Saint and Dog With A Spoon

Saint and Dog With A Spoon

Ons Dorp, March 16th, 2025

Emmer-Compascuum, Netherlands

' Saint's First Dutch Show: A Night of White Metal in Emmer-Compascuum

After a long train ride from Tilburg to Emmen, where I was picked up and taken to the small village of Emmer-Compascuum, I finally arrived at the venue—smack in the middle of nowhere, haha! The location? Ons Dorp, a cozy and intimate setting that would soon be filled with metalheads from all over the Netherlands and Germany.

Upon arrival, I had some great conversations with the event staff and the guys from Saint. For those unfamiliar, Saint is an American metal band with Christian lyrics. In the Netherlands, we often refer to this style as White Metal. The band was formed in 1982 and has since released a whopping 14 studio albums. Yet, incredibly, this night marked their first-ever performance in the Netherlands—a long-overdue debut for this legendary band!

The Gig: Heavy Metal Passion with a Few Hiccups

As the show kicked off, there were some technical difficulties, but these were quickly resolved. Once things were running smoothly, the small venue became a powerhouse of energy, with fans eagerly awaiting the heavy riffs and high-pitched vocals that define Saint's sound. Their music has often been compared to Judas Priest, and for good reason—the fast, melodic riffs and soaring vocals were on full display this evening.

Saint's new singer, Eli Prinsen, was performing only his second show with the band, but you wouldn't have known it. He delivered a solid performance, handling both old and new material with confidence. The setlist featured songs spanning Saint's entire career, but there was one track that stood out in terms of crowd response: "Too Late for Living", the title track from their 1988 album. This was the one song where the audience really came alive, singing along in union.

Despite their long history, it seemed like much of the Dutch audience was still discovering Saint's music. Nevertheless, the band played with passion and dedication, proving why they have remained a force in the metal scene for over four decades.

An Odd Choice for a Support Act?

One thing I found a bit puzzling was the choice of support act. The opening band, Dog With A Spoon, played punk rock with a style reminiscent of Green Day. They put on a good show and had a cool energy, but their sound was a stark contrast to the heavy, melodic metal of Saint. It felt like an unusual combination, and while I enjoyed their set, Saint was the real reason I was here.

Post-Show: Meeting the Band & Wrapping Up

After their performance, the members of Saint took the time to chat with fans, sign autographs, and take photos. It's always great to see bands that truly appreciate their supporters, and Saint certainly made an effort to connect with the audience.

Once the band headed off to their hotel, I stayed behind to help the organization with tearing down the setup. By the time everything was packed away, it was 3:00 AM, and I finally crashed into bed after a long but incredible day.

A huge shoutout to Abhay, the staff, and everyone involved for their hospitality and hard work in making this event happen. It was a fantastic night of heavy metal history, and I'm grateful to have been part of it. Here's hoping Saint returns to the Netherlands for another round in the future!'

-Patchman Marco-