In 2024 the session band “Dudok”, consisting of participants from the Hilversum art and music scene, released several songs which place a spotlight on the darker side of the Hilversum’s history. The town anniversary takes place on September 10th, 2024. A date at which Hilversum exists for exactly 600 years, 6 months, and 6 days. The occasion of this sinister anniversary warrants the creation of three fitting tracks.

On the eve of its one-year anniversary, Award Winning Records will happily re-issue these 3 tracks as the compilation “Groeten uit Helversum”.

The track “Fakkel op de Brink” highlights the devastating fires that hit the Grote Kerk (the central church) in Hilversum. Written from the perspective of a dark entity that intentionally started these fires, this song immerses the listener in the dark forces that have plagued the church over the centuries. With influences from Scandinavian black metal with a modern twist, “Fakkel op de Brink” brings an intense and ominous history to life.

Then, “De Kermisrellen van 1899” captures the chaos that broke out when the municipality decided to cancel the annual county fair. The anger of the Hilversum population led to riots, which shook the village to its core. The blast of energy which is the track “De Kermisrellen van 1899”, represents these riots in under a minute.

On the track “Groesthoer”, the Groest, one of Hilversum’s most famous streets, is personified as a prostitute. She seduces visitors to spend their money on lewd pleasures. A mix of sludge, grunge, and metal, “Groesthoer” captures the atmosphere of the vibrant but often turbulent nightlife occurring in this street.

About The Band

Dudok is named after the famous architect Willem Dudok. He played an important role in the development of Hilversum. The band focuses on highlighting the raw, unpolished history of the town itself. By combining historical and contemporary themes with powerful music genres, Dudok offers a different, darker view of Hilversum.