Alex van den Heuvel - Grunts and Bass
1. To say the least Annatar as it currently stands it vastly different with the loss of half the band recently. How is the new line up coming together?
Annatar is doing quite well. We are working still on making Annatar stronger then before. Still we had to say goodbye to Daniel, our most recent drummer. His spot is now temporarily filled by David de Waal (Magion.) So still one vacancy to fill. We're just starting auditions. Luckily David really liked to help us out so there's less of a hurry.
2.Let's talk about the re-entry of Liesbeth into Annatar as the lead vocalist. When did you know she was the right one for the job?
Well to be honest, she wasn't the first person come up to mind to fill in the lead singers spot at first. We parted not at the best of terms, so not the most logical choice.
First we started with auditions and had several good and less good singers auditioning. Most importantly seperate from singing skills were also what the persons ambitions where and how she lay in the group. Being a woman on your own between 5 men isn't easy.
Since we where still busy auditioning and still had some gigs comming up, we also needed a temp till the final singer was found.
One suggestion first as joke was made to ask Liesbeth. We had a laugh about that. Later on we came around, thinking it wouldn't be that bad an idea. So we asked her. We learned then she really was much more mature, way better a singer and things just worked out for the best. The auditions just didn't beat her singing and then we finally chose to stop kidding ourselves. We really needed her, and she really wanted to stay.
3. What has been the biggest difference with Liesbeth this time in contrast with her first work with the band?
Well her singing got really more mature, she really amazed us with the ease she can come up with lirics, singing lines etc.?
4. Was it ever considered calling it quits with Annatar or changing the name after so many member changes?
Surely it has been said aloud, but then again, the main people who started Annatar are still in Annatar and Liesbeth came back as our original singer. So only 2 original people left ;) So why change name when the core is still Annatar?
5. They say adversity and trials makes one stronger. Do you think this is the case with Annatar?
Yes thats a big sure! When you play as long in a band as ten years, you are due to come up to a point when peoples lifes change, tastes change. Priorities change. Bram and Mischa both had interesses in very different styles of music as we made with Annatar. They were like family after so many years playing together, so it became hard for them to leave. Still it gets harder to play and have them being still enthausiastic about Annatar. Now with all the new input we really finally are gettting forward again... And going strong!!
6. Even with the major losses in the band Annatar have managed some impressive shows, including one with Stream of Passion. How was that experience?
That's always amazing, playing gig's that are fully loaded, onstage with bands you also like to listen to at home yourself always gives great satisfaction!
7. We see a new line up, will we see a new album anytime soon?
We're? now writing new music and in the meanwhile we are auditioning drummers. We like to play gig's this year and make a good start in recording the pre-recordings. The new album will not be this year. We're aiming on 4th quarter 2009. Depends on how soon we find our new drummer.
8. What is it about Annatar that has made you have such drive to keep it going?
Playing gigs with music we like to make ourself is really addicting. We have a nice fanbase, and we still think we have the possibillity to grow. We have lots and lots of new ideas to put into music, so we are not stopping soon at all!!!
9. What is the most important lesson learned over the past year or so?
Never accept half commitment, you either want to go fully forward or you don't.
10. Annatar are coming up on the 10 year anniversary. What stands out in your mind as a few of the highlights from the past years?
Almost getting a record deal of Transmission Records, playing at Westerpop's Peter Tetteroo bokaal, winning the 'Vlietpopslag' and play on Vlietpop, playing with bands as: Stream of Passion, Epica, After Forever, Autumn, Trail of Tears etc. We really like to thanks our fans for all the support trough the years!