The Dutchwoman is known for her versatility, her musical biography accordingly dazzling. Many will remember her as the frontwoman of The Gathering, and she has also drawn attention to herself through numerous collaborations with Devin Townsend, Arjen Lucassen, Anathema and Within Temptation. With her prog project Vuur (Dutch for "fire") and solo she rocks the stages of European clubs and has already released six albums under her own name. Why "The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest" has become less rocky and much more intimate instead, she explains in an eclipsed interview
eclipsed: What's the story behind your new album? Actually you wanted to make another Vuur album.
Arjen Lucassen is jittery. Highly nervous. It is the beginning of February, and the slag from the Dutch town of Oudenbosch is currently preparing for some acoustic concerts that will soon take him across Europe together with singer Anneke van Giersbergen. Over eight years have passed since his last gigs with Stream Of Passion, and those who know Lucassen know how unpleasant, almost painful such undertakings are for him. And so it is hardly surprising that the 54-year-old is not part of the recently started tour of the new band The Gentle Storm, put together around front woman Anneke van Giersbergen. Also the performance at the "Night Of The Prog"-Festival will take place without Lucassen.
eclipsed: Although you are known to be reluctant to tour, you are now playing live again. How's that?
