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{{Short description|Dutch metal band}}
{{About|the band|their 2007 album|After Forever (album)|the Black Sabbath song|After Forever (song)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{Other uses}}
⚫
| name = After Forever
{{Lead too short|date=August 2024}}
| image = Masters of Rock 2007 - After Forever - 07.jpg
{{Infobox musical artist
⚫
| caption = After Forever live at the [[Masters of Rock (festival)|Masters of Rock]] festival in 2007.
| image_size = 300
| name = After Forever
⚫
| image = Masters of Rock 2007 - After Forever - 07.jpg
| landscape = Yes
⚫
| caption = After Forever live at the [[Masters of Rock (festival)|Masters of Rock]] festival in 2007
| background = group_or_band
| alias = Apocalypse (1995)
| landscape = Yes
| origin = [[North Brabant]], [[Netherlands]]
| alias = Apocalypse (1995)
| genre = {{flatlist|
| origin = [[North Brabant]], Netherlands
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Symphonic metal]]
* [[Symphonic metal]]
* [[gothic metal]]
* [[gothic metal]]
Line 15: Line 16:
* [[power metal]]
* [[power metal]]
}}
}}
| years_active = 1995–2009
| years_active = 1995–2009
| label = {{flatlist|
| label = {{flatlist|
* Transmission
* Transmission
* [[Nuclear Blast]]
* [[Nuclear Blast]]
}}
}}
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
| spinoffs = {{flatlist|
* [[Epica (band)|Epica]]
* [[MaYaN]]
* [[MaYaN]]
* [[Star One (band)|Star One]]
* [[ReVamp]]
* [[ReVamp]]
* [[Nightwish]]
}}
}}
| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080822104101/http://www.afterforever.com/ www.afterforever.com]
| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080822104101/http://www.afterforever.com/ www.afterforever.com]
| current_members =
| current_members =
| past_members = {{plainlist|
| past_members = {{plainlist|
* [[Sander Gommans]]
* [[Sander Gommans]]
* [[Mark Jansen]]
* [[Mark Jansen]]
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}}
}}


'''After Forever''' was a [[Netherlands|Dutch]] [[symphonic metal]] band with strong [[progressive metal]] influences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalreview.com/975/After-Forever-Exordium.aspx |title=Archived copy |access-date=July 5, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117100203/http://metalreview.com/975/After-Forever-Exordium.aspx |archive-date=January 17, 2008 }}</ref> The band relied on the use of both [[soprano]] vocals and [[death growl]]s.
'''After Forever''' was a Dutch [[symphonic metal]] band with strong [[progressive metal]] influences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalreview.com/975/After-Forever-Exordium.aspx |title=Metal Reviews - Review of After Forever - Exordium |access-date=5 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117100203/http://metalreview.com/975/After-Forever-Exordium.aspx |archive-date=17 January 2008 }}</ref> The band relied on the use of both [[soprano]] vocals and [[death growl]]s.


In February 2009, it was announced that After Forever had disbanded. Singer [[Floor Jansen]] and keyboardist Joost van den Broek both collaborated again in [[ReVamp]] and [[Star One (band)|Star One]], before Jansen eventually joined [[Nightwish]] as lead singer in 2013. Former rhythm guitarist [[Mark Jansen]] founded [[Epica (band)|Epica]] in 2002 after his departure from After Forever and, in 2010, founded [[Mayan (band)|MaYaN]], which included former After Forever members [[Sander Gommans]] and [[Jack Driessen]]. [[Floor Jansen]] has appeared as a session or live vocalist for both Epica and MaYaN.
In February 2009, it was announced that After Forever had disbanded. Singer [[Floor Jansen]] and keyboardist Joost van den Broek both collaborated again in [[ReVamp]] and [[Star One (band)|Star One]], before Jansen eventually joined [[Nightwish]] as lead singer in 2013. Former rhythm guitarist [[Mark Jansen]] founded [[Epica (band)|Epica]] in 2002 after his departure from After Forever and, in 2010, founded [[Mayan (band)|MaYaN]], which included former After Forever members [[Sander Gommans]] and [[Jack Driessen]]. [[Floor Jansen]] has appeared as a session or live vocalist for both Epica and MaYaN.


==History==
==History==
===First years and ''Prison Of Desire'' (1995–2000)===
'''After Forever''' was originally assembled in 1995, under the name ''Apocalypse''. They were originally a death metal cover band with harsh male vocals.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.metal-invader.com/db/reviews-3673.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=July 5, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110065324/http://www.metal-invader.com/db/reviews-3673.html |archive-date=November 10, 2007 }}</ref> With the joining of vocalist [[Floor Jansen]] in 1997, their style and sound shifted towards [[symphonic gothic metal]], in order to give emphasis to her soprano voice, in contrast with the grunts and screams provided by [[Sander Gommans]] and [[Mark Jansen]]. Their line-up at this point comprised Floor Jansen, Mark Jansen, Sander Gommans, Luuk van Gerven, [[Jack Driessen]] and Joep Beckers. Soon, the band began composing their own songs, and then they changed their name to ''After Forever''. In 1999, the band recorded two [[demo (music)|demo]]s entitled ''Ephemeral'' and ''Wings of Illusion'', which drew the attention of the Dutch [[Transmission Records]] label, with whom the band signed a contract.
'''After Forever''' was originally assembled in 1995, under the name ''Apocalypse''. They were originally a gothic metal cover band with harsh male vocals.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.metal-invader.com/db/reviews-3673.html |title=Metal Invader ( After Forever - After Forever ) Review |access-date=5 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110065324/http://www.metal-invader.com/db/reviews-3673.html |archive-date=10 November 2007 }}</ref> With the joining of vocalist [[Floor Jansen]] in 1997, their style and sound shifted towards [[symphonic gothic metal]], in order to give emphasis to her soprano voice, in contrast with the grunts and screams provided by [[Sander Gommans]] and [[Mark Jansen]]. Their line-up at this point comprised Floor Jansen, Mark Jansen (no relation to Floor), Sander Gommans, Luuk van Gerven, [[Jack Driessen]] and Joep Beckers. Soon, the band began composing their own songs, and then they changed their name to ''After Forever'', after the [[Black Sabbath]] song. In 1999, the band recorded two [[demo (music)|demos]] entitled ''Ephemeral'' and ''Wings of Illusion'', which drew the attention of the Dutch [[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]] of the Dutch band [[Within Temptation]] on the song "Beyond Me". The album obtained very good reviews in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalcrypt.com/pages/review.php?revid=815 |title=Review: After Forever - Prison Of Desire |access-date=2010-04-01 |last=Betteiger |first=Paul |date=2003-04-05 |publisher=The Metal Crypt }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaldiscoveries.com/reviews/aftfor.htm#POD |title=After Forever |access-date=2010-04-01 |last=Elliot |first=R.W. |date=2004-06-16 |publisher=Musical Discoveries }}</ref> By the end of the year, drummer André Borgman and keyboardist Lando van Gils joined the band, replacing Joep Beckers and Jack Driessen.
Their debut album ''[[Prison of Desire]]'' was recorded in 2000, featuring a guest appearance of [[Sharon den Adel]] of the Dutch band [[Within Temptation]] on the song "Beyond Me". The album obtained very good reviews in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalcrypt.com/pages/review.php?revid=815 |title=Review: After Forever - Prison Of Desire |access-date=1 April 2010 |last=Betteiger |first=Paul |date=5 April 2003 |publisher=The Metal Crypt }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaldiscoveries.com/reviews/aftfor.htm#POD |title=After Forever |access-date=1 April 2010 |last=Elliot |first=R.W. |date=16 June 2004 |publisher=Musical Discoveries }}</ref> By the end of the year, drummer André Borgman and keyboardist Lando van Gils joined the band, replacing Joep Beckers and Jack Driessen.


