After Forever

After Forever
Background information
Origin	Netherlands
Genres	Symphonic metal Progressive metal
Years active	1995 – 2009
Labels	Nuclear Blast
Associated acts	Epica, Ayreon, Star One
Website	www.afterforever.com
Members
Floor Jansen Sander Gommans Luuk van Gerven André Borgman Bas Maas Joost van den Broek
Former members
Mark Jansen Joep Beckers Jack Driessen Lando van Gils

After Forever was a Dutch symphonic metal band with strong progressive metal influences,^[1] relied on the use of both soprano vocals and death grunts. In February 2009 it was announced that they had disbanded.

Biography

After Forever was originally assembled in 1995 under the name Apocalypse,^[2] playing music most oriented towards death metal.^[2] With the joining of vocalist Floor Jansen in 1997, their style shifted slightly to a more symphonic metal sound in order to give emphasis to her voice. Their line-up at this point comprised Floor Jansen, Mark Jansen, Sander Gommans, Luuk van Gerven, Jack Driessen and Joep Beckers.

In 1999 the band begun composing songs of their own and recorded two demos - entitled Ephemeral and Wings Of Illusion - which eventually drew the attention of the Transmission Records label, with whom the band signed a contract.

Their debut album Prison Of Desire was recorded in 2000, featuring the guest appearance of Sharon den Adel. The album obtained impressive success in Europe. In the end of that year, drummer André Borgman and keyboardist Lando van Gils joined the band, replacing Joep Beckers and Jack Driessen.

In 2001, the album Decipher was released. Floor Jansen was invited to guest sing in Ayreon, one of Arjen Anthony Lucassen's projects. In 2002 Mark Jansen was fired from After Forever and subsequently assembled the band Epica,^[3] being replaced by Bas Maas. In 2003, After Forever released the EP and DVD Exordium.

In 2004, the concept album Invisible Circles was released. In this album, After Forever introduced progressive metal elements to their music. The album reached 26th place in the Dutch Top 100 musical chart. Lando van Gils also left the band and was replaced by Joost van den Broek in the same year.

In early September 2005, the band released their fourth album Remagine This album is available in two versions, an SACD with three bonus songs and as a ‘Special Edition’ with a DVD. The DVD contains a photo gallery and a 'making of' documentary.

On March 3, 2006, the band left the Transmission Records label, due to the scarce promotion that the label was providing. Following this, Transmission Records released the Mea Culpa compilation. By October of the same year After Forever had signed to Nuclear Blast Records.

In the end of 2006 the band recorded their 1st album on the Nuclear Blast label, self titled After Forever, it features guest appearances from Annihilator guitarist Jeff Waters and Doro Pesch. Videos of the recording sessions are available for download on the band website. The album was released in April 23, 2007.

In January 2008, After Forever announced on their website that the band would be taking a break of at least a year. In an interview with Ragnarök radio, Floor said the band would get together early 2009 to discuss After Forever's future. ^[4]

On February 5th 2009 , After Forever announced that they decided to call it quits. The break in 2008, and partly 2009, made them realize that they do not feel the energy towards the band anymore. ^[5]

Line-up

Floor Jansen during After Forever concert on Masters of Rock 2007 festival in Zlín.

Final line-up

• Floor Jansen - Lead vocals (1997–2009)
• Sander Gommans - Guitar, grunts (1995–2009)
• Bas Maas – Guitar, vocals (2002–2009)
• Luuk van Gerven - Bass guitar(1996–2009)
• André Borgman - Drums, percussion (2000–2009)
• Joost van den Broek - Keyboards (2004–2009)

Former members

• Mark Jansen - Guitars, grunts (1995–2002)
• Joep Beckers - Drums, percussion (1995–2000)
• Jack Driessen - Keyboards (1995–2000)
• Lando van Gils - Keyboards (2000–2004)

Guests

• Sharon den Adel - Soprano on song "Beyond Me" (Prison Of Desire)
• Melissa 't Hart - Soprano on songs "Mea Culpa", "Leaden Legacy", "Follow In The Cry", "Silence From Afar" and "Yield To Temptation" (Prison Of Desire)
• Simone Simons - Vocals on song "Beyond Me" (Live in Hardenberg 26 December 2007)
• Irene Jansen - Vocals on song "Who I Am" (Live in Tilburg 23 December 2007)
• Doro Pesch - Vocals on song "Who I Am" (Release Party @ Tivoli 17. April 2007 Tilburg)
• Mark Jansen - Guitars and vocals on song "Beyond Me" (Live in Hardenberg 26 December 2007)
• Jeff Waters - Guitars on song "De-Energized" (After Forever)
• Rannveig Sif Sigurdardottir - Mezzo-soprano (After Forever)
• Amanda Somerville - Alto (After Forever)
• Yvonne Rooda - Alto (Prison Of Desire)
• Previn Moore - Bass (After Forever)
• Hans Cassa - Bass (Prison Of Desire)
• Caspar De Jonge - Tenor (Prison Of Desire)

Discography

Studio albums

• Prison Of Desire (2000)
• Decipher (2001)
• Invisible Circles (2004)
• Remagine (2005)
• After Forever (2007)

EPs

• Exordium (2003)

Singles

• "Follow In The Cry" (2000)
• "Emphasis/Who Wants To Live Forever" (2002)
• "Monolith Of Doubt" (2002)
• "My Choice/The Evil That Men Do" (2003)
• "Digital Deceit" (2004)
• "Being Everyone" (2005)
• "Two Sides/Boundaries Are Open" (2006)
• "Energize Me" (2007)
• "Equally Destructive" (2007)

Demos

• Ephemeral (1999)
• Wings Of Illusion (1999)

Compilations

• Mea Culpa (2006)

Interviews

• Interview of Floor Jansen (August 2007) - From www.metal-ways.com
• Ragnarok Radio Interview with Floor Jansen and Lori Linstruth (December 2008)

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: After Forever

• Official website
• After Forever at MySpace
• Pictures of After Forever concerts
• After Forever videography