After Forever

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For the Black Sabbath song, see After Forever (song).
After Forever
After Forever performing on Circo Voador, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
After Forever performing on Circo Voador, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Background information
Origin Netherlands
Genre(s) Symphonic metal
Gothic metal
Progressive metal
Power metal
Years active 1995 – present
Label(s) Nuclear Blast Records
Associated acts Epica
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 is a symphonic metal band from the Netherlands, which relies on the use of both soprano vocals and death grunts. Their music is also influenced by progressive metal and gothic metal.

Contents

[edit] Biography

After Forever was originally assembled in 1995 under the name Apocalypse, playing music most oriented towards death metal. With the joining of vocalist Floor Jansen in 1997, their style shifted slightly to a more gothic 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 quit After Forever and subsequently assembled the band Epica, being replaced by Bas Maas. In 2003 After Forever released the EP and DVD Exordium.

In 2004, the concept album Invisible Circles was released. It 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 year's break from touring, due to Sander's medical condition.

[edit] Line-up

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

[edit] Former members

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

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio albums

[edit] EPs and singles

[edit] Demos

[edit] Compilations

[edit] External links

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