Wat als .... je de Noordkaap song "Ik Hou Van U" in een hardrock versie zou spelen ?
Stijn Meuris (ex-Noordkaap, ex-Monza, Meuris), Gregory Frateur (Dez Mona) en Tom Pintens mochten in het één-programma 'De Laatste Show' toelichting geven bij de nieuwe zaalshow 'Zware Metalen' waarmee het gezelschap Hardrock- en Metalklassiekers naar het grote publiek wil hertalen. Net zoals Meuris en co zitten de songs duidelijk in een ander jasje dan normaal. Zo bleek ook uit hun vertolking van Mötorheads 'Ace of Spades' (http://www.een.be/programmas/de-laatste-show/zware-metalen)
Op de facebook pagina van De Laatste Show waren, meteen na het programma en ook al tijdens, de reacties legio: sommigen vonden de aanpak origineel en fris, anderen waren verbaasd over deze 'aanpak', tot verontwaardigd .
Maar, wat als je Noordkaaps 'Ik Hou Van U' in een hardrockversie zou spelen? Dat vroeg Beyond The Labyrinth zich af.
Beyond The Labyrinth (BTL) wilde de verbazing die de aanpak van 'Zware Metalen' opwekte toch even aan het grote publiek laten voelen door, op hun eigen relativerende manier, een nummer van Noordkaap te herwerken. De keuze viel op het alombekende ‘Ik hou van u’.... maar dan wél gebruik makend van dezelfde criteria en middelen die ook Stijn Meuris had gehanteerd bij het bewerken van de gekozen songs voor 'Zware Metalen'.
De song werd volledig in een nieuw jasje gestoken en verrijkt met zeer herkenbare Hardrock-invloeden: een Guns n’ Roses achtige-intro, een Iron Maiden-achtig riffje, een AC/DC-drumpartij – kortom: de muzikale achtergrond van de Beyond The Labyrinth leden laat van zich spreken.
Even werd getwijfeld om ook de tekst van het lied aan te pakken en deze van het Nederlands naar het Engels te gaan vertalen, zoals ook Raf Van Brussel iedere morgen op JOE FM doet tijdens zijn rubriek ‘het betere vertaalwerk van...', maar van dat idee werd snel afgestapt toen bleek dat de vertaling van de al simpele Nederlandse tekst resulteerde in een al even simpele Engelstalige tekst waardoor de meerwaarde leek te smelten als sneeuw voor de zon...
Voor het eerst en waarschijnlijk dus ook voor het laatst kun je genieten van Beyond The Labyrinth in het Nederlands, of kleinkunst in een hardrockersjasje!
De homemade video clip kan je bewonderen op : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA190jrW4Nk
A New Vocalist for Beyond The Labyrinth
It is with great pleasure that Beyond The Labyrinth (BTL) announce new singer P.G. Haggerty.
In the mid ‘80s, P.G. Haggery was the original lead singer of Belgian Hard Rock Cult band Hands Of Mercy. Hands Of Mercy released for example the now very hard to find demo with songs like “Genocide” and “Back To Believe”, which actually showcased the vocal talent of P.G.Haggery. Due to musical differences and personal matters, P.G. left H.O.M. but that never ended P.G’s love for singing.
Early 2011, P.G. and Geert Fieuw (BTL band leader) reconnected through Facebook which leaded, in the second half of 2011 when BTL started looking for a new lead singer, to the assignment of P.G. This choice was the most logical one, as P.G.’s auditions easily convinced all the BTL band members, as well as the BTL band fans on the last 2011 BTL gig in Antwerp (De Rots – Melkmarkt).
It is very clear that Beyond The Labyrinth looks forward to a new future with P.G., releasing more material and playing more shows.
End Of An Era
It is with regret that Beyond The Labyrinth announce the departure of lead singer Jo De Boeck.
With Jo De Boeck as a lead vocalist, Beyond The Labyrinth released 3 albums, 9 singles and 6 video clips between 2005 and 2011.
Some people consider the distinct voice of Jo De Boeck part of the Beyond The Labyrinth sound.
Jo started his career as a singer in Beyond The Labyrinth end of 2000, just at the moment that the Mk IV line Up had split up.
