VERHALEN / THE CASTLE

This unkown Dutch band came from the city of Enkhuizen, formed in a line-up for live performances in mid-70's with Jan de Jager on keyboards/vocals, Martin Middelkoop on guitar/bass/vocals, Kees Stumpel on drums (having replaced original drummer Hans Vos), Ton Stavenuiter on bass and Matthijs Boertien on guitar.This formation lasted until 1978 and in 1980 Radavique returned with only de Jager and Middelkoop from the original line-up, featuring now John van der Schaaf on drums, Jaap van Zoonen on bass and Jan Koehoorn on keyboards.In 1983 this studio version of Radavique released the single ''Verhalen/The Castle'' on their own Radavique Records.

This single seems to have been made mostly for commercial reasons and has nothing to do with the band's early and reputedly Symphonic Rock sound.''Verhalen'' is a smooth Synth Rock track with very sensitive vocals, a good atmosphere and a mediocre synth solo at the end but featuring a simplistic song structure and total lack of dynamics in general.While ''Verhalen'' is sung in Dutch, the following ''The castle'' is sung in English and follows more or less the same vein.It is definitely more poppy than ''Verhalen'' with an awful chorus, even more limited synth drives and a guitar than you can hardly listen, but even if you do it has almost nothing interesting to offer.Pretty bad piece.

This is definitely a vinyl single only for collectors.Below average, uninspired and far from progressive 80's Synth Rock, which fell into obscurity for more than evident reasons.Not recommended.