The Mighty Delta Of Time. Smoke

The first album release of a Dutch band from West-Brabant towns Bergen op Zoom and Roosendaal makes quite the statement. Convincing bayou swamprock from the borders of the Oosterschelde is not the kind of music I'd expect coming out of Bergen op Zoom.

It does though. Smoke consists of  Kaj Arne Philipse a.k.a. “CajunKaji” (guitar), Roan de Neve a.k.a. “Sludge” (drums & voice) and Martin Raanhuis a.k.a. “The Groove Chief” (bass). The threesome have listened to things past, absorbed it and comes out with a groove so thick it oozes sweat just like the super humid swamps of Louisiana force on a body. You hear grooves, great dynamics, fiery slide guitar, a thick bass and huge drums when called for.

Expect more though. Smoke has listened to the first post grunge bands like Creed and what's-their-name's. De Neve has that same deep timbre in his voice when he wants to. The post grunge makes the impact of The Mighty Delta Of Time even deeper. The next level arrives when a light slide enters 'Bereft'. The volume had already gone down and then that guitar. Impressive is the word called for here. The tension is built up and up until the song returns to its start and we get a fine, slow guitar solo as a bonus. Smoke did not go over thin ice when arranging 'Bereft'.

Press photo

Okay, I hear you mumble, there's not so much new to discover here? Well, I'm hearing an interesting mix of styles. Smoke may like to dream, write and talk about bayous, the music it plays is far more than swamprock. It is the combination of post grunge with the slide guitar that makes The Mighty Delta Of Time worthwhile. The mix of the light and the shade. This sets the album more apart. Like the mighty delta of time slowly but surely changes everything around it, this album creeps up to you just as slowly, gets under your skin and will not come out. No doctor or medicine will help here. Be aware and note that I did warn you.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to the full album on You Tube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LbCh0h74HM&ab_channel=666MrDoom