(TMR) Hello to to you from The Metal Resource Holland, how are things going there ?

(NA) Hi there! Everything is going fine over here.

(TMR) Will you Introduce yourself and the band please ! (name and instrument)

(NA)  My name is André de Heus, I am the founder of Nymphea Aurora and I play the guitars.

The rest of the lineup is: Joyce de Heus-Loeffen – Guitars, Thomas Mattijssen – Synths, Andreas Jongeneel – Drums, GertJan Ten Brinke – Vocals and Mario van Elst – Bass guitar.

(TMR) Is this your first band, what other bands have you guys been in. ? (for everyone personal)

André: I have been in tons of bands. Most of them are not worthy to mention but I have been active (and still am) in Mytox (brutal industrial metal), Serenity Forgotten (Funeral Doom), Serenade Of Darkness (Black), Erosion (Doom), Depth (Death/grind) and many more.

Thomas: I've been playing in multiple bands since I was 16 (probably about 15). Most of these bands never got past the practising stage, so in some way you could say that Nymphea Aurora is my first 'serious' band, as it was the first band with which I actually got on the stage. I've mostly been playing in rock or metal bands, ranging from prog to folk/black metal and simple covers in the beginning.Currently, I am busy with quite a few projects apart from Nymphea Aurora. I play leadguitar and sing in punk band Jos en de Tosti's (www.myspace.com/josendetostis), which is currently recording it's first album Koekje d'r Bij. I also have a more doomy project together with Merlijn from Akelei, which is called Despare (www.myspace.com/projectdespare). We make a mix of Ambient, Industrial and (Funeral) Doom with some influences from classic music. I have a solo-project which is currently called Thom Matthew (www.myspace.com/thommatthewmusic) in which I just write things I feel like writing. I am also working on some other things occasionally, but they are currently not important enough to mention and I am busy enough already.

Mario: Polite (punk), Amethist (doom/death metal), Depth (grindcore), Cerulean Twilight (doom/death metal), Erosion (Doom)

Joyce: Yes, but some bands only lasted a few months or so. Except my band Mytox. I’m making a demo right now.

Andreas: Dazzling Darkness, a heavythrash metal band that never had a vocalist and didn't come out of the practice room. Drowned In Torment, deathrash, Repulse, deathcore and some sessionwork for André's project Serenity Forgotten.

GertJan: Nymphea aurora is the third band I’m singin in. I was the singer in Amethist(doom/death) and Prima-nocte(death)
I’m also dong vocals for the ”flowersgrave” project (gothic/rock/metal)

(TMR) Can you tell us something about the origin of  'Nymphea Aurora'  ?

(NA) I was a few years “bandless” and couldn’t find the musicians I wanted so I started a solo-project called “Phantasmagoria” which was symphonic darkwave at the time. After the release of the first demo I decided to use more instruments than just synths. The music grew more into a doom metal sound. After 2 years I deceided to search for musicians and start a band. I believe that was in 2003. In 2004 we decided to change the bandname into Nymphea Aurora because there already were some bands by the name Phantasmagoria and that name wasn’t representative for the band anymore.

(TMR) Does the name 'Nymphea Aurora'  means something ? Is there a story behind the name ?

(NA) Actually it’s Nympheae Aurora, but  we thought it was easier to write it as Nymphea Aurora, it’s also easier to find us on the internet. Nymphea Aurora is a latin name for a water lily, that’s it. No further stories, the name just sounded cool for us.

(TMR) Who writes the music/lyrics in  'Nymphea Aurora' ? .. how do you get in the mood for writing music? And which bands/situations have influences you for writing music and lyrics ?

(NA) I write the music and lyrics in the band. I get in the mood when I start writing. If I get an idea I just sit behind my computer and start writing. The mood gets in very soon and the lyrics write themselves. For the music it’s basicly the same. I get an idea for a riff or a melody, then I get behind my pc and start playing and recording.
Nowadays it’s a little different. GJ en Thomas are gonna write some lyrics now and we’ll see how these are like and the music is basicly the same except the structure of the song is now a bandprocess. This way everyone has their input and I have to say that the songs are getting way better.

(TMR) How do you describe the music of  'Nymphea Aurora'  the best ?

(NA)  I describe our style as “Blasting Old School Doom Death Metal”. The basis is doom death metal and is very much influenced by the early 90’s doom death metalbands and since Andreas is in the band we use blastbeats, I think the way we use them is rather unique.