During the year 2000, Floor Jansen was invited to guest sing in [[Ayreon]]'s ''[[Universal Migrator Part 1: The Dream Sequencer]]'' album. Ayreon is the most successful of the many projects by Dutch guitarist [[Arjen Anthony Lucassen]] and that album is only the first of many other collaborations with Floor Jansen.
During the year 2000, Floor Jansen was invited to guest sing in [[Ayreon]]'s ''[[Universal Migrator Part 1: The Dream Sequencer]]'' album. Ayreon is the most successful of the many projects by Dutch guitarist [[Arjen Anthony Lucassen]] and that album is only the first of many other collaborations with Floor Jansen.


===''Decipher'' and departure of Mark Jansen (2001–2002)===
In 2001, the band released the album ''[[Decipher (After Forever album)|Decipher]]'', which featured for the first time live classical instruments and a live choir. The complex arrangements of the new compositions pushed After Forever's music even more towards the symphonic metal genre.
In 2001, the band released the album ''[[Decipher (After Forever album)|Decipher]]'', which featured for the first time live classical instruments and a live choir. The complex arrangements of the new compositions pushed After Forever's music even more towards the symphonic metal genre.


By the end of 2001, After Forever appeared as rising stars on the dynamic scene of Dutch metal, which included bands like [[The Gathering (band)|The Gathering]], [[Within Temptation]], [[Gorefest]] and [[Ayreon]].<ref>{{cite web | url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p557370|pure_url=yes}} | title = After Forever Biography | access-date =22 May 2010 | last = Rivadavia | first = Eduardo | publisher = [[AllMusic]]}}</ref> Their second album ''[[Decipher (After Forever album)|Decipher]]'' (2001) had received very positive reviews<ref name=dec1 >{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r635829|pure_url=yes}} |title=Decipher review |access-date=7 May 2010 |last=Rivadavia |first=Eduardo |publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref><ref name=dec2 >{{cite web|url=http://www.metalcrypt.com/pages/review.php?revid=4211 |title=After Forever - Decipher review |access-date=7 May 2010 |last=Griffin |first=Larry |date=29 September 2008 |publisher=The Metal Crypt.com }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://metalitalia.com/album/after-forever-decipher/ |title=After Forever - Decipher recensione |access-date=7 May 2010 |last=Macinanti |first=Lorenzo |publisher=Metal Italia.com |language=it }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalstorm.net/pub/review.php?review_id=19 |title=After Forever - Decipher review |access-date=7 May 2010 |last=Congrains |first=Kike |date=26 August 2003 |publisher=[[Metal Storm (webzine)|Metal Storm]] }}</ref><ref name=dec3 >{{cite web|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?albumid=4060 |title=After Forever - Decipher review |access-date=7 May 2010 |date=23 November 2005 |publisher=Sputnikmusic }}</ref> and their name was well known in the underground scene of the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.metal-rules.com/metalnews/2007/10/11/after-forever-floor-jansen/ | title = Floor Jansen interview 2007| access-date =23 May 2010 | date = 11 October 2007 | publisher = Metal-Rules.com Zine}}</ref> Critics were impressed by the remarkable musicianship of the young members of the band and in particular by [[Floor Jansen]]'s vocals, both in studio and in live performances.<ref name=dec1 /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.progvisions.nl/concerts_uk/af02_uk.htm | title = After Forever at Piorno Rock Festival | access-date =22 May 2010 | last = Villen | first = Germàn | date = April 2002 | publisher = ProgVisions.net}}</ref> In contrast with these premises for a bright future, the relationships within the band were not so idyllic. Soon after the release of ''Decipher'', After Forever faced a strong creative contrast between founding member and guitarist [[Mark Jansen]] and the rest of the band.<ref name=face1 >{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJaCZR5FFtY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/TJaCZR5FFtY| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title= Interview After Forever - Sander Gommans |access-date=15 June 2016 | year= 2005| work = FaceCulture | publisher = [[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Mark Jansen had been the main composer of the band together with [[Sander Gommans]] and his love for movie soundtracks and classical music had had a strong influence on the musical style of After Forever’s first two albums, ''[[Prison of Desire]]'' (2000) and ''Decipher''.<ref name=MJ >{{cite web|url=http://www.epica.nl/?page=band&show=members&sub=2 |title=Mark Jansen profile |access-date=9 May 2010 |date=12 April 2006 |publisher=Epica Official Website }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=176&Itemid=36 | title = Epica Interview 2006 | access-date = 22 May 2010 | last = Grant | first = Sam | publisher = Sonic Cathedral WebZine | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090529074452/http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=176&Itemid=36 | archive-date = 29 May 2009 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Moreover, his interest for religious and moral themes had characterized his lyrics for many songs, often collected under a common title (e.g. ''The Embrace That Smothers'' and ''My Pledge of Allegiance'').<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEG_z-e52OE | title = Epica interview - Mark Jansen (part 4) | access-date =15 June 2016 | year=2007 |work = FaceCulture | publisher = [[YouTube]]}}</ref> In the next album, Mark Jansen meant to further explore complex interactions between classical instruments, choruses in Latin and [[death metal]] elements,<ref name =mark >{{cite web |url=http://www.tartareandesire.com/interviews/saharadust.html |title=Interview with the Dutch gothic metal band Sahara Dust |access-date=1 April 2010 |date=July 2002 |publisher=Tartarean Desire Webzine |archive-date=6 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606103813/http://www.tartareandesire.com/interviews/saharadust.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=jansen >{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaldiscoveries.com/reviews/epica.htm |title=Epica / The Phantom Agony |access-date=9 May 2010 |last=Elliot |first=Russell W. |date=2 March 2004 |publisher=Musical Discoveries }}</ref> while Gommans and the others preferred a more direct and aggressive approach to music, retaining some elements that made the sound of the band recognizable, but expanding it in new and different directions.<ref name=face1 /> These musical differences led to Mark Jansen leaving the band, in what he felt as an actual dismissal.<ref name =mark /><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imPgfKKVWP8 | title = Epica interview - Mark Jansen (part 1)| access-date =15 June 2016 | year=2007| work = FaceCulture | publisher = [[YouTube]]}}</ref> Upon his departure, Jansen quickly formed another band called Sahara Dust, which later developed into the symphonic metal band [[Epica (band)|Epica]].<ref name =mark /> In a 2007 interview, Jansen described his departure from After Forever as coming as a shock to him at the time, with the news of his dismissal being delivered to him by fellow band members shortly before a band rehearsal. At the time of his dismissal, the band were preparing to participate in a series of major tours and concerts such as [[Pinkpop Festival|Pinkpop]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Epica interview - Mark Jansen (part 1) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imPgfKKVWP8 |website=YouTube | date=31 August 2011 |publisher=FaceCulture |access-date=29 May 2021}}</ref>
In 2002 Mark Jansen, one of the main composers and founder of the band, was fired from After Forever and subsequently assembled the band [[Epica (band)|Epica]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tartareandesire.com/interviews/saharadust.html |title=Sahara Dust |access-date=2010-04-01 |date=July 2002 |publisher=Tartarean Desire Webzine |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606103813/http://www.tartareandesire.com/interviews/saharadust.html |archive-date=2011-06-06 }}</ref> where he continued to pursue the combination of symphonic metal with death metal elements, already present in the first two albums by After Forever. He was replaced by Bas Maas, who had been a roadie for the band for years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popinstituut.nl/biografie/after_forever.9052.html |title=After Forever (1996 - 2009) |access-date=2010-04-02 |publisher=Muziek Centrum Nederland |language=nl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070815235752/http://www.popinstituut.nl/biografie/after_forever.9052.html |archive-date=2007-08-15 }}</ref> In 2003, the new line-up of After Forever released the EP and DVD ''[[Exordium (EP)|Exordium]]''.


