After Forever

Infobox musical artist
Name = After Forever

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Img_capt = After Forever performing on Circo Voador, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Landscape = Yes
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Origin = Netherlands
Genre = Symphonic metal, Power metal, Gothic metal, Progressive metal
Years_active = 1995 – present
Label = Nuclear Blast
Associated_acts = Epica Ayreon Star One
URL = [http://www.afterforever.com www.afterforever.com]
Current_members = Floor Jansen Sander Gommans Luuk van Gerven André Borgman Bas Maas Joost van den Broek
Past_members = Mark Jansen Joep Beckers Jack Driessen Lando van Gils

After Forever is a Dutch symphonic metal band, relies on the use of both soprano vocals and death grunts. Their music is also influenced by power metal, progressive metal and gothic metal. [ [http://www.metalreview.com/975/After-Forever-Exordium.aspx MetalReview.com - Review of After Forever - Exordium ] ]

Biography

After Forever was originally assembled in 1995 [http://www.metal-invader.com/db/reviews-3673.html Metal Invader ( After Forever - After Forever ) Review ] ] 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.

Line-up

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

Former members

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

Discography

tudio albums

*"Prison of Desire" (2000)
*"Decipher" (2001)
*"Invisible Circles" (2004)
*"Remagine" (2005)
*"After Forever" (2007)

EPs and singles

*"Follow in the Cry" (2000)
*"Emphasis/Who Wants To Live Forever" (2002)
*"Monolith Of Doubt" (2002)
*"Exordium" (2003)
*"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

* [http://www.metal-ways.com/83/4/interview-after-forever-de-vorstin-hilversum.html Interview of Floor Jansen (August 2007)] - From [http://www.metal-ways.com www.metal-ways.com]

References

External links

* [http://www.afterforever.com/ Official website]
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* [http://www.metal-ways.com/bands/1/after-forever.html/ Pictures of After Forever concerts]