In every evolutionary process, the steady progression from generation to generation eventually reaches a stage where anomalies and mutations give rise to entirely new, unknown species. It is precisely at this apex that the German-language music landscape finds itself in 2017: no term could describe the headstrong sound of the southern German newcomer trio as perfectly as the title VAN HOLZEN have chosen for their debut album. On 'Anomalie', the band defies all previous norms and forms with their oldschool-meets-newschool mix that is reduced to the essentials and immediately gripping - after the alternative rock three-piece from Ulm already made a name for themselves in mid-2016 with their 'VAN HOLZEN' EP as well as support shows for Biffy Clyro, Madsen and Papa Roach, VAN HOLZEN now present their impatiently awaited first longplayer 'Anomalie'!
Frontman/guitarist Florian Kiesling, bassist Jonas Schramm and drummer Daniel Kotitschke already got together in 2009, at that time under a different name, under which they played more than 250 concerts. Their first early influences were as different as the three VAN HOLZEN guys themselves: Slipknot, Foo Fighters and Biffy Clyro. Stylistic points of reference that are only marginally reflected today in their signature sound, which is unique in this country. Because what was yesterday is irrelevant today. Only the present counts for the three 16 and 17 year old musicians, who are completely re-positioning themselves with VAN HOLZEN. New beginning. New paths. New impulses. New hardness. "We make German rock," says frontman Florian succinctly. "Reduced, honest, handmade. I need something to blow off steam. To let off steam. To channel my anger. VAN HOLZEN is the perfect medium for that."
On 'Anomaly,' the band draws from the primordial soup of modern rock and metal: Deftones, Tool, Kyuss, Biffy Clyro - VAN HOLZEN is the next link in a long chain of development that is now finding its footing in German climes for the first time. Razor-sharp in-your-face riffs grind into the brain like rusty nails, all-flattening hooks alternate with groove elements dosed with mathematical precision, while the feverishly brooding vocals draw gloomy black-and-white contrasts from the experiential reality of a lost generation. Aggression and rage as the biggest driving force that feeds VAN HOLZEN's very special sound aesthetic. From simple means the band piles up hard sounds to a literal massif; rugged, stony, with sharp break-off edges and deep abysses. Nevertheless, the band is always in motion; in constant evolution. VAN HOLZEN are looking for the perfect in the imperfect. Unpredictable, dangerous and off all common parameters.
A highly explosive mixture, which VAN HOLZEN have already extensively tested live on German audiences: During celebrated support shows in front of Biffy Clyro, Papa Roach, Madsen, Wanda, Turbostaat or Emil Bulls, the band has refined, polished and modified their brand new songs again and again, and finally immortalized them on record with producer Philipp Koch (who in turn was also responsible for the debut EP), Simon Jäger (Casper, Blackmail, Guano Apes) and Kurt Ebelhäuser (who worked on selected songs as an important impulse generator within the recording sessions). Despite their youthful age, VAN HOLZEN present themselves on their album debut with a confident maturity and detachment that one would usually expect from a band that has been established for years in their mid-creative period.
Lyrics source and more information about this event: https://batschkapp.tickets.de/de/events/9192-VAN_HOLZEN