Jansen's place was taken by Bas Maas, who had been the guitar technician for After Forever during the tours of 2001 and 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popinstituut.nl/biografie/after_forever.9052.html |title=After Forever (1996 - 2009) |access-date=2 April 2010 |publisher=Muziek Centrum Nederland |language=nl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070815235752/http://www.popinstituut.nl/biografie/after_forever.9052.html |archive-date=15 August 2007 }}</ref> August and September 2002 were dedicated to a European tour, supporting Finnish act [[Nightwish]] and attending some rock festivals,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nightwish-world.com/website/html/biographie.php |title=Nightwish biography |access-date=8 May 2010 |year=2007 |publisher=Nightwish World.com |archive-date=7 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007090948/http://www.nightwish-world.com/website/html/biographie.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> which exposed the band to larger audiences and gained them even more favourable press.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metalflames.iespana.es/english/concerts/nightwish.htm |title=Nightwish + After Forever + Charon |access-date=9 May 2010 |last=Jiménez |first=Jorge |publisher=Metalflames.iespana.es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091218092700/http://metalflames.iespana.es/english/concerts/nightwish.htm| archive-date=18 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nightwish-world.com/website/html/magazine.php |title=Nightwish World fanzine |access-date=9 May 2010 |publisher=Nightwish World.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100505064310/http://www.nightwish-world.com/website/html/magazine.php <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=5 May 2010 }}</ref> Further media exposure came from Floor Jansen's collaboration with Dutch multi-instrumentalist and composer [[Arjen Anthony Lucassen]], for the recording of [[Star One (band)|Star One]]'s album ''[[Space Metal (Star One album)|Space Metal]]'' and the subsequent tour in late 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arjenlucassen.com/starone/so_index.html |title=Star One |access-date=9 May 2010 |last=Lucassen |first=Arjen |publisher=Arjenlucassen.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723133432/http://www.arjenlucassen.com/content/arjens-projects/star-one/ |archive-date=23 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalfan.nl/concertreviews.php?id=41 |title=Star One featuring Ayreon |access-date=9 May 2010 | last = Westerbeke | first = Tonnie |date=3 October 2002 |publisher=Metalfan.nl |language=nl }}</ref>
⚫
In 2004, the concept album ''[[Invisible Circles]]'' was released. The album, that deals with childhood traumas and abuse, introduced [[progressive metal]] elements to the music of After Forever and the use of a clean male voice. The album reached No. 24 in the Dutch Top 100 musical chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=After+Forever&titel=Invisible+Circles&cat=a |title=AFTER FOREVER - INVISIBLE CIRCLES (ALBUM) |access-date=2010-04-02 |publisher=Dutch Charts.nl |language=nl }}</ref> In the same year, Lando van Gils also left the band and was replaced by Joost van den Broek, a keyboard player that Floor Jansen had met during her tour with [[Star One (band)|Star One]], another project by Arjen Lucassen.


===''Exordium'' and ''Invisible Circles'' (2003–2004)===
⚫
In early September 2005, the band released their fourth album ''[[Remagine]]''. The album was produced using pre-recorded drum tracks by André Borgman, who had to take a long leave of absence to cure his illness. The songs of the album are simpler and more straightforward than in the previous albums, preserving anyway the usual dual voice dynamic in the sound of the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faceculture.com/artist.php?id=209 |title=Sander Gommans |access-date=2010-04-02 |date=2007-11-08 |publisher=FaceCulture.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710215630/http://www.faceculture.com/artist.php?id=209 |archive-date=2011-07-10 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=167&Itemid=5 |title=After Forever - Remagine |access-date=2010-04-02 |last=Grant |first=Sam |date=2005-12-11 |publisher=Sonic Cathedral.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723003039/https://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=167&Itemid=5 |archive-date=2011-07-23 }}</ref>
Floor Jansen's activities, as well as the regular jobs and studies of the After Forever band members, reduced the band's live performances for the rest of 2002 and half of 2003. It was known that the band was working at a new album from the beginning of 2003,<ref name=sam >{{cite web |url=http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=1 |title=After Forever interview 2003 |access-date=9 May 2010 |last=Grant |first=Sam |date=23 April 2003 |publisher=Sonic Cathedral WebZine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609090105/http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=1 |archive-date=9 June 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but their first release was the EP ''[[Exordium (EP)|Exordium]]'' in October 2003, containing an instrumental track, three new songs and two covers.
In Jansen’s words "the EP ''Exordium'' was like an introduction to this new full length album and the subjects of the lyrics are already connected to the concept (...) meaning they are also dealing with modern, social problems".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.metalstorm.net/pub/interview.php?interview_id=38 | title = After Forever interview | access-date =16 May 2010 | last = Congrains | first = Kike | date = 7 April 2004 | publisher = [[Metal Storm (webzine)|Metal Storm]]}}</ref>


⚫
In 2004, the concept album ''[[Invisible Circles]]'' was released. The album, that deals with childhood traumas and abuse, introduced [[progressive metal]] elements to the music of After Forever and the use of a clean male voice. The album reached No. 24 in the Dutch Top 100 musical chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=After+Forever&titel=Invisible+Circles&cat=a |title=AFTER FOREVER - INVISIBLE CIRCLES (ALBUM) |access-date=2 April 2010 |publisher=Dutch Charts.nl |language=nl }}</ref> In the same year, Lando van Gils also left the band and was replaced by Joost van den Broek, a keyboard player that Floor Jansen had met during her tour with [[Star One (band)|Star One]], another project by Arjen Lucassen.
⚫
On 3 March 2006 the band left the Transmission Records label, due to the scarce promotion that the label was providing to their albums.<ref name=sander >{{cite web|url=http://www.rockezine.com/asp/rez_ainterview.asp?ID=460&interview=After%20Forever%20with%20Sander%20Gommans |title=After Forever with Sander Gommans |access-date=2010-04-02 |last=Vermeere |first=Ralph |date=2007-05-21 |publisher=Rockezine.com }}</ref> Following this departure, Transmission Records released the ''[[Mea Culpa (album)|Mea Culpa]]'' compilation, with plenty of rarities and B-sides. By October the same year, After Forever had signed to the German label [[Nuclear Blast|Nuclear Blast Records]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Zack | last=D. | title=After Forever Sign to Nuclear Blast and Start Recording New Album | date=2006-11-07 | publisher=Metal Underground.com | url =http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=22698 | access-date = 2010-04-01 }}</ref>


===''Remagine'' and signing to Nuclear Blast (2005–2006)===
⚫
In the end of 2006 the band recorded their final and only album on the Nuclear Blast label, self-titled ''[[After Forever (album)|After Forever]]''. It features guest appearances from [[Annihilator (band)|Annihilator]] guitarist [[Jeff Waters]] and [[Doro (musician)|Doro Pesch]]. Videos of the recording sessions were available for download on the band's website. The album was released on 23 April 2007.
⚫
In early September 2005, the band released their fourth album ''[[Remagine]]''. The album was produced using pre-recorded drum tracks by André Borgman, who had to take a long leave of absence to cure his illness. The songs of the album are simpler and more straightforward than in the previous albums, preserving anyway the usual dual voice dynamic in the sound of the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faceculture.com/artist.php?id=209 |title=Sander Gommans |access-date=2 April 2010 |date=8 November 2007 |publisher=FaceCulture.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710215630/http://www.faceculture.com/artist.php?id=209 |archive-date=10 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=167&Itemid=5 |title=After Forever - Remagine |access-date=2 April 2010 |last=Grant |first=Sam |date=11 December 2005 |publisher=Sonic Cathedral.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723003039/https://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=167&Itemid=5 |archive-date=23 July 2011 }}</ref>


⚫
On 3 March 2006 the band left the Transmission Records label, due to the scarce promotion that the label was providing to their albums.<ref name=sander >{{cite web|url=http://www.rockezine.com/asp/rez_ainterview.asp?ID=460&interview=After%20Forever%20with%20Sander%20Gommans |title=After Forever with Sander Gommans |access-date=2 April 2010 |last=Vermeere |first=Ralph |date=21 May 2007 |publisher=Rockezine.com }}</ref> Following this departure, Transmission Records released the ''[[Mea Culpa (album)|Mea Culpa]]'' compilation, with plenty of rarities and B-sides. By October the same year, After Forever had signed to the German label [[Nuclear Blast|Nuclear Blast Records]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Zack | last=D. | title=After Forever Sign to Nuclear Blast and Start Recording New Album | date=7 November 2006 | publisher=Metal Underground.com | url =http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=22698 | access-date = 1 April 2010 }}</ref>
⚫
In January 2008, After Forever announced on their website, that the band would be taking a break of at least a year, mainly to assess the health problems of vocalist and guitarist Sander Gommans, who had been absent during most of the tour supporting the album ''[[After Forever (album)|After Forever]]''.<ref name=sander /> In an interview with Ragnarök radio, Floor said the band would get together early 2009 to discuss After Forever's future.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ragnarokradio.co.uk/2008/12/women-in-metal-part-1-floor-jansen-and-lori-linstruth.html |title=Episode 30 - Women In Metal Part One |access-date=2010-04-01 |date=2008-12-12 |publisher=Ragnarok Radio |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418033905/http://www.ragnarokradio.co.uk/2008/12/women-in-metal-part-1-floor-jansen-and-lori-linstruth.html |archive-date=2009-04-18 }}</ref>