(TMR) How does  'Nymphea Aurora'  stands in life till events in the world, religion and politics and in which proportion stands that till your music and lyrics ? 

(NA) Well, we all have our problems and our “dark” periods in life. That’s what the music and lyrics are about. Religion and politics are not a part of Nymphea Aurora. We have our certain beliefs and opinions of course but that’s with the members on personal basis.

(TMR) For a lot of bands the lyrics are just a accidental circumstance, but for some bands they use them to communicate ! ..can you tell us how that is for  'Nymphea Aurora'   ?

(NA) I try to write down my feelings and emotions down from my dark periods. I don’t have a statement or message in my lyrics, everybody can interpret the lyrics how they like.

(TMR) What is the message you want to bring with  'Nymphea Aurora'  ?

(NA)  I think I’ve already answered this question J

(TMR) Is there a highlight you will always remember, since the beginning of  'Nymphea Aurora'  ? (for everyone personal)

André: Yeah, quite a few highlights actually but I have to say that it was very awesome to play with Rotting Christ. They are one of my favo bands atm.

Joyce; My first live gig was pretty cool. Making the promo was a good learning experience. And our first gig in Belgium this month.

Andreas: - The first gig of Nymphea Aurora wich I played in Rotterdam at the Dutch Doom Days in 2007. DVD-recordings, plenty of audience and a nice show.

Thomas: For me personally, my first gig with Nymphea was the most special one, even though we probably played better shows. It was at Dutch Doom Day 2006, and for me the first time to perform on stage with a band. I was very nervous and the crowd was really enthusiastic. I remember feeling really proud when I got off the stage.  

Mario: Playing in Dynamo in Eindhoven.

GertJan: The highlight for me was playing at the dutch doom days 2006

(TMR) And the worst thing ? (for everyone personal) were ? (if there is one)

André: The worst things for me are the many line-up changes and the gigs that are cancelled

Thomas: All the cancelled gigs. I don't even know anymore how many gigs we had to cancel. Mostly because of things we couldn't do anything about, headliners dropping out, venues cancelling etc. There was one gig on a festival in Arnhem where I invited all my friends, and in the end both Andre and I were ill that day and we had to cancel, I think that one was the most disappointing for me. And it was also a bit disappointing that we were not able to go on tour through Europe even though we had the opportunity twice. But well, we've all got our daily lives (jobs, studies).

Mario: Changing bandmembers.

Joyce: Not being able to perform or practice. Our last show was cancelled. Other then that it’s been pretty good.

Andreas: Last Saturday, we thought we could play with Officium Triste finally, but the venue was closed by the local government for safety reasons.

GertJan: There is for me not realy a worst one, in every gig there are parts that ar ok and parts that are not, every gig I do I see as a new experience I can learn from either good or bad

(TMR) What is your favorite food and drink ? for everyone personal (no idea why people always want to know that)

André: I like homemade pizza and lasagne and I love Greek food. My favorite drinks are: Coffee, Water and Cola.

Thomas: I like wild meat. It's really different from all the bio-industry-mass-production meat. I also like chocolat or other candy. I have a lot of favorite dishes, but of most I don't know the english name. I like to drink beer and liquor, coke, sprite/7up or just fruitjuices.

Mario: Food: spicy food. Drink: Scottish Whiskey, beer, Wodka.

Joyce: Crabcocktail. Mjammie. And wiskey, pina colada, etc.

Andreas: Favorite drink is coffee, pure black and strong coffee. Favorite food? I don't know, I can get really happy when I eat in a good restaurant.

GertJan: I really like Greek- , Chineese food
my favorite drinks are :  Guinnes, beer in general, Bacardi with coke. 

(TMR) Are you visiting many gigs by yourself and what do you listen to these days? (for everyone personal)

André: No, not so much unfortunatly. Since the birth of my daughter I haven’t got the time to go and I rather spend some time with her at the moment. I do like to play live so we can still meet and see other bands. I listen to Rotting Christ, Ahab, Evile, Editors, Divine Heresy, My Shameful, Blood Red Throne and so on...

