Angelic Forces is a band from the North of The Netherlands, they play traditional Heavy Metal, heavily influenced by the 80’s Heavy Metal. Later this month they will release their new album. Recently we spoke with Maurice Gijsman, guitar player in Angelic Forces. Check out the interview below.
TMR: Hello Maurice this is The Metal Resource, how are things going there in the North of The Netherlands?
Very well, we just finished recording our upcoming EP and we have some great festivals planned to play at.
TMR: How did you get into rock/metal?
Everyone its musical journey, eventually we will all end up with the music we like the most. In our case it was metal.
TMR: What is your musical background ?
Our musical background is mainly rock and metal!
TMR: Tell us the brief history of Angelic Forces.
In 2014 bass player Wilco van der Meij decided to leave the Frisian metal band Methusalem. But soon he came with the idea to start another metal band.
Together with our singer and guitarist Harold de Vries (ex-Methusalem) and drummer Rudie Kingma, they started searching for a guitar player to complete the band. Guitarist Maurice Gijsman (ex-L.S.D.) was found to enforce the new band and in the spring of 2015 Angelic Forces was a fact. Since that time we where working hard on a repertoire. On June 2016 we recorded our first single. So in less than a year we were ready to go!
TMR: Why the name Angelic Forces ? Is there a story behind it ?
The name Angelic Forces comes from a Deliverance song called “Slay the wicked”, not only does it sound very cool, it also tells us something about the battle between good and evil, the war that’s going on in the heavenly realms!
TMR: Who writes the music/lyrics in Angelic Forces ? … how do you get in the mood for writing music? And which bands/situations have influenced you for writing music and lyrics ?
We all have our part in the process, but most of the time the writing of songs start out with an idea or some riffs. It also happens that one of the members comes with a complete song. Harold mostly writes the lyrics that contains mainly subject as: hope, doubt, trust and spiritual warfare!
TMR: What are some key principles or philosophies that you hold onto as foundational stones as who you are as a person?
Everyone in the band is a believer, so the Bible is an important foundation to us all, next to how our parents raised us as kids, or what we have learned in the years as a life experience.
TMR: Is there a highlight you will always remember, since the beginning of Angelic Forces?
There are a some highlights, like: our first time in the studio to record our first single, the positive reactions we received worldwide, our first three gigs and the fully equipped dressing room at Rock Alive, hahaha.
TMR: And the worst thing were ? (if there is one)
Not much, but playing in a band is like a marriage, it has its ups and downs sometimes.
TMR: What is your favorite drink and food ?
I can only speak for myself, but I think the rest of the guys will agree.. a fine piece of meat and a nice cold beer!
TMR: So what makes you laugh?
We all are devoted fathers and to see our kids do things or say something that you would not expect of them makes me laugh.
TMR: What is your biggest fear ?
My biggest fear is to outlive my kids.
TMR: What is the last album you bought?
I can only speak for myself on this one, but my latest album I bought was Guardian – First watch.
TMR: What are some of the things you like to do away from the band?
We all have our jobs and family’s beside the band, so…
TMR: Speaking of recording, what can you tell us about your upcoming album [such as the recording process so-far, the songs/lyrics, record label, title, release date etc.]
Well, as I mentioned earlier, we just finished recording our EP. For the recording we went to the Soundlodge studio in Germany, this studio is runned by Jörg Uken. Jörg is also known as the drummer of Nightfall and Storm Warrior. We loved what he did with Anvil and many other bands who recorded there, so that’s why we choose to go and record there also. The EP contains three songs, one song that most of you already know, but was never brought out and two brand new songs. You’re gonna love it! The EP will be official presented to the audience on the My King Rocks festival 24th of April this year.
TMR: About the cover artwork. Do you think it is as important as your music? Does it visualize the lyrics of your songs or what’s the actual story behind its concept?
Yes I think it is, I remember as a kid I ones bought the “Crusader” album of Saxon only because I liked the cover art, luckily for me the album itself is a master peace too, hahaha! So yes, it’s very important. So back to your question, yes our cover art represents everything that Angelic Forces are and we like the old school feel of it.
TMR: How do you promote your band and shows ?
Mainly through multi media.
TMR: Tell us about the hardrock/metal scene in your area please?
The Metal and Hard rock scene is still huge in Friesland, but in Groningen it’s a little bit of the radar.
TMR: What is your favorite concert that you saw and what made it so good?
There are so many, every concert has its own magic!
TMR: What is the most embarrassing music on your phone or in your collection and how do you justify it to others?
I wouldn’t know.
TMR: If you could pick a band to tour with, who would it be? And where would the tour go?
We are not so picky, we would love to tour with every band who wants to bring us on their tour, but one of our heroes of the 80’s would be awesome!
TMR: What is the dumbest question you have ever been asked?
I think that there a no dumb questions, a question that’s considered to be dumb says more about the person who is asking this question than the question itself…
TMR: As a band today, what do you think is the biggest challenge you face?
Our biggest challenge is that we keep writing awesome songs that will keep our fans happy and hopefully ad some more and new fans to our fan base!
TMR: What are the plans for the near future ?
Well, we hope that our EP will bring us a record deal and at least a lot of gigs. But with or without a record deal, we are thinking of bringing out a full length album, but we will see..
TMR: Maurice, thanks for your time and the interview. We wish Angelic Forces all the best … Is there anything you wanna say at last ?
Thanks to our fans for supporting Angelic Forces and we hope to see you at one of our gigs! Keep it true, be proud and play it loud!
Upcoming Shows:
March 24 – My King Rocks, Kollumerzwaag, Netherlands
May 26 – Buma Rock, Anjum, Netherlands
Band Members
Harold de Vries – Lead Vocals/Guitar
Maurice Gijsman – Guitar/Vocals
Wilco van der Meij – Bass/Vocals
Rudie Kingma – Drums
Follow them: Facebook / Website
Video (audio) for ‘Thunder and Lightning’ (preview)
https://www.facebook.com/mykingrocks/videos/1573531439410111/