Sanity
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Sanity

Band Rock Metal

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This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


"Dutch Progressive Rock Page"

… traditional neo prog (a la IQ) and harder edged metallic riffing in the vein of Queensrÿche or Dream Theater … a tight unit, anchored by a dynamic rhythm section and with impressive contributions from keyboard and guitar … always interesting backdrop for the arresting vocals of Kees van Keulen … having a rich dark-toned, wide-ranging voice with operatic tendencies … very emotionally expressive and often very moving … Peter Hammill, who would be a reasonable comparison … Peter Nicholls of IQ, David Bowie and Geoff Tate of Queensrÿche might also be useful pointers … any of the songs would give you a good idea of the bands strengths, capabilities and overall style … Sanity could easily develop into one of the leading lights of the genre. - (Netherlands/United Kingdom/USA)


"Progressive Newsletter"

... a great stage presence and bring their songs convincing ... the songs build above all on useful hooks, vigourous riffs, primes from rather sparingly used keyboards and a belonging shot of healthy hardness ... Unequivocal fixed point of Sanity is vocalist Kees van Keulen ... he reminds in his intonation of Saviour Machine Mastermind Eric Clayton ... the band owns absolutely good potential for a broader audience. - (Germany)


"Tartarean Desire"

There is no question that this band is talented. I can't find a single flaw in their performance! ... a very solid voice similar to Geoff Tate of Queenryche, or Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, and he showcases his talent with ease. The band behind the vocals is worthy of equal comparison ... from your standard rock/metal to a more symphonic metal style during the show, incorporating dynamic breaks, excellent leads, and interludes throughout … All in all this is a good release. - (Sweden)


"Lords of Metal"

Nice sounding tunes, which are presented very convincing. They sound great live and the bands stage performance is also good ... atmospheric tapestry is varied with heavy parts ... these musicians know their instruments, without silt up to useless power play ... I am very curious about the début record of these gentlemen. - (Netherlands)


"Headache Magazine"

The dark, exalted voice of Kees van Keulen show to full advantage with the complex pieces … the constant tempo changing, instrumental pieces, it makes my flesh creep … a nice moquette of keys … the rhythm section as tight as a ducks ass … flashing guitar solo's … all pieces stand in full glory … Kees sings with full emotion … If there would ever be an equivalent of superheroes like Queensryche or Dream Theater, then you can see and hear them at work at this beautiful designed CD/DVD set. - (Netherlands)


"Blacklight Magazin"

… genuine 59 minutes live recorded … the band gives their best to cheer the spirit of Hard-Rock … although there are visible parallels with old acquaintances from time to time, Sanity does not put itself in the shade of long gone big names. They are already determined to find and develop their own style … not only rocky but also soulful and full of ideas and technical on a high level … technical flawless rock, like Sanity just does here. - (Germany)


"Strutter'zine"

Wow! ... although the music is Progressive Metal, there are also influences from Sympho and even AOR ... a high quality performance, both in sound and registration ... a lot of good music is making this DVD definitely interesting for the fan of high class progressive rock/metal, because that's what we basically can see and hear on this DVD of Sanity. - (Netherlands)


"Aardschok"

A remarkable release of a group who still has to release their first full album … an authentic picture of an evening with Sanity … Other relatively genius songs are the predominantly slow "No One Sleeps Tonight" and the beautiful build up "Lonely At The World" and especially the firm and full of alternation "Together As One". - (Netherlands)


"Prog-Nose"

... between prog rock and prog metal, with bands like IQ, Threshold and Queensrÿche coming to mind. ... an appealing sound tapestry, with heavy guitars and interesting keyboards parts. Singer Kees Van Heulen sounds something like a cross between Geoff Tate and Dio ... Lots of good songs with plenty of variation and tempo changes, and a good balance between the heavy and the subtle parts. ... very professionally filmed ... a good impression of what the band stand for in a live environment. An excellent way to discover this promising band. - (Belgium)


"Evolving Artist / Blogcritics / Music-Sites / Prog Archives / Buzzle / Garage Radio / Article Hub / Radio Gets Wild / Dmusic / Progressive World"

