February 24th, 2023 - Columbus' Trip To Planet Metalhead

 

Goedenavond metal maniacs!  Happy Friday!  The Meista here today getting a heavy and a little Dutch with Martyr's latest kick-ass album "Planet Metalhead" on this, its 1st birthday and a delicious and punchy Columbus from the fine folks at Brouwerij ' t IJ in Amsterdam!  Hell yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Martyr
• Title: "Planet Metalhead"
• Recorded: 2021
  Release date: February 24th, 2022 (5th full-length studio album by Martyr)
• Record company: Pt78 Records / No Dust Records
• Production: Martyr
• Album cover art: Wasi Kendedes and Harm Kindt
• Personnel: Rick Bouwman (guitars), Geoffrey Maas (guitars and backing vocals), Rick Valcon (drums and backing vocals), Rop van Haren (lead vocals), and Vinnie Wassink (bass and backing vocals)
• Guest musician: Koen Bakker (backing vocals), Patricia Bakker (backing vocals), Bram Lieftinck (backing vocals), and Lotte van Leengoed (piano)
• Musical style: Heavy metal, power metal, thrash metal
• Sound: Blending elements of traditional metal with a little thrash, the sound on "Planet Metalhead" is wonderful collection of tracks from one of the premiere metal outfits from the Netherlands.  It is high-octane, unapologetic, in-your-face metal characterized by van Haren's acrobatic vocals, the soaring guitars of Bouwman and Maas, and the heavy-duty rhythmic juggernaut of Valcon and Wassink!  Another great album from the mighty Martyr!
• Major themes: Heavy metal, brotherhood, darkness, evil, sin, power, aggression, rebellion, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Raise Your Horns, Unite!"
2. "Demon Hammer"
3. "Children Of The Night"
4. "Fire Of Rebellions"
5. "No Time For Goodbyes"
6. "Metal Overdrive"
7. "La Diabla"
8. "Diary Of A Sinner"
9. "Church Of Steel"
10. "Wings In A Darkened Soul"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Brouwerij ' t IJ (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
• Website: https://www.brouwerijhetij.nl/
• Brew: Columbus
• Style: Belgian Dark Strong Ale
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 9.0%
• Pour: The Columbus pours a cloudy golden amber hue with a frothy and thin, off-white, soft and fluffy head with good retention and lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by malty, spicy, yeasty, roasty, hoppy, and slightly boozy notes.  There are aromas of Belgian yeast, dried figs, raisins, dark chocolate, earthy hops, oak, bourbon, and buttery toffee.
• Taste: Following the nose, the taste of the Columbus is spicy, boozy, and malty.  There are notes of Belgian spices, sweet biscuit, and sweet caramel/toffee. 
• Mouthfeel: Full-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel is crisp and exceptionally smooth with a dry, somewhat bitter and boozy finish.

Overall pairing: The Brouwerij ' t IJ Columbus is punchy and bold brew... great for the metal onslaught that is the mighty Martyr!  The complexity of the brew goes great with van Haren's rich vocal range, while the bitter elements as well as the malty backbone go great with the intensity and depth of the music!  'Nuff said! 

Proost!!  Gezondheid!!