===''After Forever'', hiatus and disbandment (2007–2009)===
⚫
On 5 February 2009, After Forever announced that they decided to call it quits.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afterforever.com/ |title=After Forever quits |access-date=2010-04-02 |date=2009-02-05 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100328010448/http://www.afterforever.com/| archive-date= 28 March 2010 }}</ref> The long break, during 2008 and 2009, had made them realize that they did not feel the passion towards the band any longer.<ref>{{cite news|title=After Forever disbands after nearly fifteen years |date=2009-02-06 |publisher=Drummerszone.com |url=http://www.drummerszone.com/news/newsItem.php?n01ID=6755&type=2 |access-date=2010-04-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719132026/http://www.drummerszone.com/news/newsItem.php?n01ID=6755&type=2 |archive-date=2011-07-19 }}</ref>
⚫
In late 2006 the band recorded what would be their final album, as well as their only album to be released through Nuclear Blast, the self-titled ''[[After Forever (album)|After Forever]]''. It features guest appearances from [[Annihilator (band)|Annihilator]] guitarist [[Jeff Waters]] and [[Doro (musician)|Doro Pesch]]. Videos of the recording sessions were available for download on the band's website. The album was released on 23 April 2007.


⚫
In January 2008, After Forever announced on their website, that the band would be taking a break of at least a year, mainly to assess the health problems of vocalist and guitarist Sander Gommans, who had been absent during most of the tour supporting the album ''[[After Forever (album)|After Forever]]''.<ref name=sander /> In an interview with Ragnarök radio, Floor said the band would get together early 2009 to discuss After Forever's future.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ragnarokradio.co.uk/2008/12/women-in-metal-part-1-floor-jansen-and-lori-linstruth.html |title=Episode 30 - Women In Metal Part One |access-date=1 April 2010 |date=12 December 2008 |publisher=Ragnarok Radio |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418033905/http://www.ragnarokradio.co.uk/2008/12/women-in-metal-part-1-floor-jansen-and-lori-linstruth.html |archive-date=18 April 2009 }}</ref>
⚫
After the split up of the band, Sander Gommans published in 2009 the album ''[[System Overload (album)|System Overload]]'' with his solo project [[HDK (band)|HDK]] and continues working as a high school art teacher. Floor Jansen started a new band called [[ReVamp]] and signed a contract with [[Nuclear Blast]] in 2010 for their first eponymous album,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.revampmusic.com/news/02-12-2010/floor-jansen-signs-up-with-nuclear-blast-for-her-n/ |title=News: Floor Jansen signs up with Nuclear Blast for her new band ‘ReVamp' |access-date=2010-04-02 |last=Jansen |first=Floor |date=2010-02-12 |publisher=Revampmusic.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100219010447/http://www.revampmusic.com/news/02-12-2010/floor-jansen-signs-up-with-nuclear-blast-for-her-n/ |archive-date=19 February 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> then from late 2012 to summer 2013 she toured with [[Nightwish]] and later became the permanent lead singer of the band.<ref>{{cite web|title=Press Statement|url=http://nightwish.com/en/news?month=10&year=2012|work=Nightwish official website|access-date=1 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625170454/http://nightwish.com/en/news?month=10&year=2012|archive-date=25 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>


⚫
On 5 February 2009, After Forever announced that they decided to call it quits.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afterforever.com/ |title=After Forever quits |access-date=2 April 2010 |date=5 February 2009 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100328010448/http://www.afterforever.com/| archive-date= 28 March 2010 }}</ref> The long break, during 2008 and 2009, had made them realize that they did not feel the passion towards the band any longer.<ref>{{cite news|title=After Forever disbands after nearly fifteen years |date=6 February 2009 |publisher=Drummerszone.com |url=http://www.drummerszone.com/news/newsItem.php?n01ID=6755&type=2 |access-date=1 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719132026/http://www.drummerszone.com/news/newsItem.php?n01ID=6755&type=2 |archive-date=19 July 2011 }}</ref>
⚫
Joost van den Broek collaborated with both Gommans and Jansen on their new musical projects, meanwhile producing the Christmas Metal Symphony shows in 2008 and 2009<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myspace.com/christmasmetalsymphony |title=Christmas Metal Symphony |access-date=2010-04-02 |date=2009-11-04 |publisher=MySpace.com }}</ref> and [[Stream of Passion]]'s second album ''[[The Flame Within]]''. Guitarist Bas Maas joined the live band supporting German hard rock singer [[Doro (musician)|Doro Pesch]] in 2008.


===Subsequent activities (2009–2017)===
==Musical style==
After the split up of the band, Sander Gommans released the album ''[[System Overload (album)|System Overload]]'' in 2009 with his solo project [[HDK (band)|HDK]], followed by ''[[Serenades of the Netherworld]]'' in 2014. He also created [[Magic-O-Metal]], a metal/comic project for children, and works as a high school art teacher.
{{Empty section|date=October 2013}}
<!--Instrumentation style, lyrical style, and influences are all important-->


⚫
Floor Jansen started a new band called [[ReVamp]], which got signed by [[Nuclear Blast]] and released the albums ''[[ReVamp (album)|ReVamp]]'' in 2010 and ''[[Wild Card (ReVamp album)|Wild Card]]'' in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.revampmusic.com/news/02-12-2010/floor-jansen-signs-up-with-nuclear-blast-for-her-n/ |title=News: Floor Jansen signs up with Nuclear Blast for her new band 'ReVamp' |access-date=2 April 2010 |last=Jansen |first=Floor |date=12 February 2010 |publisher=Revampmusic.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100219010447/http://www.revampmusic.com/news/02-12-2010/floor-jansen-signs-up-with-nuclear-blast-for-her-n/ |archive-date=19 February 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The band was on hold for a while after the release of ''ReVamp'' because of Jansen's health problems and her subsequent recruitment as the new lead singer for Nightwish.<ref>{{cite web|title=Press Statement|url=http://nightwish.com/en/news?month=10&year=2012|work=Nightwish official website|access-date=1 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625170454/http://nightwish.com/en/news?month=10&year=2012|archive-date=25 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Jansen's involvement with Nightwish ultimately caused ReVamp to call it quits.
==Personnel==

⚫
Joost van den Broek collaborated with both Gommans and Jansen on their new musical projects, while also leading several symphonic/crossover projects, particularly the Christmas Metal Symphony shows in 2008 and 2009<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myspace.com/christmasmetalsymphony |title=Christmas Metal Symphony |access-date=2 April 2010 |date=4 November 2009 |publisher=MySpace.com }}</ref> and [[Stream of Passion]]'s second album ''[[The Flame Within]]''. He has since focused mostly on composing and studio work, but sporadically performs live, mainly as a session member of [[Ayreon]] and [[The Gentle Storm]].

Bas Maas joined the live band supporting German hard rock singer [[Doro (musician)|Doro Pesch]] in 2008.

Both André Borgman and Luuk van Gerven joined Robby Valentine's live band while After Forever was on hiatus. Borgman also joined [[Amanda Somerville|Amanda Somerville's]] band [[Trillium (band)|Trillium]] in 2017, thereby reuniting with his former band mate Sander Gommans.

