HARDROCK HAVEN
Interview August 2005 with Aniek
Hoffman:I guess the best place to start is where did
you start? Who were your influences growing up?
Aniek: As far as my singing, I was about 17 and a guy I knew played a little
guitar and we played covers of Alanis Morrissette and several other things.
Then I started as a rock singer and after a few years I went and took lessons
from a classical teacher. That’s how I developed the classical style you
hear today. As far as influences, I loved Kate Bush of course, she had an amazing
voice and especially her appearance. Also old records from my Dad, bands like
Jethro Tull and even older Beatles albums. I also really liked Radiohead when
I was a teenager. I am no metalhead.
Hoffman: What got you into Metal? I have loved it for
25 years
Aniek: (Interrupting) Then you probably know a lot more than I do (Laughing)
Hoffman: Yeah I do, but unfortunately it is mostly
underground here in America where besides huge acts touring, Ozzfest is really
the only main tour.
Aniek: It is growing really fast here, especially in Holland there is a festival
here called Graspop every year now and a few years ago there were 10000 people
but now there are 40000 people. So this scene is growing really fast.
Hoffman: Well Europe and Asia still have a huge metal
fan base, and it never really left. Acts like Malmsteen and Megadeth are still
as popular as today as 20 years ago.
As far as your music, when I received the CD from Lion, I actually agreed with
Lion’s description of the band. It’s a female singer that is in
a kick-ass metal band without the leather or make-up.
Aniek: Yeah that’s the influence of Roel and Coert, our drummer and guitarist.
They write all the songs they are influenced by Dream Theatre, Opeth, and Nevermore.
Hoffman: The essential for me to like a band is solid
lead guitar and solo work, which is actually taboo here is America; no one on
the radio has solos anymore. It’s really sick.
Aniek: (Laughing) Haha, that’s the funniest thing that you say that ’cause
it’s the opposite of here — all the songs have to have solos in
them. If you only have low frequencies in the rhythm guitar then there is no
clarity in it no melody to it.
Hoffman: Ha. Yeah, amen sister. Bands nowadays here
in America all the bands sound the same, with dirty or muddy sounding guitar
rhythms and leads. As far as Delphian it is really clean and the vocals are
amazing. You know I love your voice.
Aniek: Yeah I got that. (Laughing) Ha ha.
Hoffman: I give 4s and 5s regularly to the same old
shit, but your band knocked me out. Seriously, the voice is unbelievable heavenly
and inside of metal what a unique thing that is.
Aniek: Yeah I’m very happy with your CD review of Oracle and I hear people
that like it, but I also hear people saying that I should not be doing that
type of singing within metal. You love it but some people hate it.
Hoffman: Many are in the same groove and think that’s
all what metal is. Those guys are stupid and close minded. What metal needs
is open-minded people willing to accept change, not the same regurgitated shit
for another 20 years!
Aniek: Okay, then Delphian is for you.
Hoffman: After reviewing it, I started to listen to
it again and again and I realized how deep the lyrics were and how advanced
the subject matter you guys cover. That’s unique as well. It’s important
to stay original and not copy others. I hate tribute and cover bands as well.
Aniek: But in Europe you can’t imagine how many cover and tribute bands
are popular over here. And they get paid so well for doing it.
Hoffman: Well stay positive because your original bands
work will pay off with hard work.
Aniek: Yeah you are right. Our guitarist Coert will stop and ask after playing
a piece “is that us is that too commercial?” We want to be completely
original.
Hoffman: Traditional metal song structures are used
on your albums, with straight lyrics, choruses great melodies strong lead and
solo work on guitar and great drums.
Aniek: Yes, we realize that this formula has worked for like 50 years in music
so we use the same style songs that people like.
Hoffman: The guitar work was solid and powerful yet
not flashy with great drums and it was all natural, not forced. It was really
one of my favorite CDs of the year and I’ve reviewed over 100 already.
The flute is amazing also because it’s the same pitch as your voice, and
combined with kick ass guitar and drums what a combination!
Aniek: If you want to have a long career, it has to be natural and the rest
of the music has to be pure; no keyboards like other bands trying because we
are not trying to fill the music up without actually doing anything with it.
We want pure music as well as with my singing. As for the flute, only 2 songs
with the flute made the album but I also play flute on the heavy stuff. I’m
sure you’ll see some of the flute again on the next album.
Hoffman: Cool. How has it been going lately?
Aniek: It is going quite well actually. Every week something happens like signing
with Lion and then the recordings for the albums were great. Now we get great
reviews come which makes you want to go on. It is holiday (vacation) here in
Europe so many people have not even realized that our CD has released here yet.
Hoffman: That’s great to hear. And yeah I remember
what holiday means from living in Germany. Two months where many people are
off work. Hell, here in America the most people can hope for is two weeks vacation.
Ha.
Hoffman: You know when I was stationed in Europe in the Army, I remember we
used to party in Arnhem, Holland. How far is that from you? We were amazed everything
that was legal in Holland and illegal in Germany! Ha Ha
Aniek: Yeah we hear that a lot from Americans. (Laughing). We live about 75
Kilometers from Arnhem, and it is a great little city. There is just something
about it.
Hoffman: What’s in your CD player now?
Aniek: You probably will kill me. But it’s System Of A Down. A few months
ago I saw them in concert and they were great; he sings, he raps, he screams
… he has so many things going on in his voice.
Hoffman: No actually you have great taste. I was surprised
too when it came out; that album is so amazing and creative. The singer has
amazing range. I gave it a 9 out of a 10. It may be the album of the year.
Aniek: Well here you can’t admit that you listen to pop metal or “Nu”
Metal, but I love the CD (Laughing).
Hoffman: Here too (Laughing). Seriously, as far as
your career, stay positive. Hell you are only 23 years old and your career is
all in front of you. Don’t worry about people’s stupid feedback
— you are a solid band that with hard work will definitely go places.
And tell Coert, Roel, Marcel and Sjoerd I love what they have done on Oracle
and look forward to seeing huge things in Delphian’s future.
Aniek: Yeah, my brother tells me the same thing all the time. Matthew, thank
you so much for believing in us.
Hoffman: Thanks for being so generous with your time
Matthey Hoffman - Hardrockhaven