We can say that they have a special bond with the Netherlands and certainly with some very loyal and fanatical fans (Ada, right?) and that means that they have given three shows in our little country. Contrary to my expectation, the first show was immediately in their Second Home, de Boerderij in Zoetermeer. Then a few shows in Germany and also one in Arnhem. This performance was the last one in Holland during their mini tour and so surprisingly enough in Uden, so far unknown to them. I chose this one myself because of the distance and the fact that it was on Friday. I did wonder if three times wasn't to much, but the fact that there were about four hundred people proved me wrong.

However, it was not as if there were no new songs to be heard at all. The advanced new single Behind the Mirror was played somewhere halfway and promises a lot of good for the new album. It is a somewhat shorter song but it does contain all the Mystery features and of course a wonderful solo by Michel St. Pere. This man plays so very well and is also the big engine of this Canadian machine, well-oiled machine I may say because this band plays so damn tight. This gig was no exception. They played 4 songs of the newly offered album Beneath the Veil of Winter's Face. The Scarlett Eye, The Awakening, The Sailor and the Mermaid and of course the rocky The Preacher's Fall. The Willow Tree was the longest track of the set.

To achieve and maintain this level as a whole, a rhythm section is needed that can handle that. Well there is. Drummer Jean Sebastien Goyette is not called “animal” for nothing because his playing is powerful, varied and above all super tight. His super enthusiastic reactions during the concert are wonderful and clearly sincere. On the other hand, bassist Francois Fournier is usually quite calm, but is so important for this band's drive. If you look closely you can see his almost swinging playing and here and there he is allowed to play the leading role. Moreover, with his humorous announcements he is an absolute added value during the never disappointing gigs of Mystery.

The last man on stage this time was Johnny Maz who replaced Antoine Michaud who had to miss this tour. Maz is a great keyboard player who shows his quality in Huis, but also makes good progress with his band Code18. But in this case he had to settle for a very modest role because, and that is the only downside with Mystery for me, in general, the keys could play a more prominent role to restore the balance with the overwhelming guitar playing. But of course the lush keyboards could be heard continuously and together with the bass pedals they provided a nice full and heavy background.