Kev Rowland To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the final album by After Forever it has just been reissued by Nuclear Blast on vinyl and CD along with an additional bonus cut and new notes by the band members themselves. They may have only released five albums, but there is no doubt the band had a huge impact on the progressive metal scene, with founder Mark Jansen leaving after the second album to create Epica while singer Floor Jansen has of course now cemented her place as frontwoman of Nightwish. Having not played this album for some considerable time I had forgotten just how good it is. Floor has long been one of the most incredible singers around, and here she is involved with music which is complex but more metallic than her current outfit. When guitarist Sander Gommans comes in with the harsh vocals it is absolutely brutal, providing huge contrast.

Some songs, such as “Withering Time” do contain more operatic and classical sections, but they are a band who originally started playing much heavier music and it is the metal which often shines through. “De-Energized” is metal to the core, with just a few symphonic overtones, and when Floor finally makes her entrance, she has a driving metallic gothic core to place her vocals against, while Sander is most definitely making his presence felt on this one. With the very high profile these days of Floor and her performances with Nightwish, there is no doubt that this reissue will get far more attention than the original did when it came out all those years ago, and rightly so. I first came across them with their second album, ‘Decipher’, back in 2001 and never felt they gained the respect they deserved. Perhaps fifteen years down the track the time is now right for their music to be re-evaluated, and this is a definite goodie.

Vobiscum Until the quality because it is a "Demo" (1999) is not bad. The songs that make up the "Demo" later made ​​part of the first album, "Prison of Desire", released a year later (2000).

"Ephemeral" reflects its name, so fleeting that when you start to like it, has ended. It has only three minutes long. "Jack Driessen" on the keyboard creating a melancholy sound, while "Joep Beckers" awakens his drum.

"Black Tomb" also has its beginnings in arrangements based soft keyboard and guitar fingerings that do not linger in distorting. The way to "Floor Jansen" singing evokes an oriental sound (1:47 / 2:11). For those who just wanted to hear the sweet voice of "Floor", is surprised with the throaty vocals (3:00 / 3:12), followed by an instant hardcore (3:54 / 4:20), returning then that sound oriental.

"Tortuous Threnody" is another amazing song sequences with their riffs. "Gommans / M. Jansen" on guitars and guttural rock. It is impossible to remain indifferent to the sound created by them. Amid the calm brought by the voice of "Floor", two guitar solos played at the same time create a harmony so nice to hear. For those who never heard the album "Prison of Desire" and listen to this "Demo", hear the entire album containing these tracks and more.

"Inimical Chimera" concludes what is undoubtedly one of the best "Demo" ever produced by a band. There is no way to say "After Forever" is a copy of any other band's style, for although every band in the world suffer some kind of influence of another, yet what they have built here is not something conventional.

It is an enhanced sound. Voices, guitars, bass, keyboard and drums. If the "Demo" is all about, then what about the album "Prison of Desire"?

Vobiscum With the launch of the concept album "Invisible Circles", the band decided to launch a "Single" to promote the record.

They selected four songs and added an interview. "Digital Deceit" which gives its name to "Single" is the first track. A strong composition with a more direct sound. "Floor Jansen" is highlighted by the timbre of the voice switch as they change the characters existing in the album. The guitar riffs, the bass is in contrast to explode in the technical quality squandered by "Floor Jansen."

"Eccentric" with its tone of bitterness because of the lyrical context, where there is neglect and indifference of parents for their daughter. "Lando van Gils - Keyboardist" helps with your chords and creativity to the sad mood of the lyrics.

"Sins of Idealism" is presented by the bass of "Luuk van Gerven." Again "Floor Jansen" stands alternating singing techniques as a mother and daughter who plays in their dialogues. "Bas Maas" and "Sander Gommans" move the music with their riffs, while "Lando van Gils" is instructed to elevate the drama with his synthesizers. "André Borgman" little required, complete the team.

"Blind Pain" already allows "Andre Borgman" build your name in the band. "Sander Gommans" is responsible for vocals screaming. With rhythmic passages, fast, heavy, this song is a spectacle.

In short, this "single" beautifully expresses the power existing in the album "Invisible Circles" and each track serves to demonstrate the technical quality of its members. Recommended.

Vobiscum In the same year launched the "Ep - Exordium" containing "The Evil That Men Do", also released a "Single" containing the same music.

Some "Singles" are only for the most devout fans who wish to own the entire discography of your favorite band.

The "Single - My Choice / The Evil That Men Do" is a good example. It comprises two versions of a song "My Choice", the regular version and the acoustic version. There's also "My Pledge of Allegiance # 1" from the album "Decipher", plus an interview about sixteen minutes.

For a fan this "Single" can be a gift but for those who do not have much appreciation, is an unnecessary release.

Vobiscum This "Single" is composed of four songs. Originally the four tracks should belong to the album "Decipher", but withdrew in the final production the song "For the Time Being," which later served as a bonus.

There is no difference of version of "Monolith of Doubt (single version)" placed here and the existing version on the original album. This song was chosen for a propaganda and dissemination of the band.

There is not very plausible explanation for having taken "For the Time Being" from the album "Decipher", placing it as a bonus only in certain countries. Space would be easy for her ... "Mark Jansen" at the height of his screaming vocals, choirs ... why?

One of their songs most used in "Singles" with so many possible versions that would to record a "Ep" only with them. "Imperfect Tenses (Orchestral version)" is launched with the only difference between parentheses. If you are a fan of the band, it's worth, but now if a listener looking for some sound to hear, the "Single" is unnecessary.