Swinging Saturdays #107: Dutch Gothic Angels

Swinging saturdays is a musical meme hosted by Ice Cold Passion, to share our passion for music. The goal is to make a top 5 (or Top 10) for whatever genre or artist you like or get creative and share a theme based music top 5. For example a bookish soundtrack, funny songs, song to listen to on a rainy day top 5.

It is almost Halloween, it is getting darker and darker outside, in the Netherlands Autumn comes with lots of rain. In all honesty I think we only have two seasons left, as we do not get any harsh winters or anything. So there's Autumn and there is summer. I think we skip spring and winter here. At least this is how it has been the last few year, might be the result of global warming? 

Anyway, yes today Angels in the darkness, or maybe even better dark angels. The Angels of Gothic Metal. I always thought the genre was called Gothic Rock, however as has been pointed out to me, all of the below bands are considered metal. Gothic metal, symphonic metal or however you want to consider it, has something theatrical, and goes very well with the whole Halloween theme. I love the classical voices combined with the metal sound. Today, I am proud to present you a list of 5 dutch metal chicks in this genre, one of our largest export products, so to say, as most of these bands are more famous outside of the Netherlands than in their homecountry. 

Charlotte Wessels: Delain ~ The Gathering

This band, or maybe I should call it project, because there are so many artists that have been part of Delain, thinking of Marco from Nightwish, Sharon van Adel from Nightwish and many more, all had a part in Delain. The main vocalist of Delain is another Dutchy Charlotte Wessels. I like that this band has so many faces to go with it, it makes the band very divers, their music, well you tell me, I very much enjoy it let me know what you think of the Gathering.

Floor Jansen: After Forever ~ My Pledge of Allegiance #1

Back in the day, Floor Jansen was not a name that would ring a bell, when you would say, I listen to After Forever, people would look at you. After what? I have never heard of this band. Now Floor Jansen has made a name for herself in the Netherlands as well, through a Dutch tv show called "De Beste Zanger". I am one of those fan who can say, yes I know who she is, I have seen her play live with After Forever. Here is one of my favorite songs of My Pledge of Allegiance part 1, I hope you enjoy.

Simone Simons: Epica ~ Feint

If you thought well that would be all the Netherlands has to offer, nope you are going to be wrong, there is more. Epica, I know they do big ass tours in South America, twice as big as the venues they play in the Netherlands, I had the pleasure of seeing them live a couple of times, and boy do they bring a metal performance to the stage. The first time I saw them live was when they just released their first album, The Phantom Agony, year later I had the pleasure of seeing them in my "home" venue Hedon in Zwolle. They have grown so much since then and I can only appreciated the band that they have become, the music is still amazing. And their live performance is magnificent! Definintely checks them out whenever you get the chance, COVID has to end some day.

Sharon van Adel: Within Temptation ~ Candles

No I haven't forgotten the only Dutch gothic metal band that ever made it to the Dutch hit charts, with the song Ice Queen, and every so often it will still be played by the Dutch radio stations. That is very unique, as metal usually never makes it anywhere within our charts, so you can consider it a big deal that they managed to. I think they had a couple more hits that did very well but non as big as Ice Queen I think. Correct me if I am wrong. Anyways Within Temptation has been around for more than 10 years. I must say I haven't listen to their newer albums as much as I did the first 4. I think I have seen them live at least 6 or 7 times. Last time only 2 years ago, since I hadn't listen to it in a while I was surprised that the poppy songs where traded in for the more heavier side of the band, and I am glad to see them in this way. A really should pick up some new albums to listen to. By the way I have been in love with her dresses for years, they are so incredibly beautiful.

Floor Jansen: Nightwish ~ Ghost Love Score

Yes I know, I am cheating a bit, but hey, I can't help it that she switched bands? Nightwish is by fare my favorite band ever, there was a time I used to listen to them every day, I owned all the records, and still they are my go to music for whenever I am feeling down, of if I have the urge to sing along. Because up to Dark Passion Play, I know all the songs by heart. I really loved the voice of Tarja, I was so said to see her leave the band. When after a while Floor Jansen replaced her, I am actually quite happy with this, ofcourse I already new her voice, because of her band After Forever, and she can get the high notes of the old songs, ofcourse she brought here own style to the band. Ghost Love Score remains a favorite, and this shows how well she fits in with the band how she made the song her own, how it is still truthful to the version of Tarja. I think fans really appreciate that it is still a mix of the old and the new.

I hope you enjoyed these amazing vocalists! I sure as hell had a lovely time lots of good memories here, memories of live performances, I hope we get them back this year, because I am really missing concerts and festivals. It gives me lots of energy, a way to really relax, to be in that moment, to meet amazing people, to party with random people, to feel alive. Do you know any of these band? Let me know in the comments.

Want to host Swing Saturdays next week? 

Send me an email: icecoldpassions@gmail.com. 

I would love to hear what kind of music you like!