Thomas: I used to go to quite a lot of gigs in the past, usually around twice a month. But nowadays, I usually only go if it's something I really want to see. Usually not more often than once a month. I listen to quite a lot of different music. I don't really have a favorite genre at the moment, but most of it is music with a guitar in it. If I have to name a few tags: (neo)progressive rock/metal, trip-hop, gothic metal (not the symphonic kind), doom metal, pop, 80s, classic rock, classical music, hiphop, new wave. My favorite band is Marillion, other favorite acts include Paradise Lost, Tiamat, Dire Straits, Pink Floyd, Frank Boeijen Groep, Anathema and Portishead.

Mario: I used to go to concerts very often. The last 2 years it's maybe once in 2 month's. These days I listen to many style's.  Doom, Death Thrash and Heavy metal are my favorites, but i listen also to punk, hardcore, (hard)rock, industrial and sixties music. Sometimes classic music.

Joyce: Nope, not at the moment. A lot of Divine Heresy, Krisiun, and many more.

Andreas: I don't visit a lot of concerts, most bands I appreciate don't play in Netherlands or not on the days that I'm able to visit the concert. Besides metal I listen to bands like Woven Hand and some terror/speedcore artists, I also listen to old reformed churchmusic sometimes. But less metal than before.

GertJan: I often go to gigs , I like many sorts of music,  metal, punk-rock, gothic, psycho-billy, speedrock , nick cave, tom waits and some oldies like Leonard cohen, simon and garfunkle enz.

(TMR) What is your all-time album top 5 ? (for everyone personal)

(TMR)  Tell us about the metal scene in your area please?

(NA) We do have a metal scene here in our region. There are mostly death metalbands but it’s always fun. There are also a few venues who book metal bands reguraly so that’s great.

(TMR) Name some of your favorite bands to play with live (past & future) and tell us why ? (for everyone personal)

André: I would like to play with the founders of the doom/death scene like Paradise Lost, The Gathering, Celestial Season, Anathema, My Dying Bride and so on but that’s not possible for some. Most of the bands switched their musical direction but I still would like to play with them. Thomas: I really like to play with Faal. They are a very good band and they are really nice people. Officium Triste are great too as I really enjoy their music, same goes for Esoteric! I'm proud that we already performed with so many great bands, hopefully there'll come a lot more!

Mario: Syrach was a nice band to play with. Nice guys to talk, drink and have fun with.  I hope we can play in the future with Officium Triste because everytime we will play with them it wil be cancelled or someone is getting sick. Can somebody break the curse??? heheh. Also i like to play with My Dying Bride. It's one of my most favorite bands. Playing with Iron Maiden it's a dream for me.

Joyce: I’m not very into doom. So there no bands in that genre i know if i haven’t performed with them. Except Officium Triste. Third time a show was cancelled with them as headliners. Other genres. Rotting Christ. I never listened to them, but they blew me away live. Fear Factory. Pure emotion from Burton. Slayer is always good. And all my other fav bands. The list is endless.

Andreas: The band of a friend Tom that was the engineer of our promo, Nemesyz, just because it's fun to play with friends on the same stage.

GertJan: I would like to share the stage with “Syrach” aigain. I like their rock and roll attitude !!
In the future it would be great to share the stage with OFFICIUM TRISTE , JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE Officium triste!

(TMR)  What can you tell us about your latest demo / promo cd  'Never comes silence' ?  (like the songs / recordingproces / label)

(NA) It’s a preview for our upcoming album “Time Will Tell”. We decided to record a promo to see of the cooperation with an engineer we know personally would work out, and it did! His name is Tom de Wit and we think he did a hell of a job for us. The recordingprocess was very slow because of his sickness and some personal things from our site. But we’re satisfied.

(TMR) You are playing at the second edition of 'Brainstorm Festival'  which will be held in the Netherlands this november, what are your expectations about that ?

(NA) It’s a big festival with great names and we’re looking forward to play there. I hope to see many bands and that a lot of people will be there. This festival is also sponsored by big names in the metal scene so I think that will draw some attention.

(TMR) What can the crowd expect from  'Nymphea Aurora'  in the nearly future ?  (a full lenght album maybe)

(NA) Yes, we’re working on some new songs for our upcoming album. We’re trying to find a label to release it. And,  we want to play live as much as possible so people can see us.

(TMR)  Guys thanx for your time and the interview !! we wish  'Nymphea Aurora'  all the best   !
......is there anything you wanna say at last ? (any final statement ?)

(NA) Thank you! Be sure to check our promo “Never Comes Silence”. It’s available for free on our Last-FM site. Keep on checking our site and myspace for updates on the band! Stay Doom!!