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

Well, already as a little child I got involved into music at an early stage. My mother is a very big music fan (also metal) so thats my first link to music. As long as I can remember I am listening to (metal) music.

*Which artists or bands did influence you the most?

My influences have always been very diverse and almost to many to describe, but some of the metalbands are for example Dimmu Borgir, Algaion, Emperor, Marduk, Rotting Christ, Behemoth, Cradle Of Filth, Nordjevel, Gojira, Kampfar, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Haken, Avslut. But for sure I also have been inspired by Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Metallica, The Doors, Deep Purple and so on.

*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?

I did get private guitar lessons for about five years and started at the age of eight or nine years old. Those lessons were Spanish classical, acoustic guitar based. I started with playing the guitar because my mother expected I would be very interested in playing this instrument. And right she was. In the mean time I also learned myself to play the electric guitar. Between the age of seventeen and twenty-five I did get a few electric guitar lessons. But I think I didn’t learn to much new during those lessons. Mostly I learned myself how to play, and am still learning… The vocals, I started with that at an age of nineteen. At that time I already played together with Dennis Schoenmaker. I learned myself how to use my voice in this style of music we are playing.

*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?

The kind of music I prefer to listen to besides metal depends on what kind of mood I am in at that moment. I listen to all different kinds and styles of music you can imagine. Some examples are rock, blues, jazz, classical music, but also techno, acid, dubstep or a combination of all those styles.

Still metal gives me the most energy.

*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?

When talking about the time needed for music there is almost no time left to spend at a regular job, but unfortunately bills needs to be payed. So I indeed have a full time job being a service guy for a roof window company besides spending almost every free minute at our music business. If I would be really successful and still be able to pay the bills I definitely would quit my daily job.

*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 symphonic) black metal metal band? Or would you do something completely different?

I would still go for a melodic symphonic black metal band with many different influences. That’s where you can find my heart when talking about making music. The beautiful part of composing music with other musician is that you will have to deal with each others influences. A combination of those will create an unique product. That is something I really like at making music with other musician. If I think about an “All Stars Band” I would choose the next musician, simply because in combination with their instruments they are one of the best musician around the world and they would be a perfect match for my band. An “All Stars Band” would be: Gene Hoglan on Drums (Testament), Mike Wead on guitar (King Diamond), Dave Suzuki on guitar (Vital Remains), Steve DiGiorgio on bass guitar (Testament), Mustis on keys (ex Dimmu Borgir).

*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?

Algaion, ‘Oimai Algaion’. Dimmu Borgir, ‘In Sorte Diaboli’. Carpathian Forest, ‘Black Shining Leather’. Thorns vs. Emperor. Avslut, ‘Vanskapt’. These albums would support me in building my empire.

*Every new album (or ep) 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?

Indeed I have to admit it is very cliche but this album has become our best product yet! As always we have put all of our energy, knowledge and resources into this product. We have worked together with an amazing team of professionals. It really has become a master piece with many crazy compositions. From intense bass riffs and screaming guitar solos to impressive drums with a lot of tempo and time changes, surrounded by chilling screams immersed in a sauce of dramatic keys. All these compositions mixed and mastered by sound-engineer Mike Wead (King Diamond), photos by Rick Jacops (Backstage Film Productions), dressed in an artistic jacket made by Jan Yrlund (Darkgrove Design) will be the icing on our cake. The stories told on this album go from astonishing and absurd to terribly dramatic events. We even did have contact with Godmother Thea Moear and surviver of The Nivelles Gang (Brabant Killers) David van de Steen. We are very proud Massacre Records would sign us for this album. With this great company we completed our close team. It is very hard to say which song stands out for me the most. When listen to ‘The Unburied’, I like the atmosphere a lot. ‘Silent War’ is sounding massive and aggressive which I like. ‘Through The Eye Of The Needle’ sounds very atmospheric too, especially the beginning. I think for me all songs have a nice combination of atmosphere, aggressive, fast and touchy parts.

– See “CD-Review” for a review (written in Dutch) for the new Misanthropia album ‘Convoy Of Sickness’ (Massacre Records) –

*We 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 Misanthropia in Belgium?

Every stage or venue has its own charms. A small club will be very intimate, a big stage will be massive and every festival will have their own ambiance. I think it will be amazing to have close contact with listeners in a small venue and it would be great to spread our words in front of a big crowd. It would be great to play in Belgium too. I would say send a message to our booker Eternal Rock (http://www.eternalrock-musicagency.com/artist-roster/misanthropia/) and lets meet each other on stage at an amazing festival in Belgium!