... Sanity is a good band, musically they are solid and tight and the lead singer Kees van Keulen sounds like Iggy Pop and Bowie all rolled into one person ... driving punishing riffs of guitar man Jeroen Hoegee ... the timely rhythm section of Roger van Acquoy (bass) and Fred den Hartog (drums) ... the necessary symphonic elements with flurries of keyboard virtuosity ... to make it all sound like true metal-prog.
Progarchives: Excellent addition to any prog music collection
Buzzle: Sanity Is A Band With Great Promise As Their New DVD/CD Set Will Attest...

Please visit www.sanity.nl for more and complete reviews. - (USA)


Discography

2000 - Beyond Believe (EP)
2003 - The Demo (Demo-CD + Video-CD)
2003 - Sanity (EP)
2004 - Live A Live Radio Show (Live Demo-EP)
2005 - Live At 22 (Live DVD + CD)

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

Sanity plays straightforward symphonic, melodic rock with a touch of metal. Emotion is an important part of the songs, characterised by fierce up-tempo pieces, gentle parts and atmospheric, sensitive excesses which seamlessly follow up each other. The attentive listener will definitely recognise influences from bands such as Queensrÿche, Dream Theater and Savatage in Sanity's music. The lyrics of the, mostly original, songs contain subjects such as grief and happiness, and other aspects of human (emotional) life. Autobiographic elements are also included. Sanity's performances are intense and powerful, as well as visually attractive.

Sanity first presented to the public in January 2000. The fundaments of the band’s formation were laid when the members met at a festival. The musicians soon discovered that their ideas levelled and thereafter gathered forces under the name Sanity. From that moment on the band has been working hard on original material. One of the band's achievements was the finals of the 2003 'Parel van de Betuwe' band contest. On very frequent occasions the feedback from the press and crowd has been very positive.

In 2000 Sanity presented its first CD release 'Beyond Believe'. This debut disc contains four songs: ‘My little angel’, ‘Man along the line’, ‘Together as one’ en ‘Victims’,
The CD was recorded at producer Gerdo Nieuwenhuizen's studio in Andel, the Netherlands. The CD was well-received and is being sold at performances and such.

Halfway through 2003, the time was right to draw full attention to Sanity. A double CD-R, titled ‘The Demo’, was created. It not only contained two songs from the CD ‘Beyond Believe and three live tracks recorded during the finals of ‘De Parel van de Betuwe’ contest, but also a video CD. The demo gained a huge popularity, soon resulting in international attention. From all over the globe promo copies were requested and praising reviews emerged in several magazines and e-zines.

Also, other international media seem to have picked up Sanity, having received national airplay in Greece, France, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Canada and the United States.

By the end of August 2003, Sanity recorded a new CD at MBR productions. Besides ‘A Gathering of Souls’, ‘Together as One’, and ‘Stolen from Idols’, this CD contains the song ‘Tribute to Shaffy’, a tribute to Ramses Shaffy – according to the band one of the Netherlands greatest and most beloved chansonniers. The CD was released unsigned and is being distributed in the Netherlands by Coast to Coast. More than 25 regional radio stations have already paid attention and given airplay to this new CD.

In December 2003, Sanity closed a distribution deal with Musea Records in France for the distribution of their latest CD through 200 distributors in more than 50 countries.

During the 2003-2004 season Sanity performed 3-4 times a month on stages in The Netherlands and Belgium.

The ‘kick-of’ of the season 2004-2005 began amongst others with a series of double concerts in Holland with the American band All Too Human, the first booking for a gig in Germany and an invitation to take part in a Metal Festival in the USA.

In January of 2005 the DVD+CD ‘Live At 22’ was released, an integrated registration of the concert that Sanity gave on November 22nd at Twentietoe in Tiel. This release was as well praised a lot by the Dutch and international press.
For distribution again a deal was made with Coast to Coast for the Dutch market and with Musea Records for worldwide distribution.

In April Sanity won the Batlle of Total Music.