===Reunion (2025)===
On 23 October 2024, the band announced that they will be performing two shows in October 2025 in celebration of the band's 25th anniversary. The line-up during these two shows are set to consist of Sander Gommans, Bas Maas, Luuk van Gerven, André Borgman, Mark Jansen, Jeffrey Revet and Angel Wolf-Black.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mark Jansen's Pre-Epica Band After Forever To Reunite For Special 25th-Anniversary Concert |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/mark-jansens-pre-epica-band-after-forever-to-reunite-for-special-25th-anniversary-concert |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=25 October 2024 |language=en |date=23 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=After Forever - Programma |url=https://www.013.nl/programma/95780/after-forever |website=013 Poppodium Tilburg |access-date=25 October 2024 |language=nl}}</ref>

==Band members==


[[Image:Masters of Rock 2007 - Floor Jansen - 05.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Floor Jansen during After Forever concert on [[Masters of Rock (festival)|Masters of Rock 2007]] festival in [[Zlín]].]]
[[Image:Masters of Rock 2007 - Floor Jansen - 05.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Floor Jansen during After Forever concert on [[Masters of Rock (festival)|Masters of Rock 2007]] festival in [[Zlín]].]]


;Final line-up
;Final line-up
* [[Floor Jansen]] - lead vocals <small>(1997&ndash;2009)</small>
* [[Floor Jansen]] – lead vocals <small>(1997–2009)</small>
* [[Sander Gommans]] - lead guitar, vocals, screams <small>(1995&ndash;2009)</small>
* [[Sander Gommans]] – lead guitar, vocals, screams <small>(1995–2009)</small>
* Bas Maas - rhythm guitar, vocals, screams <small>(2002&ndash;2009)</small>
* Bas Maas – rhythm guitar, vocals <small>(2002–2009)</small>
* Luuk van Gerven - bass guitar <small>(1996&ndash;2009)</small>
* Luuk van Gerven – bass guitar <small>(1996–2009)</small>
* André Borgman - drums, percussion <small>(2000&ndash;2009)</small>
* André Borgman – drums, percussion <small>(2000–2009)</small>
* Joost van den Broek - keyboards <small>(2004&ndash;2009)</small>
* Joost van den Broek – keyboards <small>(2004–2009)</small>


;Previous members
;Previous members
* [[Mark Jansen]] - rhythm guitar, vocals, screams <small>(1995&ndash;2002)</small>
* [[Mark Jansen]] – rhythm guitar, vocals, screams <small>(1995–2002)</small>
* Joep Beckers - drums, percussion <small>(1995&ndash;2000)</small>
* Joep Beckers – drums, percussion <small>(1995–2000)</small>
* [[Jack Driessen]] - keyboards <small>(1995&ndash;2000)</small>
* [[Jack Driessen]] – keyboards <small>(1995–2000)</small>
* Lando van Gils - keyboards <small>(2000&ndash;2004)</small>
* Lando van Gils – keyboards <small>(2000–2004)</small>


;Guests
;Guests
* [[Sharon den Adel]] - guest vocals on song "Beyond Me" (''[[Prison of Desire]]'')
* [[Sharon den Adel]] – guest vocals on song "Beyond Me" (''[[Prison of Desire]]'')
* Melissa 't Hart - soprano on songs "Mea Culpa", "Leaden Legacy", "Follow in the Cry", "Silence From Afar" and "Yield to Temptation" (''[[Prison of Desire]]'')
* Melissa 't Hart – soprano on songs "Mea Culpa", "Leaden Legacy", "Follow in the Cry", "Silence From Afar" and "Yield to Temptation" (''[[Prison of Desire]]'')
* [[Simone Simons]] - vocals on song "Beyond Me" (Live in [[Hardenberg]] 26 December 2007)
* [[Simone Simons]] – vocals on song "Beyond Me" (Live in [[Hardenberg]] 26 December 2007)
* [[Irene Jansen]] - vocals on song "Who I Am" (Live in [[Tilburg]] 23 December 2007)
* [[Irene Jansen]] – vocals on song "Who I Am" (Live in [[Tilburg]] 23 December 2007)
* George Oosthoek - vocals on the 2007 tour, replacing Sander Gommans
* George Oosthoek – vocals on the 2007 tour, replacing Sander Gommans
* [[Doro (musician)|Doro Pesch]] - vocals on song "Who I Am" (Release Party @ Tivoli 17. April 2007 [[Tilburg]])
* [[Doro (musician)|Doro Pesch]] – vocals on song "Who I Am" (Release Party @ Tivoli 17. April 2007 [[Tilburg]])
* [[Mark Jansen]] - rhythm guitar and vocals on song "Beyond Me" (Live in [[Hardenberg]] 26 December 2007)
* [[Mark Jansen]] – rhythm guitar and vocals on song "Beyond Me" (Live in [[Hardenberg]] 26 December 2007)
* [[Arjen Anthony Lucassen]] - guitars on song "Who Wants to Live Forever" ("[[Emphasis/Who Wants to Live Forever]]")
* [[Arjen Anthony Lucassen]] – guitars on song "Who Wants to Live Forever" ("[[Emphasis/Who Wants to Live Forever]]")
* [[Damian Wilson]] - vocals on song "Who Wants to Live Forever" ("[[Emphasis/Who Wants to Live Forever]]")
* [[Damian Wilson]] – vocals on song "Who Wants to Live Forever" ("[[Emphasis/Who Wants to Live Forever]]")
* [[Jeff Waters]] - guitars on song "De-Energized" (''[[After Forever (album)|After Forever]]'')
* [[Jeff Waters]] – guitars on song "De-Energized" (''[[After Forever (album)|After Forever]]'')
* Rannveig Sif Sigurdardottir - mezzo-soprano vocal (''[[After Forever (album)|After Forever]]'')
* Rannveig Sif Sigurdardottir – mezzo-soprano vocal (''[[After Forever (album)|After Forever]]'')
* [[Amanda Somerville]] - alto vocal (''[[Remagine]], [[After Forever (album)|After Forever]]'')
* [[Amanda Somerville]] – alto vocal (''[[Remagine]], [[After Forever (album)|After Forever]]'')
* Yvonne Rooda - alto vocal (''[[Prison of Desire]]'')
* Yvonne Rooda – alto vocal (''[[Prison of Desire]]'')
* Caspar De Jonge - tenor vocal (''[[Prison of Desire]]'')
* Caspar De Jonge – tenor vocal (''[[Prison of Desire]]'')
* Previn Moore - bass vocal (''[[After Forever (album)|After Forever]]'')
* Previn Moore – bass vocal (''[[After Forever (album)|After Forever]]'')
* Hans Cassa - bass vocal (''[[Prison of Desire]]'')
* Hans Cassa – bass vocal (''[[Prison of Desire]]'')
* [[Marko Hietala]] - guest vocals on single version of "Face Your Demons" (''[[Mea Culpa (album)|Mea Culpa]]'')
* [[Marko Hietala]] – guest vocals on single version of "Face Your Demons" (''[[Mea Culpa (album)|Mea Culpa]]'')


===Timeline===
===Timeline===
{{#tag:timeline|
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20
ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20
PlotArea = left:110 bottom:90 top:10 right:10
PlotArea = left:110 bottom:90 top:0 right:10
Alignbars = justify
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Line 127: Line 141:


Colors =
Colors =
id:Vocals value:red legend:Vocals
id:Vocals value:red legend:Clean_vocals
id:LGuitar value:teal legend:Lead_guitar
id:Growls value:claret legend:Harsh_vocals
id:RGuitar value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar
id:LGuitar value:teal legend:Lead_guitar
id:Keyboard value:purple legend:Keyboards
id:RGuitar value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar
id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:Keyboard value:purple legend:Keyboards
id:Album value:black legend:Studio_album
id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:bars value:gray(0.95)
id:Album value:black legend:Studio_album