From 2001 to May 2004, Beyond The Labyrinth was a studio project and Jo spent a lot of time with Geert (Fieuw, guitars, keys, composer) in the recording studio, singing his first BTL gig at a showcase at Progpower 2001, and playing live together with Geert and (BTL, Sister Madly) guitar player Fréderic Ost as in an acoustic cover band “Back To Life” (mark the initials)
In May 2004, Beyond The Labyrinth was brought back to life as a band with Jo as a lead singer.
Between May 2004 and November 2006, Beyond The Labyrinth played roughly 20 concerts, opening for bands like Riverside, Pain Of Salvation, Jon Oliva, Epica, Sonata Arctica and more, released a demo, 2 singles and the full album “Signs” which included Beyond The Labyrinth signature song “In Flanders Fields” as well as a song “(Tearing Down the Icons)” on the “A Taste Of Belgium” compilation (2006)
End of 2006, Jo left the band due to personal reasons and BTL continued with a different singer through the first half of 2007.
Medio 2007, the 2007 (MK VIII) BTL line-up disbanded and early 2008, Jo returned to Beyond The Labyrinth
Between November 2008 and November 2011, Beyond The Labyrinth played roughly 30 shows and festivals, opened for bands like Threshold, Pagan’s Mind, Uriah Heep and more, released 7 singles and 2 albums (“Castles in the Sand”, 2008) and (“Chapter III-Stories”, 2011) and 6 video clips. Jo participated on a remake of Beyond The Labyrinth’s “For Eternity” (one of the few Fieuw/De Boeck songs) that also featured Jo’s idol John Payne (Asia) on Lisa LaRue’s "2K9 album.
In order to restore his 'life-work-music' balance, Jo informed the band on October 23th about his decision to close the Beyond The Labyrinth chapter.
Beyond The Labyrinth would like to thank Jo De Boeck for his time and talent. Without him, we wouldn’t be where we are now.
Back to a 4-person line up
Beyond The Labyrinth fans that were present at the October 29 th gig at Pucci/Geraardsbergen may have noticed that there were only 4 people performing : indeed, lead guitar player Mark Wenkin decided to leave the band on (very) short notice earlier on that day.
The implications of Mark's decision were quite minor after some last-minute-rearranging, and Beyond The Labyrinth played a fantastic gig in front of an enhousiastic audience.
Mark's decision reverts the band to the line-up that has succesfully recorded and released the "Chapter III-Stories" album (Mark only joined BTL after the album was finished). His decision will have no implication whatsoever on booked concerts or the Beyond The Labyrinth planning
Hear Today, Gone Tomorrow ? Keep on Listening .. Plug it in !!!
Have you ever been to a concert you really liked, but at the end, wished you had brought ear plugs ?
As rock musicians, the members of classic/melodic rock band Beyond The Labyrinth are well aware of the impact of noise and the resulting hearing loss. Often, subtlety gets lost through the hiss and sheer volume of a live gig – degrading the audience experience at the concert as well as afterwards, when listening to the music on CD or on file.
That’s why Beyond The Labyrinth are proud to introduce a new merchandising item : Beyond The Labyrinth branded foam ear plugs (with SNR of 35db) will be available from the Beyond The Labyrinth merchandise booth at concerts.
The selling price of the Beyond The Labyrinth ear plugs has been fixed at 1 Euro,with the price tag of the plugs doubling as a 1 Euro discount voucher for the purchase of other Beyond The Labyrinth merchandise.
Beyond The Labyrinth confirmed for PPM Fest !!
Beyond The Labyrinth is happy to announce their presence at the prestiguous PPM Fest in Mons (7,8/04/2012). Already confirmed headliners are Accept and Blind Guardian.
Jo De Boeck interviewed by US Music Magazine !!
Everything you wanted to know ?
Check out a great interview by Jo De Boeck on US Music Magazine Highwire Daze !
May 28th - Acoustic Showcase at Miss Metal Candidates press conference !
Thanks to Mindview Magazine, Beyond The Labyrinth have the opportunity to present their music to journalists from both mainstream and inside media : on Thursday June 2nd, Mindview Magazine present the candidates for their Miss Metal 2012 contest to the media.
