Pandora’s Key – Yet I Remain

Pandora’s Key
Yet I Remain
Out: January 27^th, 2024
Playing time: 45:20

Metal and the Netherlands. You could write whole books about it. Now a new name has emerged, Pandora’s Key. Although, the band isn’t that new. Founded in 2016, they released their first EP “Prometheus’ Promise” in 2017. In 2019, they performed at FemMe in their home country. But then came Covid. And a series of line-up changes. The sound has also changed over the years. Now, in their eighth year of existence, they have released their debut album “Yet I Remain”.

An intro of more than three minutes. Does that have to be, the listener wonders. But that’s exactly what “1779” is. Rolling thunder, ringing bells, horses clattering and whinnying. Now and again melodies from old folkloristic instruments. OK, that’s roughly how you imagine the atmosphere in that year. I wouldn’t call the track an overture either, as it doesn’t provide a foretaste of what is to come. “De Bockereyder” probably describes a horde (Bokkenrijders, in German Bockreiter) that was active in the area around Limburg in the second half of the eighteenth century. This probably explains the intro a little. In terms of sound, however, the song is completely different. This is Power Metal in pure culture (apart from the spoken introduction in the band’s native language). The interplay between “Beauty and the Beast” (Vera Veldhuizen vs. Rik van Schaaik) can already be clearly heard here, which is also continued later on. “Ariadne” is introduced by rhythmic drums. Later, the guitars bang here too. The drums dominate alongside the vocal parts. “Freedom’s Call” then tends towards the high-speed range. The drums in particular, but also the roasting guitar riffs, are the driving force here, as are the vocals, which sometimes come across as polyphonic vocals. The tempo is also kept up on “Falls The Shadow”. At least in part. Vera’s vocal parts are a little quieter in places. “The Keening” starts as a contemplative piano ballad. Before hectic guitar riffs later shift the atmosphere towards Metal. The song later develops into a Power Metal anthem. But “Kindling Ire” really gets going again, with fast riffs and angry growls. The vocal duel clearly goes to Rik here. “The Flying Dutchman” is a legend about a legendary ghost ship. This is a Folk Metal anthem, in which several instruments from folklore are used. Unfortunately, the line-up list is silent as to who played them. With “Icarus” we stay in the world of legends, this time the Greek one. At the beginning, however, we hear something current, namely spoken lyrics that sound as if they are coming from an aeroplane cockpit. But later on, it’s back to Power Metal. Finally, “Per Ardua” is another straightforward Metal track, a mixture of Power, Melodic and Symphonic Metal adds a certain progressive touch.

On “Yet I Remain”, the Dutch band deal with a variety of different myths and legends. A broad musical spectrum is included. Folk Rock/Metal, Power Metal, Symphonic and sprinkles of Speed Metal. Despite all this diversity, the album sounds like a unified whole. A successful debut album. To launch this album, the band is presenting a special release show in their home town of Breda. This is not to be missed.

Pandora’s Key – De Bockereyder: https://youtu.be/-YrElWfoNIQ?si=dpbDKIqrst-CfNb2

Lineup:

Vera Veldhuizen – Vocals
Rik van Schaaik – Vocals
Sebastiaan Pongers – Guitar
Bram Luiken – Guitar
Regine Lotstra – Bass
Dimmy Marcelissen – Drum

Track list:

• 1779(Intro)
• De Bockereyder
• Ariadne
• Freedom’s Call
• Falls The Shadow
• The Keening
• Kinding Ire
• The Flying Dutchman
•  Icarus
•  Per Ardua