BackgroundColors = bars:bars


LineData =
LineData =
Line 150: Line 162:
bar:Mark text:"Mark Jansen"
bar:Mark text:"Mark Jansen"
bar:Bas text:"Bas Maas"
bar:Bas text:"Bas Maas"
⚫
bar:Sander text:"Sander Gommans"
⚫
bar:Luuk text:"Luuk van Gerven"
bar:Jack text:"Jack Driessen"
bar:Jack text:"Jack Driessen"
bar:Lando text:"Lando van Gils"
bar:Lando text:"Lando van Gils"
bar:Joost text:"Joost van den Broek"
bar:Joost text:"Joost van den Broek"
⚫
bar:Sander text:"Sander Gommans"
⚫
bar:Luuk text:"Luuk van Gerven"
bar:Joep text:"Joep Beckers"
bar:Joep text:"Joep Beckers"
bar:Andre text:"André Borgman"
bar:Andre text:"André Borgman"
Line 162: Line 174:
bar:Floor from:01/01/1997 till:end color:Vocals
bar:Floor from:01/01/1997 till:end color:Vocals
bar:Sander from:01/01/1996 till:end color:LGuitar
bar:Sander from:01/01/1996 till:end color:LGuitar
bar:Sander from:01/01/1995 till:end color:Vocals width:3
bar:Sander from:01/01/1995 till:end color:Growls width:3
bar:Sander from:01/01/1995 till:01/01/1996 color:Bass
bar:Sander from:01/01/1995 till:01/01/1996 color:Bass
bar:Mark from:01/01/1995 till:01/01/1996 color:LGuitar
bar:Mark from:01/01/1995 till:01/01/1996 color:LGuitar
bar:Mark from:01/01/1995 till:01/01/1996 color:RGuitar width:7
bar:Mark from:01/01/1995 till:01/01/1996 color:RGuitar width:7
bar:Mark from:01/01/1996 till:06/30/2002 color:RGuitar
bar:Mark from:01/01/1996 till:06/30/2002 color:RGuitar
bar:Mark from:01/01/1995 till:06/30/2002 color:Vocals width:3
bar:Mark from:01/01/1995 till:06/30/2002 color:Growls width:3
bar:Bas from:06/30/2002 till:end color:RGuitar
bar:Bas from:06/30/2002 till:end color:RGuitar
bar:Bas from:06/30/2002 till:end color:Vocals width:3
bar:Bas from:06/30/2002 till:end color:Vocals width:3
Line 187: Line 199:
! scope="col" colspan="6" | Peak chart positions
! scope="col" colspan="6" | Peak chart positions
|-
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |NLD<br/><ref name="nld">{{cite web|author=Steffen Hung |url=http://dutchcharts.nl/search.asp?search=After+Forever&cat=a |title=Dutch Charts |website=Dutchcharts.nl |access-date=2016-06-20}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |NLD<br/><ref name="nld">{{cite web|author=Steffen Hung |url=http://dutchcharts.nl/search.asp?search=After+Forever&cat=a |title=Dutch Charts |website=Dutchcharts.nl |access-date=20 June 2016}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |GER<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.de/suche.asp?search=after+forever&x=0&y=0&country=de|title=charts.de|access-date=13 September 2014}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |GER<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.de/suche.asp?search=after+forever&x=0&y=0&country=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906202736/http://www.officialcharts.de/suche.asp?search=after+forever&x=0&y=0&country=de|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 September 2014|title=charts.de|access-date=13 September 2014}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |FRA<br/><ref>{{cite web|author=Steffen Hung |url=http://lescharts.com/search.asp?search=after+forever&cat=a |title=Les charts français |website=Lescharts.com |date=2007-04-28 |access-date=2016-06-20}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |FRA<br/><ref>{{cite web|author=Steffen Hung |url=http://lescharts.com/search.asp?search=after+forever&cat=a |title=Les charts français |website=Lescharts.com |date=28 April 2007 |access-date=20 June 2016}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |BEL (FL)<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/search.asp?search=after+forever&cat=a |title=Ultratop Belgian Charts |website=Ultratop.be |access-date=2016-06-20}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |BEL (FL)<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/search.asp?search=after+forever&cat=a |title=Ultratop Belgian Charts |website=Ultratop.be |access-date=20 June 2016}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |BEL (WA)<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/search.asp?search=after%20forever&cat=a |title=Ultratop Belgian Charts |website=Ultratop.be |access-date=2016-06-20}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |BEL (WA)<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/search.asp?search=after%20forever&cat=a |title=Ultratop Belgian Charts |website=Ultratop.be |access-date=20 June 2016}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |JPN<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/34608/ranking/cd_album/|title=アフター・フォーエヴァーのCDアルバムランキング │オリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE|work=ORICON STYLE|access-date=13 September 2014}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |JPN<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/34608/ranking/cd_album/|title=アフター・フォーエヴァーのCDアルバムランキング │オリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE|work=ORICON STYLE|access-date=13 September 2014}}</ref>
|-
|-
Line 223: Line 235:
* Re-release: 21 November 2015
* Re-release: 21 November 2015
* Label: Transmission
* Label: Transmission
* Formats: CD, [[Super audio CD|SACD]], CD+[[DVD]]
* Formats: CD, [[Super Audio CD|SACD]], CD+[[DVD]]
|| 21 || — || — || 55 || 96 || —
|| 21 || — || — || 55 || 96 || —
|-
|-
Line 289: Line 301:
!rowspan=2|Album
!rowspan=2|Album
|- style="vertical-align:top;line-height:1.2"
|- style="vertical-align:top;line-height:1.2"
!width=25px|<small>NLD</small><br /><ref>{{cite web|author=Steffen Hung |url=http://dutchcharts.nl/search.asp?search=After+Forever&cat=s |title=Dutch Charts |website=Dutchcharts.nl |access-date=2016-06-20}}</ref>
!width=25px|<small>NLD</small><br /><ref>{{cite web|author=Steffen Hung |url=http://dutchcharts.nl/search.asp?search=After+Forever&cat=s |title=Dutch Charts |website=Dutchcharts.nl |access-date=20 June 2016}}</ref>
|-
|-
|2000
|2000
Line 297: Line 309:
|-
|-
|rowspan=2|2002
|rowspan=2|2002
|align=left|"[[Emphasis (After Forever song)|Emphasis]]" / "[[Who Wants to Live Forever]]"
|align=left|"Emphasis" / "[[Who Wants to Live Forever]]"
|| —
|| —
|rowspan=2|''Decipher''
|rowspan=2|''Decipher''
|-
|-
|align=left|"[[Monolith of Doubt]]"
|align=left|"Monolith of Doubt"
|| —
|| —
|-
|-
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|-
|-
|rowspan=2|2007
|rowspan=2|2007
|align=left|"[[Energize Me]]"
|align=left|"Energize Me"
|| 94
|| 94
|rowspan=2|''After Forever''
|rowspan=2|''After Forever''
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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
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[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2009]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2009]]
[[Category:Dutch gothic metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Dutch gothic metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Dutch musical sextets]]
[[Category:Mixed-gender bands]]

Latest revision as of 19:12, 25 December 2024

For other uses, see After Forever (disambiguation).
After Forever
After Forever live at the Masters of Rock festival in 2007
After Forever live at the Masters of Rock festival in 2007
Background information
Also known asApocalypse (1995)
OriginNorth Brabant, Netherlands
Genres
Years active1995–2009
Labels
Spinoffs
Past members
Websitewww.afterforever.com

After Forever was a Dutch symphonic metal band with strong progressive metal influences.[1] The band relied on the use of both soprano vocals and death growls.

In February 2009, it was announced that After Forever had disbanded. Singer Floor Jansen and keyboardist Joost van den Broek both collaborated again in ReVamp and Star One, before Jansen eventually joined Nightwish as lead singer in 2013. Former rhythm guitarist Mark Jansen founded Epica in 2002 after his departure from After Forever and, in 2010, founded MaYaN, which included former After Forever members Sander Gommans and Jack Driessen. Floor Jansen has appeared as a session or live vocalist for both Epica and MaYaN.

