Elegy is a Dutch progressive metal band, that started out in the mid 80's. They play highly technical, yet melodic metal with haunting vocals. Elegy have survived numerous line-ups, tiny style changes, but still remains one of the best bands in their genre. They can be compared to Dream Theater, Vanden Plas and Stratovarius.

LABYRINTH OF DREAMS (1992) T&T

What a killer debut album this must have been (and still is, by the way). This took me by surprise, though I had all the other discs by the band from before. I think 'Labyrinth Of Dreams' is a better disc that its successor. Elegy are highly technical and progressive, yet keep the song-structure on a very melodic path. It's almost like crossing the more commercial bands, like Whitesnake & TNT, with progressive bands, like Vanden Plas. A very unique sound, that appeals to me massively. The 'secret' lies in Mr. Van Der Laars guitar-virtuoso. Buy this one, if you find it! My version is a reissue, without any lyrics in the booklet.

Killer tracks: Over And Out, Labyrinth Of Dreams, The Grand Change

SUPREMACY (1994) T&T

Second Elegy disc, and the first one I obtained. A much harder album than the once to succeed it, and not so progressive. This one doesn't prepare you for what's to come, but a darn good album never the less. Non of the songs really stick out, 'cause the album is to anonymous, but I remember liking "Circles In The Sand".

Killer tracks: Circles In The Sand

LOST (1995) T&T

Elegy at it's best. Vocalist Eduard Hovinga, sounds like TNT's Tony Harnell. This is very melodic, yet very technical metal. Henk Van Der Laars just rules with his guitar-playing skills. In my opinion this record, and their next set the standard in this genre. A MUST!!

Killer tracks: Lost, Everything, Under God's Naked Eye

PRIMAL INSTINCT (1996) T&T (EP, CDR)

To showcase their new singer, Ian Parry, Elegy release this cool EP. What you get is 5 tracks redone in acoustic versions. All of the songs sound good, but my favorite tracks are "Always With You" and "Erase Me". Too bad it's such a hard EP to get a hold of. I have to settle for this CDR until I can score an original CD.

STATE OF MIND (1997) T&T

Second killer disc in a row for Elegy. I switch between this one and 'Lost' in what's my favorite Elegy album. New vocalist, Ian Parry, ads a tiny bit of raw edge to the music. But Elegy keep their melodic song-structure. Another MUST!!

Killer tracks: Visual Vortex, Destiny Calling, State Of Mind

MANIFESTATION OF FEAR (1998) T&T

We get a darker Elegy on this album. It's the Elegy disc I listen the least to, though it's still a good album. It's just that the songs are harder to tell apart, and Elegy has made much better discs than this. This was supposed to be a return to the old Elegy, but I don't agree that it sounds quite like 'Supremacy'. Maybe their first album is more in the same vain as this. Have to get that disc some day.

Now I have the first disc, and it's a much better disc than this one!

Killer tracks: Angel Without Wings

FORBIDDEN FRUIT (2000) T&T

Frontman Henk Van Der Laars quit during the recording of this album. So although he has written many of the songs, French guitar-virtuoso Patrick Rondat takes his place in the band. The album is in the similar style as the previous, but maybe not as dark. Patrick is a very skilled guitar-player, but there is something about loosing the 'head' of a band that just doesn't taste the same. Of course this is a very good album too, I just wish they would go back to the 2 killer discs for inspiration again. Günter Werno from Vanden Plas guests on this album. My CD is a digi-pack special edition with 3 bonus-tracks.

Killer tracks: Icehouse, 'Til Eternity, Behind The Tears

PRINCIPLES OF PAIN (2002) LOCOMOTIVE

One of the negative aspects of being a metalholic is that there are too many CD's, and too little time to spend on them all! Well, Elegy delivers yet another nice piece of melodic metal. This also marks the first album that Lars van der Henk is total absent from the liner-notes. Still the band sounds like Elegy in my ears. 'Principle Of Pains' is also the bands most accessible release in many years. Note, I didn't say commercial. But the song structure is easier to get into. Also worth noticing is the guest appearance of their former singer, Eduard Hovinga on a few tracks. Not sure what's up with the "bonus track", as it seems to be on all the CD's I've seen. I've always said that these guys have had some similarities with TNT, but on this release I think they sound more akin to bands like Balance Of Power.

Killer tracks: The Inner Room, Walking Nightmare, Silence In The Wind, A Childs Breath

Ian Parry guest appearances

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