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

I started guitar when I was very young with an acoustic guitar, I was 6 years old, metal came later when I had my first electric guitar at 12 years old, I liked Gary Moore, Iron Maiden, … stuff like that.

*Which artists or bands did influence you the most?

Good melodic players, like Yngwie, Gary Moore, Schenker, Satriani, Vai, Steve Lynch for the tapping, Eddie Van Halen.

*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 never had lessons, I learned all by myself , I play guitar, bass, drums and keyboards.

*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 listen to symphonic music, and movie sound tracks, but I also like blues, and bands like U2 and Duran Duran (in the 80’s).

*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?

No I dont get any other job, my job is music and I feel successful in the way I do what I love, not every bands play in stadiums, and with this shity internet era you can’t build any career in music any more… too much assholes stealing your work illegally…

*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 (neoclassical) power metal band? Or would you do something completely different? – We do know you are also the man behind Magic Kingdom. Wich band is you favorite play and work with? –

I ll never do an all star band nor a tribute or cover band, I ll redo exactly the same, with the band I get right now, life is short, enjoy till it lasts, and energy tends to go down with the years lol

*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?

Some Iron Maiden from the 80’s, Gary Moore, Yngwie, instrumental stuff, some progressive albums like early Dream Theater, and movie soundtrack and the full Haendel collection!

*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?

If you like great melodic and powerful music, dont hesitate, great hooks and splendid musicianship,WE LOVE ALL the songs-) check it out by yourself, the production is over the top too-)

– See “CD-Review” for a review (written in Dutch) for the new Iron Mask album ‘Master Of Masters’ (AFM 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 Iron Mask in Belgium?

Of course we will go on after this situation is done worldwide, and of course we will do gigs for our 20th anniversary in 2022, now everything is postponed to next year anyway!

Cheers and thanks!