Dutch post-metal trio An Evening With Knives returns with End of Time, a powerful evolution in their sound. We spoke with them about their new drummer, sonic expansion, and the personal stories behind their music.
1. Your
new album End of Time marks an evolution in your sound. How
would you describe the journey from your previous records to this one?
Our last
album was released just a few days before the first COVID lockdown. The
unexpected downtime that followed gave us the space to jam and experiment with
our sound. We pushed ourselves to explore new extremes in aggression, tempo,
and atmosphere. During this period, we wrote around 15 tracks, 10 of which were
recorded. Eight made it onto the new album, while the remaining two may still
be released in the future.
2. You’ve introduced a new drummer, Jarno van Osch. How has his addition
influenced the songwriting and overall dynamics of the band?
With Jarno
on drums, our possibilities as a band have expanded significantly. It’s a
luxury to be able to run with a wild idea and have a drummer who can handle
nearly any style.
Jarno is an intense and dynamic player, which is clearly reflected on the new
record. AEWK is more aggressive and fiercer than ever before.
3. The
album features a blend of heavier riffs, psychedelic textures, and deeply
personal themes. Can you share the inspiration behind this sonic shift?
Every song
on the album is rooted in personal experiences. For me, it doesn’t make sense
to write about things that don’t affect me in some way. There’s a lot happening
in the world right now—history seems to be repeating itself. Unfortunately,
many of the lyrics feel more relevant and urgent with each passing day.
Musically,
we’ve pushed our boundaries even further. These days, the sky’s the limit, and
you can really hear that on the record. I actually don’t listen to much music
within our own genre. Most of what I spin is funk and soul—though that
influence hasn’t crept in just yet… maybe in the future, haha!
What
matters most to me is that the riffs have a strong identity and speak for
themselves. I love a thick, heavy metal riff, but I also get bored of them
quickly. The diversity we can bring to AEWK now is a breath of fresh air.
4. The
title End of Time suggests something apocalyptic or
profound. What themes and emotions drive this album?
Every song
is based on personal experiences that have left a mark on me. To highlight one:
the title song End of Time was inspired by a letter I received
from the father of a close friend. He had converted to Christianity and urged
me to do the same. In his letter, he warned that the world was coming to an end
and that this was my last chance to avoid eternal damnation.
Sadly, he
passed away recently.
5. Tracks
like Pride of Lions and S21 seem to have
intriguing titles. Can you dive into the meaning behind these songs?
Pride of
Lions – The
image of a caged lion really resonated with me. A lion is the king of the
jungle, yet it holds no power or strength when it’s trapped. Pride of
Lions is about reclaiming control—overpowering your oppressor. It’s
almost like a rebel anthem where the underdog rises up and wins.
S21 – A few years ago, I visited
S21 in Cambodia. It was once a primary school, but during the Khmer Rouge
regime, it was turned into a torture prison. The song reflects on how an
"innocent" interrogation can escalate step by step into full-scale
torture. The atrocities that took place there were beyond comprehension—entire
families were tortured and murdered purely out of Pol Pot’s paranoia.
6. For
this album, did you take a different approach in the studio compared to your
past releases? Any new techniques or gear that played a key role?
Not really,
to be honest. Of course, there were some changes—like my Les Paul Gold Top, a
few new effects pedals, and just having more experience overall. But at its
core, our approach remained the same. Once again, Pieter Kloos was behind the
mixing desk.
This time,
we tracked the main recordings in a space in Eindhoven that had an absolutely
incredible sound. But all the overdubs, vocals, and additional recordings were
done back at Pieter Kloos' Void Studio, just like before.
7. You’re
celebrating the album release with a special hometown show in Eindhoven. What
can fans expect from this performance?
Just
a massive party. We’ll be playing the entire new album, along with a set of
older bangers. The great thing about a hometown show is that it brings together
so many AEWK friends and fans—it almost feels like a family gathering.
Oh, and the
show is already sold out!
8. Your
music is often compared to bands like Cult of Luna and Amenra. How do you see
An Evening With Knives carving its own path within the post-metal scene?
Well…
as I mentioned earlier, I’m not deeply immersed in our genre. We write what
feels good and interesting to us. People often ask what style we actually play,
and even after all these years, we still don’t have a single clear answer. It’s
a mix of sludge, post-metal, doom, and psychedelic rock.
Because of
that, we may resemble many bands, but we don’t fully align with any one of
them. Maybe that’s exactly what makes AEWK for a lot of people unique.
9. Post-metal
is known for its atmospheric depth and emotional weight. How do you balance
heaviness with melody and storytelling in your songwriting?
There’s no
set formula for it—we just write what feels right. A crushing metal riff is
powerful, but it hits even harder when it follows a quieter passage. Our goal
is to create contrast within our songs so that every section stands out in its
own way and serves the bigger picture.
10. What’s
next for An Evening With Knives after End of Time? Any upcoming
tours, collaborations, or special projects in the works?
For now?
Just a lot of shows and parties!
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