It is with great pleasure that Beyond The Labyrinth will be playing an acoustic showcase at this opportunity !
May 13th : Press Release : Beyond The Labyrinth release new album "Chapter III-Stories", new video clip "The Girl With The X-Ray Eyes"
To celebrate the release of the new album "Chapter III-Stories",
Classic/Melodic Rock band Beyond The Labyrinth have released a video clip for the "The Girl With The X-Ray Eyes", taken off the same album.
The clip can be found on the band’s official site (http://www.beyond-the-labyrinth.com/),
their ReverbNation site (http://www.reverbnation.com/beyondthelabyrinth)
as well as on their Youtube Channel (http://www.youtube.com/beyondthelabyrinth)
Direct link to the video on Youtube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88R2VLdvbFM
It was aired in premiere during prime time on Belgian TV Station "Ring TV" on Friday 13th 2011.
"Chapter III - Stories", officially released on Friday 13th 2011 as well, continues to receive raving reviews confirming the bands international level, unique sound and approach.
"Chapter III - Stories" is available worldwide through Twilight Distribution (Germany) and on iTunes.
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Jo De Boeck - Mark Wenkin - Michel Lodder - Geert Fieuw - Gerry Verstreken
May 1st 2011 : Mark Wenkin joins Beyond The Labyrinth as a guitar player
Official today May 1st, Beyond The Labyrinth have added guitar player Mark Wenkin (a.o. Healer of God) to the line up. Unfortunately he came too late to play on the new album, but he will provide the necessary crunch and guts for our live performances and we count on him as an additional song writer and riff master for forthcoming releases.
Mark Wenkin started his musical experience in various local bands and released a couple of demos with various local bands in the early nineties. In an effort to pursue a musical career he left his hometown to established himself in Dallas, Texas where he joined Darren Anthony (ex-King Diamond) and Dave Houston (Mindstorm). Later on, Mark joined cover band "Cryvenus", opening for acts like Warrant and George Lynch.
After a couple of years in the States, Mark decided to come back to Belgium to work on his own project and released an instrumental album "Out Of The Blue" in 2008.
In 2009, he formed the band "Healer Of God" releasing the self-titled album in 2010 (mixed in Sweden by Andy LaRoque).
Mark Wenkin's music combined elements of traditional rock and hard rock with blues and classical influences. As a self taught musician, he is continually refining his musicality openess through an appetite for knowledge and positive critical attitude towards his own playing. His weapons of choice are a Gibson Les Paul wired to Mesa amps.
April 29th 2011 : Something in between : The Beyond The Labyrinth RPG
We have sent at a massive amount of review and promo copies - but when suddenly the counters on our web site went haywire, we took the time to investigate and found out that we were being hit by people doing a Google search for “Beyond The Labyrinth”, a RPG for the brand new Nintendo 3DS that will be released through Kunami. Thanks for the publicity guys, returning the favor and if you need good music for your -as yet unfinished- release, we’ll be happy to know !
March 23rd 2011 : CD Release Party announced !
On May 21st, Beyond The Labyrinth will kick off the new concert season with a CD release party !
Venue : Zaal Bret/Zagerijstraat/Genk (in collaboration with R-Mine Events)
Order your entry ticket (8 Euro) for the May 21st CD Release show NOW - free shipping !
March 23rd : We are taking orders for the new album !
If you prefer to support the band by buying directly from us, we appreciate it !
PreOrder : “Chapter III-Stories”
New 2011 album featuring 12 songs : 15 Euro + Shipping
Will be sent out by post on May 12th 2011
PACKAGE !!!
Package : CD “Chapter III” + Entry Ticket for May 21st Release Party + Fan Goodies :
February 26th 2011 - A Deal for Beyond The Labyrinth
Through the Incommunicado/Twilight labels, Beyond The Labyrinth have signed a record and distribution deal for “Chapter III-Stories”.
The scheduled release date for the album is May 13th 2011
February 26th 2011 - Booking Agency
Beyond The Labyrinth can now be booked through Shirley van Wingerden of Blokhut Live Promotions
bookings : Shirley van Wingerden of Blokhut Live Promotions (nl) - +31(6)36326418
