Ex Libris (band)
| Ex Libris | |
|---|---|
 Ex Libris in London in 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Erinyen |
| Origin | Boxtel, North Brabant, Netherlands |
| Genres |
Symphonic metal Progressive metal Gothic metal |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | Independent |
| Associated acts | Xandria |
| Website |
www |
| Members |
Dianne van Giersbergen Koen Stam Bob Wijtsma |
| Past members |
Bram van Breugel Eva Albers Joost van de Pas Paul van den Broek Eelco van der Meer Peter den Bakker |
Ex Libris (Latin for from the books), is a Dutch band symphonic/progressive metal band, founded in 2004 by frontwoman Dianne van Giersbergen and former drummer Joost van de Pas.
Biography
Formation (2003)
After graduating with a Bachelor's and a Master's degree at the ArtEZ school, and perfecting the combination of classical techniques and progressive metal sounds, Dianne van Giersbergen along drummer Joost van de Pas formed a band under the name Erinyen
Their aim: to make progressive, symphonic metal with classical influences.[1]
Name change and debut album (2004-2008)
With their first proper line-up complete in 2004 with current guitarist Paul van den Broek and keyboardist Koen Stam, and the named "Erinyen" was then change to Ex Libris.
In 2005, they released their 4-song demo "Drawn". Released independently under their new name.
They later started playing more and more shows and bassist Peter den Bakker then joined the band during the recordings of their debut album.
"Amygdala" was released in 2008, the album features 2 demo track from "Drawn", finalized, "Dawn of Sugars" and "Breath with Me".
The album was well received, with bigger shows as a result. More people took notice, and supported shows with other Dutch symphonic metal bands like Epica, Stream of Passion and ReVamp, took the band to greater heights.
They also played more and more shows abroad, in countries like Germany, France, Belgium and most recently the United Kingdom with Delain.
Line-up Changes and New album Medea (2011-present)
In 2011, Ex Libris returned to studio and recorded a 3-track demo "Medea" for their upoming album of said name.
Early 2013, Joost van de Pas was replaced by drummer Eelco van der Meer, who toured with Stream of Passion in 2012.[2]
Around the same, Dianne was announced as the new frontwoman for German symphonic metal band Xandria, right after the departure of Manuela Kraller. But keeps she keeps her commitment as the frontwoman for Ex Libris.[3]
The new album "Medea", is a 60+ minutes full concept album about the Greek tragedy of Medea and her lover Jason. The album was being funded on the IndieGogo campaign with the goal of €2,000, which was successful and passed the goal with €3,549.[4]
The album was released on January 2014 independently with a release party on the same day.
On June 2014, drummer Eelco van der Meer departed from Ex Libris, and the band said there is no point on disbanding and will continue in music.[5]
Reviews
'..the variations keep your attention; it's like a bag with a lot of different exciting candy..' (Sonic Cathedral)
‘And she is called Dianne van Giersbergen, a young woman who has nothing to envy to the biggest names of the genre.’ (La Grosse Radio)
‘Ex Libris moves into uncharted territory..' (Heavy Law)
‘The combination of bombastic progressive metal and the classical interpretation of Dianne van Giersbergen is rock solid.’ (Utrecht Roxx)
'..As a measure of how impressive they were, the merch stand was pretty much cleaned out within a few minutes of their set ending.' (PlanetMosh.com)
Discography
- Demos
- Studio albums
- Amygdala (2008)
- Medea (2014)
Line-up
|
|