History

[edit]

First years and Prison Of Desire (1995–2000)

[edit]

After Forever was originally assembled in 1995, under the name Apocalypse. They were originally a gothic metal cover band with harsh male vocals.[2] With the joining of vocalist Floor Jansen in 1997, their style and sound shifted towards symphonic gothic metal, in order to give emphasis to her soprano voice, in contrast with the grunts and screams provided by Sander Gommans and Mark Jansen. Their line-up at this point comprised Floor Jansen, Mark Jansen (no relation to Floor), Sander Gommans, Luuk van Gerven, Jack Driessen and Joep Beckers. Soon, the band began composing their own songs, and then they changed their name to After Forever, after the Black Sabbath song. In 1999, the band recorded two demos entitled Ephemeral and Wings of Illusion, which drew the attention of the Dutch Transmission Records label, with whom the band signed a contract.

Their debut album Prison of Desire was recorded in 2000, featuring a guest appearance of Sharon den Adel of the Dutch band Within Temptation on the song "Beyond Me". The album obtained very good reviews in Europe.[3][4] By the end of the year, drummer André Borgman and keyboardist Lando van Gils joined the band, replacing Joep Beckers and Jack Driessen.

During the year 2000, Floor Jansen was invited to guest sing in Ayreon's Universal Migrator Part 1: The Dream Sequencer album. Ayreon is the most successful of the many projects by Dutch guitarist Arjen Anthony Lucassen and that album is only the first of many other collaborations with Floor Jansen.

Decipher and departure of Mark Jansen (2001–2002)

[edit]

In 2001, the band released the album Decipher, which featured for the first time live classical instruments and a live choir. The complex arrangements of the new compositions pushed After Forever's music even more towards the symphonic metal genre.

By the end of 2001, After Forever appeared as rising stars on the dynamic scene of Dutch metal, which included bands like The Gathering, Within Temptation, Gorefest and Ayreon.[5] Their second album Decipher (2001) had received very positive reviews[6][7][8][9][10] and their name was well known in the underground scene of the Netherlands.[11] Critics were impressed by the remarkable musicianship of the young members of the band and in particular by Floor Jansen's vocals, both in studio and in live performances.[6][12] In contrast with these premises for a bright future, the relationships within the band were not so idyllic. Soon after the release of Decipher, After Forever faced a strong creative contrast between founding member and guitarist Mark Jansen and the rest of the band.[13] Mark Jansen had been the main composer of the band together with Sander Gommans and his love for movie soundtracks and classical music had had a strong influence on the musical style of After Forever’s first two albums, Prison of Desire (2000) and Decipher.[14][15] Moreover, his interest for religious and moral themes had characterized his lyrics for many songs, often collected under a common title (e.g. The Embrace That Smothers and My Pledge of Allegiance).[16] In the next album, Mark Jansen meant to further explore complex interactions between classical instruments, choruses in Latin and death metal elements,[17][18] while Gommans and the others preferred a more direct and aggressive approach to music, retaining some elements that made the sound of the band recognizable, but expanding it in new and different directions.[13] These musical differences led to Mark Jansen leaving the band, in what he felt as an actual dismissal.[17][19] Upon his departure, Jansen quickly formed another band called Sahara Dust, which later developed into the symphonic metal band Epica.[17] In a 2007 interview, Jansen described his departure from After Forever as coming as a shock to him at the time, with the news of his dismissal being delivered to him by fellow band members shortly before a band rehearsal. At the time of his dismissal, the band were preparing to participate in a series of major tours and concerts such as Pinkpop.[20]

Jansen's place was taken by Bas Maas, who had been the guitar technician for After Forever during the tours of 2001 and 2002.[21] August and September 2002 were dedicated to a European tour, supporting Finnish act Nightwish and attending some rock festivals,[22] which exposed the band to larger audiences and gained them even more favourable press.[23][24] Further media exposure came from Floor Jansen's collaboration with Dutch multi-instrumentalist and composer Arjen Anthony Lucassen, for the recording of Star One's album Space Metal and the subsequent tour in late 2002.[25][26]

Exordium and Invisible Circles (2003–2004)

[edit]

Floor Jansen's activities, as well as the regular jobs and studies of the After Forever band members, reduced the band's live performances for the rest of 2002 and half of 2003. It was known that the band was working at a new album from the beginning of 2003,[27] but their first release was the EP Exordium in October 2003, containing an instrumental track, three new songs and two covers. In Jansen’s words "the EP Exordium was like an introduction to this new full length album and the subjects of the lyrics are already connected to the concept (...) meaning they are also dealing with modern, social problems".[28]

In 2004, the concept album Invisible Circles was released. The album, that deals with childhood traumas and abuse, introduced progressive metal elements to the music of After Forever and the use of a clean male voice. The album reached No. 24 in the Dutch Top 100 musical chart.[29] In the same year, Lando van Gils also left the band and was replaced by Joost van den Broek, a keyboard player that Floor Jansen had met during her tour with Star One, another project by Arjen Lucassen.

Remagine and signing to Nuclear Blast (2005–2006)

[edit]

In early September 2005, the band released their fourth album Remagine. The album was produced using pre-recorded drum tracks by André Borgman, who had to take a long leave of absence to cure his illness. The songs of the album are simpler and more straightforward than in the previous albums, preserving anyway the usual dual voice dynamic in the sound of the band.[30][31]

On 3 March 2006 the band left the Transmission Records label, due to the scarce promotion that the label was providing to their albums.[32] Following this departure, Transmission Records released the Mea Culpa compilation, with plenty of rarities and B-sides. By October the same year, After Forever had signed to the German label Nuclear Blast Records.[33]

After Forever, hiatus and disbandment (2007–2009)

[edit]

In late 2006 the band recorded what would be their final album, as well as their only album to be released through Nuclear Blast, the self-titled After Forever. It features guest appearances from Annihilator guitarist Jeff Waters and Doro Pesch. Videos of the recording sessions were available for download on the band's website. The album was released on 23 April 2007.

In January 2008, After Forever announced on their website, that the band would be taking a break of at least a year, mainly to assess the health problems of vocalist and guitarist Sander Gommans, who had been absent during most of the tour supporting the album After Forever.[32] In an interview with Ragnarök radio, Floor said the band would get together early 2009 to discuss After Forever's future.[34]

On 5 February 2009, After Forever announced that they decided to call it quits.[35] The long break, during 2008 and 2009, had made them realize that they did not feel the passion towards the band any longer.[36]

Subsequent activities (2009–2017)

[edit]

After the split up of the band, Sander Gommans released the album System Overload in 2009 with his solo project HDK, followed by Serenades of the Netherworld in 2014. He also created Magic-O-Metal, a metal/comic project for children, and works as a high school art teacher.

Floor Jansen started a new band called ReVamp, which got signed by Nuclear Blast and released the albums ReVamp in 2010 and Wild Card in 2013.[37] The band was on hold for a while after the release of ReVamp because of Jansen's health problems and her subsequent recruitment as the new lead singer for Nightwish.[38] Jansen's involvement with Nightwish ultimately caused ReVamp to call it quits.

Joost van den Broek collaborated with both Gommans and Jansen on their new musical projects, while also leading several symphonic/crossover projects, particularly the Christmas Metal Symphony shows in 2008 and 2009[39] and Stream of Passion's second album The Flame Within. He has since focused mostly on composing and studio work, but sporadically performs live, mainly as a session member of Ayreon and The Gentle Storm.

Bas Maas joined the live band supporting German hard rock singer Doro Pesch in 2008.

Both André Borgman and Luuk van Gerven joined Robby Valentine's live band while After Forever was on hiatus. Borgman also joined Amanda Somerville's band Trillium in 2017, thereby reuniting with his former band mate Sander Gommans.

