Hakselaer - Gieren en Brullen

Hakselaer - Gieren en Brullen

Released by SR

Everyone associates me with prog. I get why—I’ve spent years writing and researching for prog magazines and websites. But my taste goes way beyond that. I listen to all kinds of music; if I think it’s good, I like it. If I don't, I simply don't write about it. It’s that simple. Still, almost no one connects me with thrash metal or death metal.

Every now and then, though, something comes along that's just pure fun. Case in point: the CD from the Dutch band Hakselaer. The album is titled Gieren en Brullen (Gieren as in manure spreading), complete with a manure spreader on the cover.

The lineup features Stefan de Ruiter, a fantastic guitarist who also plays in the Hague-based prog band The Dame, showing off a completely different side of his playing here. He’s joined by Ruben Mijbergen on drums, Juran Hazeleger-Hensseler on bass, and Ivo S. Bijker on vocals—or whatever you want to call it. The man growls, screams, and rasps his way through the tracks, and I love it.

The band has delivered a phenomenal six-track album with great titles like "Dom, Dom, Dom" (about King Willem-Alexander), "Het Radicale Midden", "Ramptoerist", and "Jasje, Dasje". The lyrics are fantastic—crisp, rowdy, and straight in your face. The guys go all out, and "Jasje, Dasje" even gave me Rammstein vibes, just with an even nastier edge.

I thoroughly enjoyed this album and know I’ll be putting it on heavy rotation. It’s a blast to listen to. Thank you, gentlemen—it’s a great record and you really pulled it off.

My only small critique: I’d pay a bit more attention to the production next time. The mix isn't always top-tier and has room for improvement, but overall, it's a fantastic release.