LEO is Dutch drummer and composer Koen Herfst’s second solo album and features guest appearances by ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN (VUUR), JORDAN RUDESS (Dream Theater), PAUL QUINN (Saxon), RUUD JOLIE (Within Temptation) and ROB VAN DER LOO (Epica) amongst others. LEO is a progressive metal concept album about the death of Leo Herfst, Koen’s father, who died when Koen was only 10 months old. After the successful release of his first solo album Back to Balance (2015) the moment came to tell this tragic story through music.
ABOUT THE ALBUM
The concept album has four main characters; the mother’s role is played by Anneke van Giersbergen (VUUR), the father by Merijn van Haren (Navarone), ‘Death the person’ by Koen (voice with effects), and ‘the Son’ by Koen (singing). The album tells the tragic story from the characters point of view, expressing their emotions, thoughts and feelings. It takes the listener on a journey through this process, in the spirit of a progressive rock opera.
Other guest artists on the album are:
Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Rob van der Loo (Epica), Paul Quinn (Saxon), Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation), Jord Otto (VUUR, My Propane), Mendel Bij de Leij (ex-Aborted), Ben Mathot (Ayreon), Marcela Bovio (MaYaN) & Harrison Young (DORO, ex-U.D.O.)
TRACKLISTING
1. July 20, 1984 (5:52)
2. Dream Away (5:11)
3. Realization of the Inevitable (5:53)
4. Coffin & Carriage (4:03)
5. Bereaved (4:53)
6. Saying Your Name Out Loud (4:21)
7. D(e)ad (6:56)
8. I See Myself (4:16)
9. Are You Out There Somewhere? (6:41)
10. Simple Life (1:48)
11. Leo (8:55)
12. All We Have is Now (5:30)
The album was mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö (Unisound) and the artwork designed by Robert Muda van Hamel (Spacebar). It will be released on 14 July (the birthday of LEO) and at that day a documentary about the album will be premiered in The Hague (NL), as well. More info:
www.leothealbum.com
ABOUT KOEN HERFST
Koen Herfst has worked with ARMIN VAN BUUREN, EPICA, THE GENTLE STORM (ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN), I CHAOS & DEW-SCENTED amongst many others and was awarded ‘Best Hardrock/Metal drummer of the Benelux’ 5 years in a row by readers of Dutch drum magazine ‘Slagwerkkrant’. He hosts his own drumfestival ‘Herfstfest’, formed a new band with SAXON’s Paul Quinn (THE CARDS) and recently played with JOHN PETRUCCI on the Sena Guitar Awards.
www.koenherfst.com |
facebook.com/koenherfst |
youtube.com/koenherfst |
instagram.com/koenherfst
released July 14, 2019