Reunion (2025)

[edit]

On 23 October 2024, the band announced that they will be performing two shows in October 2025 in celebration of the band's 25th anniversary. The line-up during these two shows are set to consist of Sander Gommans, Bas Maas, Luuk van Gerven, André Borgman, Mark Jansen, Jeffrey Revet and Angel Wolf-Black.[40][41]

Band members

[edit]
Floor Jansen during After Forever concert on Masters of Rock 2007 festival in Zlín.
Final line-up
  • Floor Jansen – lead vocals (1997–2009)
  • Sander Gommans – lead guitar, vocals, screams (1995–2009)
  • Bas Maas – rhythm guitar, vocals (2002–2009)
  • Luuk van Gerven – bass guitar (1996–2009)
  • André Borgman – drums, percussion (2000–2009)
  • Joost van den Broek – keyboards (2004–2009)
Previous members
  • Mark Jansen – rhythm guitar, vocals, screams (1995–2002)
  • Joep Beckers – drums, percussion (1995–2000)
  • Jack Driessen – keyboards (1995–2000)
  • Lando van Gils – keyboards (2000–2004)
Guests

Timeline

[edit]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions
NLD
[42] 		GER
[43] 		FRA
[44] 		BEL (FL)
[45] 		BEL (WA)
[46] 		JPN
[47]
Prison of Desire
  • Released: 24 April 2000
  • Re-release: 5 June 2008
  • Label: Transmission
  • Formats: CD
 — — — — — —
Decipher
  • Released: 27 December 2001
  • Re-release: 3 December 2011
  • Label: Transmission
  • Formats: CD, LP
 — — — — — —
Invisible Circles
  • Released: 25 March 2004
  • Re-release: 11 November 2016
  • Label: Transmission
  • Formats: CD
 24 — — 74 — 272
Remagine
  • Released: 8 September 2005
  • Re-release: 21 November 2015
  • Label: Transmission
  • Formats: CD, SACD, CD+DVD
 21 — — 55 96 —
After Forever 6 98 105 89 72 234
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions
NLD
[42]
Mea Culpa
  • Released: 19 June 2006
  • Label: Transmission
  • Formats: CD
 69
Eccentric
  • Released: 8 November 2019
  • Label: Transmission
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
 —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

EPs

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions
NLD
[42]
Exordium
  • Released: 17 October 2003
  • Re-release: 11 November 2016
  • Label: Transmission
  • Formats: CD
 56
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

[edit]
Year Title Peak chart positions Album
NLD
[49]
2000 "Follow in the Cry" / "Silence from Afar" — Prison of Desire
2002 "Emphasis" / "Who Wants to Live Forever" — Decipher
"Monolith of Doubt" —
2003 "My Choice" / "The Evil That Men Do" — Exordium
2004 "Digital Deceit" 41 Invisible Circles
2005 "Being Everyone" 54 Remagine
2006 "Two Sides" / "Boundaries Are Open" — Mea Culpa
2007 "Energize Me" 94 After Forever
"Equally Destructive" (DVD single) 89
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Music videos

[edit]
  • "Emphasis" (2002)
  • "My Choice" (2003)
  • "Digital Deceit" (2004)
  • "Being Everyone" (2005)
  • "Energize Me" (2007)
  • "Equally Destructive" (2007)
  • "Discord" (2007)

Demos

[edit]
Title Demo details
Ephemeral
  • Released: 1999
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: CD
Wings of Illusion
  • Released: 1999
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: CD

Interviews

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Metal Reviews - Review of After Forever - Exordium". Archived from the original on 17 January 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2008.
  2. ^ "Metal Invader ( After Forever - After Forever ) Review". Archived from the original on 10 November 2007. Retrieved 5 July 2008.
  3. ^ Betteiger, Paul (5 April 2003). "Review: After Forever - Prison Of Desire". The Metal Crypt. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  4. ^ Elliot, R.W. (16 June 2004). "After Forever". Musical Discoveries. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  5. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "After Forever Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  6. ^ a b Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Decipher review". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  7. ^ Griffin, Larry (29 September 2008). "After Forever - Decipher review". The Metal Crypt.com. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  8. ^ Macinanti, Lorenzo. "After Forever - Decipher recensione" (in Italian). Metal Italia.com. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  9. ^ Congrains, Kike (26 August 2003). "After Forever - Decipher review". Metal Storm. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  10. ^ "After Forever - Decipher review". Sputnikmusic. 23 November 2005. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  11. ^ "Floor Jansen interview 2007". Metal-Rules.com Zine. 11 October 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
  12. ^ Villen, Germàn (April 2002). "After Forever at Piorno Rock Festival". ProgVisions.net. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  13. ^ a b "Interview After Forever - Sander Gommans". FaceCulture. YouTube. 2005. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  14. ^ "Mark Jansen profile". Epica Official Website. 12 April 2006. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
  15. ^ Grant, Sam. "Epica Interview 2006". Sonic Cathedral WebZine. Archived from the original on 29 May 2009. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  16. ^ "Epica interview - Mark Jansen (part 4)". FaceCulture. YouTube. 2007. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  17. ^ a b c "Interview with the Dutch gothic metal band Sahara Dust". Tartarean Desire Webzine. July 2002. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  18. ^ Elliot, Russell W. (2 March 2004). "Epica / The Phantom Agony". Musical Discoveries. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
  19. ^ "Epica interview - Mark Jansen (part 1)". FaceCulture. YouTube. 2007. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  20. ^ "Epica interview - Mark Jansen (part 1)". YouTube. FaceCulture. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  21. ^ "After Forever (1996 - 2009)" (in Dutch). Muziek Centrum Nederland. Archived from the original on 15 August 2007. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  22. ^ "Nightwish biography". Nightwish World.com. 2007. Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  23. ^ Jiménez, Jorge. "Nightwish + After Forever + Charon". Metalflames.iespana.es. Archived from the original on 18 December 2009. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
  24. ^ "Nightwish World fanzine". Nightwish World.com. Archived from the original on 5 May 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
  25. ^ Lucassen, Arjen. "Star One". Arjenlucassen.com. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
  26. ^ Westerbeke, Tonnie (3 October 2002). "Star One featuring Ayreon" (in Dutch). Metalfan.nl. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
  27. ^ Grant, Sam (23 April 2003). "After Forever interview 2003". Sonic Cathedral WebZine. Archived from the original on 9 June 2009. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
  28. ^ Congrains, Kike (7 April 2004). "After Forever interview". Metal Storm. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  29. ^ "AFTER FOREVER - INVISIBLE CIRCLES (ALBUM)" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts.nl. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  30. ^ "Sander Gommans". FaceCulture.com. 8 November 2007. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  31. ^ Grant, Sam (11 December 2005). "After Forever - Remagine". Sonic Cathedral.com. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  32. ^ a b Vermeere, Ralph (21 May 2007). "After Forever with Sander Gommans". Rockezine.com. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  33. ^ D., Zack (7 November 2006). "After Forever Sign to Nuclear Blast and Start Recording New Album". Metal Underground.com. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  34. ^ "Episode 30 - Women In Metal Part One". Ragnarok Radio. 12 December 2008. Archived from the original on 18 April 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  35. ^ "After Forever quits". 5 February 2009. Archived from the original on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  36. ^ "After Forever disbands after nearly fifteen years". Drummerszone.com. 6 February 2009. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  37. ^ Jansen, Floor (12 February 2010). "News: Floor Jansen signs up with Nuclear Blast for her new band 'ReVamp'". Revampmusic.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  38. ^ "Press Statement". Nightwish official website. Archived from the original on 25 June 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  39. ^ "Christmas Metal Symphony". MySpace.com. 4 November 2009. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  40. ^ "Mark Jansen's Pre-Epica Band After Forever To Reunite For Special 25th-Anniversary Concert". Blabbermouth.net. 23 October 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  41. ^ "After Forever - Programma". 013 Poppodium Tilburg (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  42. ^ a b c Steffen Hung. "Dutch Charts". Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  43. ^ "charts.de". Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  44. ^ Steffen Hung (28 April 2007). "Les charts français". Lescharts.com. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  45. ^ "Ultratop Belgian Charts". Ultratop.be. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  46. ^ "Ultratop Belgian Charts". Ultratop.be. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  47. ^ "アフター・フォーエヴァーのCDアルバムランキング │オリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE". ORICON STYLE. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  48. ^ "iTunes - Music - After Forever by After Forever". iTunes. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  49. ^ Steffen Hung. "Dutch Charts". Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
[edit]
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