and Adams Drums (check Simple Minds, Kontrust and Nailpin). And when you'll hear T.A.G's music yourself, you'll find out that these very appreciated instrument builders' support of the band is not a surprise at all...after all, quality seeks each other's company, you know!? At this moment I feel it's appropriate to tell the tale of the coming into existence of this album. You see, around Christmas 2008 the band grouped together in the Bloom Recordings studio of guitarist Wouter to start recording a couple of tracks for their first EP, taking their time to do things as perfect as possible. Somehow the band then got in contact with producer Oscar Holleman (former Vengeance guitarist, he went on to record/ produce successful albums with the likes of Krezip, Nailpin, Heideroosjes, Gorefest, Ayreon, and Within Temptation) to do the vocal production of the recorded songs, and also mix 'em. So, from May 2009 on, Sandra spent time recording her vocals with Holleman at Drunen based RS29 studios...the whole again taking the necessary time in order to deliver top quality. In the meantime the band did its first foreign shows, playing in Germany (have since gone on to play Belgium and Sweden as well), and when the final mixing of the EP was done both producer and band came to the agreement that it would be a shame to have this wonderful collection of songs released on just an EP...so they agreed to record enough songs to fill a complete album. In fact, Holleman even collaborated in the writing process of some of those songs. A second recording session of the music done in March 2010, Sandra again secluded herself with Holleman at RS29 for another vocal recording in June. And while Holleman started mixing the end result, guitarist Wouter (after being gently pushed in that direction) decided to open up his own studio to other bands, making Bloom Recordings an official recording studio...singer Sandra was invited to do an acoustic set with Dutch band Casual Silence at Helmond's Annatheater...the band did a couple of photo shoot sessions...several of the songs were enhanced with additional keyboards (something which Marco Kuijpers (formerly of Silkstone, he now works as a session musician at Kaatsheuvel's AudioCult Studio) and the song “And We Know” was even given a nice bagpipe infusion. That done in early February 2010, Holleman (assisted by Wouter) could start working on the final mixes, after which the mastering was still to be done...and here finally, after more than two years of work, is the album! Time to talk music, right? Well, you see, musically the band is in real good company, as the members feel inspired by the likes of Alter Bridge, Foo Fighters, 30 Seconds To Mars, P.O.D. and Fall Out Boy. But the fact that they're fronted by the truly excelling Sandra ( whom does her own backing vocals on the album, which works wonderful on the album, but is completely impossible to re-create on stage, unless the band uses pre-recorded vocal backing...well, the keyboards may have to come like that as well, eh, unless the band decides to bring on an extra member on stage to do the keyboards for 'em in those songs that “need” it) gives the band a quality which equals that of the likes of “Pop” icons Skunk Anansie and Guano Apes (the latter, by the way, flanks Epica, No Doubt, My Favourite Scar, and Kontrust in the band's “favourites” on their facebook page), while at the same time retaining their own identity! Just like in the case of the latter, T.A.G alternates more intimate songs with some wilder ones, but having listened to the album a couple of times (I did that the whole day yesterday, and still there's no bored sensation today) I can honestly say that one tends to care less about the differences and simply starts to appreciate the album overall. In essence, that sensation is in the first place forced upon the listener by the more-than-excellent vocal splendour of singer Sandra (exclamation mark into infinity). Of course, the music itself IS excellent as well, and although the singer could stand her own quite easily, the combination of the well thought-out and performed music with her vocal prowess is what is gonna make this band a hit in its genre. I mean, in spite of the fact that this album is not exactly backed by a big label, I can see this band take off for success, starting in Holland and Europe, and perhaps beyond that with the next album. What these guys need now, is some good gigging opportunities...perhaps a tour with an established act in the Fall? Big words? You better believe it, but nothing exaggerated, I tell you! Check out the band's qualities for yourself by logging into the band's own website (www.) tagmusic.nl...check the video for “Four Piece Puzzle” first, then go to the “Media” section, where you'll find previews of 3 songs...or even better, go to the “Video” section, where you'll not only find two “Making Of...” footage videos, but also 6 live recordings made in August of last year (when the band supported My Favourite Scar at Effenaar...hey, that rhymes!). By the way, there's more live videos of the band at YouTube...just mentioning. Meanwhile...back to serious business, and my nomination of this band's debut album into my “Best Albums Of 2011”-lists...and Sandra's addition to my personal “Vocal Discoveries Of The Decade”-list. Great Scots...what a wonderful voice that woman has...and to top it all off, her looks are quite attractive as well! 98/100 Tony. |
