VRIJDAG 15 JANUARI

13.30 - 15.30 UURMOJO SILO, GRIFFEWEG 4,

9724 GG, GRONINGEN(OM DE HOEK BIJ DE OOSTERPOORT)

MANDRAKE’S MONSTER are chomping at the bit; cymbals ready for action and guitars pointed towards the sky; leaving a trail of blatant talent in their wake. Thanks to their riveting catalogue of alternative hard rock, the band have already made a name for themselves across parts of Europe. Now and with a self-titled debut album under their belt, their sights are firmly set on the limelight. Inspired by the likes of Queens of the Stoneage, Foo Fighters, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, together the five-piece create a raucous fuss of military beats, electric riffs and sturdy bass worthy of their Marvel inspired name. With a steady history of music-making already giving them flight, to say that they’re ready to charge at the music scene is an understatement. Comprising guitarists Alex Freise and Peter Muller, bassist Sem Christoffel, drummer Mart Nijen Es and vocalist Martin Duve; Mandrake’s Monster are based in Enschede, the Netherlands, having met and formed at University in early 2012. Their love affair with cutting hard rock and blistering alternative music started earlier on, however.

Seeped in the kind of metaphorical and galvanising imagery that makes the rock scene so fun; Mandrake’s Monster wish to trigger the kinds of emotions stirred by their heroes, invoking a “stunning and warm feeling, full of energy that, at the same time, makes you shiver to your bones.” They do this through love stories, “frustrating romances full of despair”, “fantastic stories and everyday life experiences” – topics anyone can relate to. It’s not all tears over cornflakes though; their often sarcastic view of things helps to make sense of the world, one blistering riff at a time. This fusion of dark fantasy meets audible clarity often results in layer upon layer of guitar battering an incredibly intricate melody. Unsurprisingly, the band aim to create a night their fans will never forget.

TOURFEBRUARY 21 – HEDON, ZWOLLEBOOKERJARN VAN STRIJEN J.VAN.STRIJEN@MOJO.NL

DUTCH PROGRESSIVE METALLERS TEXTURES are about to release a musical diptych: ‘PHENOTYPE’ – ‘GENOTYPE’. Two new albums set up around one concept. The Dutch sextet is not a band to put out an album every year in a row. The band took almost 2,5 years to write and record albums no. 5 and 6. “Music is no fast food! Details are crafted and re-crafted. Extra layers are created and stretched to form the ultimate tension span for years to last.” ‘PHENOTYPE’, the first album to be released on February 5th 2016 via Nuclear Blast, is a 60-minute long song-based album. TEXTURES present an eclectic overview of what modern metal has to offer. Catchy, innovative and progressive songs are what TEXTURES stand for. The new virtuosos Uri Dijk (synth) and Joe Tal (guitar) deliver a new, harmonic vibe to the mature TEXTURES sound. ‘GENOTYPE’, which will be released a year later, is a 45-minute long conceptual track. The root material of which ‘PHENOTYPE’ consists of is presented in this song, but in a totally different context: TEXTURES go out-of-the-box. More proggy, more atmosphere and lots of extra layers to fill the last gaps left in this extensive double rollercoaster ride. In support of ‘PHENOTYPE’, TEXTURES will hit the European stages in February 2016. The dates are as followed below:

TOURFEBRUARY 12 - BIBELOT, DORDRECHTFEBRUARY 13 - 013, TILBURGMARCH 5 (COMPLEXITY) - PATRONAAT, HAARLEM BOOKERJEPS SALFISCHBERGER J.SALFISCHBERGER@MOJO.NL

Unique, edgy but charming. The Charm The Fury from Amsterdam, The Netherlands, has brilliantly managed to stand out from the crowd. The band is not only known for its harmonious and kick-ass tracks, but also because of female screamer Caroline. With a strong focus on quality, dynamics and loudness, the stubborn TCTF-twist cannot be missed. The band had an exclusive release with Metal Hammer and features in Metal Hammer, Kerrang!, FHM and Alternative Press.

The Charm The Fury performed at some of Europe’s major rock festivals, like the Download Festival (UK), Fortarock (NL), Graspop (BE), Damage (F) and Groezrock (BE). They toured the UK 3 times, including a tour in November 2014 with “Upon A Burning Body”, the band did a EU support tour with “We Came As Romans” and supported Slipknot, Papa Roach and Marilyn Manson. They are currently working on their follow-up to “A Shade Of My Former Self”, which will be released in 2016.

TOURJANUARY 29 – PATRONAAT, HAARLEMAPRIL 7 – VREDENBURG, UTRECHTAPRIL 23 – BOERDERIJ, ZOETERMEER SEPTEMBER 24, (FEMME) – EFFENAAR, EINDHOVENBOOKERJARN VAN STRIJEN J.VAN.STRIJEN@MOJO.NL