Angelic Forces is a Heavy Metal band from the Netherlands that is strongly influenced by the 80's Hard Rock/Metal scene. Back in 2o10, vocalist-Harold de Vries & bassist-Wilco van der Meij were both in a band called Methusalem who, in the same year, released a full-length album titled 'Unite and Conquer'. Even though the album was well received by their fans, in 2014 Harold and Wilco decided it was time for a change and left the band however Wilco couldn't walk away from the Metal music he had grown to love and decided to start another Metal band. So Vocalist-Harold de Vries & bassist-Wilco van der Meij set out to form a new band and were soon able to add to the lineup drummer-Rudie Kingma and guitarist-Maurice Gijsman(L.S.D.). By the Spring of 2015 the band was complete and then the new group began to contemplate a band name. The band quickly decided on the moniker - 'Angelic Forces' because it was a good fit for the style of music the band wanted to play. The band states that "the name Angelic Forces comes from the Deliverance song "Slay the Wicked" ...the first line is: "Angelic forces fighting the battles" On June 2016 Angelic Forces recorded their first single and that same month, after its first release, the single received positive reactions worldwide.
Some bands that have influenced the members of Angelic Forces are Van Halen, Rez, Stryper, Darrell Mansfield, Guns N' Roses, Messiah Prophet, Iron Maiden, Dream Theatre, Neal Morse, and many more.
Some bands that have influenced the members of Angelic Forces are Van Halen, Rez, Stryper, Darrell Mansfield, Guns N' Roses, Messiah Prophet, Iron Maiden, Dream Theatre, Neal Morse, and many more.
In 2018 Angelic Forces stepped onto the Metal scene with the release of their self-titled 3-track EP released
on an independent label. Within this release one will find that the arrangements are creative and well thought out showing strong signs of a mature band. I have to give props to the band because the production is well done for an independent release. Another cool feature is that the album's cover art really stands out and screams heavy Metal with the sword being a symbol of "The truth that will strike you with full force".
on an independent label. Within this release one will find that the arrangements are creative and well thought out showing strong signs of a mature band. I have to give props to the band because the production is well done for an independent release. Another cool feature is that the album's cover art really stands out and screams heavy Metal with the sword being a symbol of "The truth that will strike you with full force".
One thing worth noting is that track 1 "Thunder and Lightning" is, to some extent, an anthem theme song for Metal music... "Thunder and Lightning" - Thunder and lightning comes down from the sky - The sound of true metal creation provides - We hold tight, to the power of his might - Screaming guitars and a sound loud and clear - You can't deny it, the truth you will hear - We bring light, to the children of the night - (Couplet 2) Blasphemy, that will be not forgiven - It's against the spirit of the lord - A holy war of right and wrong - We fight you from the stage - Heavy metal warriors, filled with love not rage - (Pre chorus) We got the power from the source - The truth that will strike you with full force - Metal Metal Metal - Metal Metal Metal!!
Harold de Vries is the frontman for Angelic Forces and delivers in the mid to upper ranges throughout this EP. If I had to make a comparison to Harold's vocal style I would have to say that it's similar to vocalist-Josef Mineur(Messenger EP-'Perfect Storm') or vocalist-Brian Miller(Saint).
The shred is managed by a duo guitar approach with axeman-Harold de Vries on lead guitars & axeman-Maurice Gijsman on guitars as well. Not only handling vocals, Harold de Vries is also quite capable behind 6 strings - wielding a heavy axe and shredding everything in his path. Harold and Gijsman command the stage with everything from galloping guitars to Thrash to Heavy shredn' to Power Metal riffs and to basic noodling. Our duo team do a fine job of combining the 80's era techniques with newer more modern techniques.
Wilco van der Meij handles the Bass for the band and does a good job of keeping the sound full and heavy.
Rudie Kingma unleashes his furry on the Drums mostly staying true to the 80's style of play as he brings the house down.
Rudie Kingma unleashes his furry on the Drums mostly staying true to the 80's style of play as he brings the house down.
"We are 4 Christian guys in a heavy metal band.
We don't put a label on our band, so we just call it a "heavy metal band". But the fact that we are Christians you can read it through our songs, they are about Christianity."
We don't put a label on our band, so we just call it a "heavy metal band". But the fact that we are Christians you can read it through our songs, they are about Christianity."
"Angelic Forces"
(Couplet 1)
Demons crawl upon the earth
They want to bring us down
Slaughtering everybody
They want to take the crown
The land is black
All hope is gone
Can there be a way
Stand up and fight
Look into the light
God hear our call
(Pre chorus)
FIGHT, that's what we do
FIGHT, against the doom
FIGHT, and see the light
FIGHT, that puts us through
"Never Fade"
When everything is gone
And your whole life seems so empty
Wait for another change
The rock will set you free
(Pre chorus)
His blood, his life, it was given to survive
Bow down, to the one, the giver of life
(Couplet 1)
Demons crawl upon the earth
They want to bring us down
Slaughtering everybody
They want to take the crown
The land is black
All hope is gone
Can there be a way
Stand up and fight
Look into the light
God hear our call
(Pre chorus)
FIGHT, that's what we do
FIGHT, against the doom
FIGHT, and see the light
FIGHT, that puts us through
"Never Fade"
When everything is gone
And your whole life seems so empty
Wait for another change
The rock will set you free
(Pre chorus)
His blood, his life, it was given to survive
Bow down, to the one, the giver of life
With their seft-titled EP, Angelic Forces has offered up a solid release to the Metal community. However, this 2018 offering has left this listener hungry for more. Lets get behind Angelic Forces so that in the near future, they can release a solid full-length album.
Physical CD's can be purchased by contacting Angelic Forces via Facebook & then the band will contact the person for further details.
The following link will take you to the band's Facebook page:
The following link will take you to the band's Facebook page:
Musicians:
Harold de Vries-Lead Vocals/Guitars
Maurice Gijsman-Guitars/Vocals
Wilco van der Meij-Bass/Vocals
Rudie Kingma-Drums
Harold de Vries-Lead Vocals/Guitars
Maurice Gijsman-Guitars/Vocals
Wilco van der Meij-Bass/Vocals
Rudie Kingma-Drums