Spoil Engine – Stormsleeper (self-released)

English:CD-review
  Van Muylem    4 februari 2016

Spoil Engine is a band from Belgium and exists more than ten years! and during that time it achieved a lot of beautiful things. They just got the great news that they will perform during The Metal Female Voices Fest in Wieze in October! Time to introduce their EP!


At the end of 2014 singer Niek announced that he would leave the band. Through auditions they found Iris Goessens. Stormsleeper carries 6 tracks, could have been more, but at least we connect to their new sound and are hungry for more and that is always a good sign!

Disconnect is the first bomb, with what I would call a very American sound. The sound is hard and heavy, just as the grunting and screaming, it’s as if a panther is doing a duet with a lion! Music wise it all sounds very professional and that reminds me that they signed before Roadrunner RecordsandSonic Angel!I hear someTool influences in it. I’m pretty sure that this new track will please the fans!  Stormsleeperhas a more melodic start and slowly we hear a cleaner voice and cool backings. Ok, this gives it a more commercial sound, but I love the catchiness of it! The other cool thing is that we hear a lot of changes during the same track: vocals, rhythm, vibes …

At some point it even comes close toMarilyn Mansonand I even hear a horse sound in the guitars. I’m a big fan of melancholic tunes and thus got caught by Weightless. I even hear a very clean and beautiful voice, before it explodes and the raging takes over (with a lot of backings) and a hammering sound. Towards the end we hear more of Iris’ clean voice, giving it a mesmerizing end!Hollow Crown is from the start a bomb, setting fire to the place with now and then a few seconds to catch some breath or enjoy some of the clean parts. I start to notice how good the production is and how good everything blends in! The Verdict has a great sound and will bring more fun on stage! I can hear some screaming out the chorus! The fire within is clearly burning! Why not call it survival of the fittest? Singing Sirens closes this EP, it’s a magical ballad with a melancholic sound and some powerful passages. Because of the different styles of singing I’m asking myself who’s singing next to Iris, but it might be simply some good studio work. Hell, this is simply a fine piece of art!

I am looking forward to see them on stage and hope you do too?

More info about The Metal Female Voices Fest, click here