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

I first started with trumpet at the age of 12, and started playing guitar at 13. I really got into metal around 15, maybe due to MTV’s “Headbanger’s Ball”.

*Which artists or bands did influence you the most?

I’m heavily influenced by film composers like Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard, James Horner, and Howard Shore. Within metal I’ve been influenced by an eclectic mix of bands like Nightwish, Eluveitie, Children Of Bodom, and Rotting Christ.

*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?

On stage, I play guitar, but I also play keyboards, bass, and can manage simple performance on the drums. I got my first guitar at 13 and learned mostly on my own. I haven’t used any books, or taken any lessons, and perhaps that is where I went wrong hahaha.

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

As mentioned above, I really appreciate film scores. I’m also interested in classical music, folk and world music, and some selective dance, goth, and electronic music.

*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?

Music is my passion project, and it is an additional full-time job in and of itself. I would love to not have to do two full-time jobs.

*If you could start a complete new band (something like an all star band) with other musicians on other instruments, which artists would you pick for which instrument and why? Would you still go for a (epic) symphonic metal band?

I’d start a strange metal band with Sakis Tolis (ROTTING CHRIST) on guitar / vocals, Kai Hahto (WINTERSUN, NIGHTWISH) on drums, Marko Hietala (ex-NIGHTWISH) on bass / vocals, and Hans Zimmer on keyboards and orchestrations. I’d hide on stage in the shadow of utter greatness.

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

Nightwish – ‘Century Child’, Children Of Bodom – ‘Kissing The Shadows’, Rotting Christ – ‘Aealo’, Wintersun – ‘Wintersun’, James Newton Howard – The Village film soundtrack

*Why took it so long to release new work after the ep ‘Solarium’ (2011)? What happened in between?

The band was on an indefinite hiatus. Lineup changes, continuing education, and family-building took priority for many band members in that time. While I never stopped writing music for a future resurrection, I myself bought an older house, gutted it to the studs and built it anew in that “down time”.

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

Well, with streaming, there is no reason to buy it unless you have heard it, and enjoy it enough to want to support the band. Though musically, I wouldn’t qualify it as innovative, I would encourage those who enjoy deep, meaningful music, and curious lyrics, to give the album a listen. Especially if you enjoy symphonic metal. Personally, the latter half of the album is my favorite, and stand out songs would include ‘Mind Of Myth”, ‘Sunfire Shower’ and ‘The Scarred Clay Reshaping’.

– See “CD-Review” for a review (written in Dutch) for the new Shield Of Wings album ‘Unfinished’ (Elderpath Records) –

*Is there a chance that you will promote these songs through live concerts? If so, would you prefer small clubs or big festivals? And is there a chance we can see SHIELD OF WINGS in Belgium?

Regarding European festivals, I’m eagerly awaiting the call! : ) Both small clubs and festivals have their appeal, and we would be happy to play either. And yes, we would love to come to Belgium if we got the opportunity!