*When did you really get involved into music in general and into metal specific? Who was responsable for your interest in (metal) music?

I have played musical instruments for as long as I can remember, starting with the violin at less than 4 years old. So music has always been an integral part of my life. As I grew older, I for some unknown reason gravitated towards listening to “heavier” music in general. It was simply a sound and tonal language I was intrigued by, and found very appealing. When I later discovered what could be considered actual ‘metal’ by today’s standards, I knew I had found something that deeply resonated with me. It started with black and power metal almost in parallel. Two sub-genres that people might not consider overlapping, but I found that they spoke to different parts of me, being so vastly different in terms of sound and expression.

*Which artists or bands did influence you the most?

I suppose artists that cemented my influences in terms of black metal writing specifically, would be the melodic black metal of the mid to late nineties, for example Dissection, Dawn, Vinterland, and Necrophobic, to name a few.

*Which instrument do you play and how and when did you learn to play? Did you had lessons in school or private lessons? If so, was that because your parents expected that from you? Or did you learn to play the instruments by yourself? Do yo still follow some lessons?

As previously mentioned, I play the violin, which I would still consider my main instrument. I also play the piano, and dabble in a variety of other stringed instruments. The violin is the only instrument on which I have received extensive training over the course of 15 years of my life. Obviously, when doing anything at all as young as 4 years old, it is at the behest of parents, as was also the case for me. Which is something I am deeply grateful today however, as it was the start of a life-long pursuit in music and recording.

*Do you follow other or are you intrested in other styles of music beside metal? If so, what is the music you prefer to listen to?

I have a wide interest in all sorts of music. There are very few genres that I absolutely can’t stand listening to. These days I don’t really have the time to listen to a lot of new music, but whenever I am presented with something interesting, I try to take the time to sit down and listen I have also had periods in life where I hardly listened to any metal at all, and stuck to for example pop, electronic, classical music, or AOR. I find that most genres have something to offer, if you only make sure to keep an open mind. But in terms of writing, I always seem to come back to metal in different forms.

*Is music a full time job for you now or do you have a job beside music? If so, what kind of job are you doing? If you would be really succesful with music, would you quit your other job?

My “normal” dayjob is as a part time lecturer in sound and music production at a university. I also freelance quite a bit recording and mixing other artists, and doing live sound. I feel that all these different activities keeps me up to date with current technology and trends, and it feels good to not stagnate in a single field of work. Creating and writing my own music is however my real passion, so I would probably consider making that my main occupation, should the opportunity present itself.

*If you could start a band with other musicians on other instruments, which artist would you pick for wich instrument and why? (Something Like an “All Stars Band”) Would you still go for a melodic black metal band? Or would you do something completely different?

It would probably not be a melodic black metal band, mostly because I think that I already have the only other musician I would ever need for such a project, haha. I would start an Arena Rock band with a mish-mash of (dead or alive) well-known musicians. It would probably be an absolutely terrible combination, but something like this: Freddie Mercury (vocals – simply one of the best singers and live performers in modern times), John Mayer (guitars – excellent and delicate guitar work, spanning different genres and sounds), Jeff Porcaro (drums – one of the most prolific and “groovy” drummers of the 80’s) and Duff McKagan (bass, – mostly because of my love for Guns n’ Roses, but he also contributed a lot to their sound, and made surprisingly interesting bass performances on their albums).

*If you had been banned to an uninhabited island and you may pick 5 albums to listen to, wich albums would you choose and why?

1. Loreena McKennitt – ‘The Mask And Mirror’: an album I have listened to for more than 20 years and which never seizes to amaze me. Extremely delicate and emotional. One of my absolute favourite albums (and artists).

2. Dissection – ‘Storm Of The Light’s Bane’: one of the most pivotal black metal albums of all times, and a true classic that never gets old. Speaks to me on many levels.

3. Blind Guardian – ‘Nightfall In Middle-Earth’: also an extremely important album within its genre, and an album which I will return to time and time again. Not a single bad track, and very intricate arrangements.

4. Bal Sagoth – ‘The power Cosmic’: when talking about intricate arrangements, Bal Sagoth are the masters. ‘The Power Cosmic’ will after 21 years still keep me entertained and intrigued. A fantastic blend of genius and madness.

5. Toto – ‘The Seventh One’: one of the most well-produced and mixed albums of all times in my opinion. Full of amazing songs and performances. It will never grow old.

*Why did it take five years to come up with a second album after debut-abum ‘The Malefic Miasma’?

Mainly because of other projects me and Andreas have been working on over the years, but also “because life”. A lot of things and changes happen, and it has been difficult to find extended periods of time where we could work together. We are also extremely picky, so the songs take a long time to finalize. The basics and foundations are laid out pretty quickly, but the final touches and to tie everything together in terms of arrangements and sounds takes a very long time. It should probably not take five more years for the third album though, since we feel that we have found a more clearly laid out path in our writing and recording process.

*Every new album of a band or an artist is the best one, that’s what they always say. So here is a chance to promote the album. Why should a music lover buy your album? What are the standout tracks for you on this new album and why?

I would dare suggest that ‘Uncrown’ brings something fresh to the modern black metal table. We give nods to the melodic black metal roots of the 90’s, but with a fresh touch, and up-to-date and coherent soundscape. We have created what we ourselves wanted to listen to, and have spent countless hours to get there. And I hope that shines through upon listening to the album. My personal standout tracks from ‘Uncrown’ would probably be our first single, ‘Burn Them’, but also ‘Dominionism’ – with Andreas’ excellent guitar work and writing. ‘The Death Of Kings Of Old’ is also a favorite; a very dynamic song with strong lyrics which starts out fairly traditionally, but slows down to an acoustic segment and a more relaxed part before exploding into a furious atmospheric outro.

– See “CD-Review” for a review (written in Dutch) for the new Ages album ‘Uncrown’ (Black Lodge) –

*I suppose you will promote this album through live concerts (when of course everyting is getting back to “normal” after the Covid 19 disaster). If so, would you prefer small clubs or big festivals? And is there a chance we can see AGES in Belgium?

Ages is for now a studio band only, so we have not yet performed any live shows. It is not something that I completely rule out for the future however, as I like the idea of bringing Ages to a live audience. But the time and incentives must be right for that to happen. But maybe one day!