After AFTER FOREVER co-founder Mark Jansen departed in 2002 to form his own project EPICA with his girlfriend at the microphone stand, fans of the Dutch band held their breath in anticipation. Events could have unfolded in two ways -- either both bands would become uninspired failures, or two stars would shine in the symphonic metal sky where previously there had been only one. Fortunately, the second prophecy came true. The main songwriter in AFTER FOREVER is now Sander Gommans, who has absolutely no intention of surrendering his position -- as the band's fifth, self-titled album proves.
This new work marks a turning point in the Dutch band's career. In 2005, the group left Transmission Records and signed with Nuclear Blast (amusingly, EPICA also signed with the German label the following year). Apparently feeling strong support from the label, the band felt the blood rush through their veins and delivered exceptionally powerful material. Robust symphonic metal with elements of progressive power and... yes, yes!... death metal (which became even more pronounced thanks to frequent use of Sander's growling). The Prague Symphony Orchestra also participated in the recording, lending AFTER FOREVER's symphonicism a more monolithic sound. By the way, to imagine all the aforementioned "aromas of Holland in one bottle," I suggest listening to the track "De-Energized Me" -- if it isn't the catchiest song on the album, it's probably the most representative. And there's a whole array of hits here: take the romantic "Energize," for which a beautiful video was shot with Floor in the role of an elemental; the rhythmic "Equally Destructive" and "Envision"; the epic "Dreamflight"; and the slow "Empty Memories." What's most unique about the record is that absolutely every composition has its own character and amazes with emotional delivery, a credit to both Floor and all the musicians. Every song features an original chorus and an indescribable epic atmosphere.
I'm stating a fact: the blow from the "AFTER FOREVER" Dutch landed right in the solar plexus of their "epic" compatriots, and we'll have to wait until August to see whether, with the release of the new album, this punch becomes a knockdown, a knockout, or whether Mark Jansen's team will capably block the attack -- and perhaps even land a counter uppercut.