HDK

System overloaded

-As already mentioned, the album features a very long list of special guests: Amanda Somerville, Andre Matos, Jos Severens, Patrick Savelkoul, Mike Scheijen, Paul Niessen, Arjen Anthony Lucassen, Jost Van Den Broek, Marcle Coenen and Bastiaan Kuiper. How important was their contribution? How did you collaborate with each of them, in person or by e-mail?
All in person and in e-mail only with Arjen Lucassen and Marcel Coenen I had email contact about their contribution. Everyone ‘s input was important, but of course some roles were bigger and therefore more present. First of all, the fundament of the music (Arien and Peter) set the standard, and that standard was high!The vocals all show a different kind of music, and it’s the combination that is unique! The guitarsolos that I didn't play myself (Arjen, Marcel and Bastiaan) are really different from my own solos, so also that makes the album more rich.

-The album is out now. What’s next up in the pipeline for you?
To be honest, I have no plans and a lot of plans.....I just don’t dare to make too many plans. Right now, I’m saying goodbye to After Forever, also a proces that needs a bit of time. After that, we’ll see what comes. I have some very cool opportunities to write music, but I have to feel like it, let’s hope I can announce some new things soon. First, let’s see what HDK will be doing.

-What are your ambitions and expectations concerning „System Overload” release? Are you going to make this new band at least as successful as AFTER FOREVER? That would be a hard task, but... Is commercial success a concern or desire for you?
Commercial in a sense of albums sales: of course, it would be great for me and certainly the label if this album would sell well, though I understand that this is not music for the masses. Commercial in a big radiostation/tv way: not at all, fuck all those wannabe dj’s etc..... I don’t have the intention to make this as big as After Forever, since I don’t want to peform, but I’ll do my best promoting together with Seasons of Must for sure, since Im really proud of HDK!

-To the best of my knowledge you are offering some guitar lessons for kids. Is this your main occupation at the moment? A lucrative one?
Not only kids, I’m also giving guitarlessons and songwritinglessons to lots of people in all kinds of scenes, good for my creativity and certainly lucrative. Next to that, I work as a teacher on a highschool for two days. Hard work, but great work this time!

-OK, it's time to finish. Only one question left and I will let you go. OK, sooooo..... when should we expect AFTER FOREVER's reunion? I'm pretty much serious. It's only a matter of time so don't deny it, just tell me WHEN. Haha, just kidding... or not... who knows it? All the best!
2011 (laugh) Thanks for the interview!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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