BW&BK Exclusive: AFTER FOREVER Guitarist SANDER GOMMANS Comments On Guitarist JEFF WATERS' Guest Appearance On New Album
April 15, 2007, 17 years ago
BW&BK; recently caught up with AFTER FOREVER guitarist Sander Gommans to discuss the band's forthcoming self-titled album. The following is an excerpt from the interview in which Gommans reveals how ANNIHILATOR guitarist Jeff Waters ended up contributing guitar solos to the song 'De-Energized'.
“We were playing in Berlin and a writer from Aardschock Magazine named Metal Mike was there too," Gommans begins. "I talked to him and he told me Jeff Waters had watched part of the gig. I’m a huge Annihilator and Mike knew that, so he gave me Jeff’s number so I could ask him if he enjoyed the show. I’m not usually the kind of guy that just calls people up, but I did call him and we talked for a bit, and I told him I’d send him the Remagine album. I sent it but I didn’t really expect to get a response, so I was surprised with Jeff mailed me telling me that he really enjoyed specific songs. From there we kept in touch and I eventually asked him if he wanted to play on the new album. For me, having Jeff Waters play on the album is probably one of the most special things that’s happened to me in this band.”When it comes to playing the track live, however, Gommans has no illusions about copying Waters' performance.
“Of course we tried to play the parts, but that’s a little bit insane because Jeff did such a great job and you can’t copy that," he laughs. "Bas (Maas/guitars) is going to play parts of those solos and make the rest of it up himself. He’s done a few versions and we’ve picked out some things that resemble Jeff’s solos. I don’t dare even try to do those solos because I have to sing, and I’m really clumsy when it comes to that kind of stuff anyway (laughs)."
Watch for the full story in the Features section on this page, coming soon. Go to this location to hear an audio sample of 'De-Energized'.
