Recently MindShade was interviewed by Joost Schreurs from '3voor12' from Dutch network VPRO. We talked about musical influences, determining the right sound for MindShade and our plans for 2012 with the recordings for the debutalbum and live gigs.

Below the article written by Joost Schreurs fromVPRO 3voor12 and translated by us. You can read the original (in Dutch only) on the website of 3voor12.

MindShade: more than just female-fronted metal

We meet MindShade on a Sunday afternoon in their rehearsal studio in Woerden, The Netherlands. 2012 will be an interesting year for MindShade. The band wants to release their first full length album next year and handles all recordings and mixing themselves. This way they can have total control on the creative process.

"Writing and recording will be more time-consuming than average, but that's ok. I think we sound like a real band now, more and more like a complete unit.", elaborates vocalist Nienke Verboom. "When we recorded the first demo, we weren't playing together for a long time. Now we are more connected as individual musicians and as a complete band. You can really hear that in the new songs.” We also have a new second guitarist, which promises a heavier, darker sound and more double-voiced guitars".

There are a lot of female-fronted metalbands out there, but MindShade expects to create their own unique sound within the genre. "We are more a metalband with a female classical vocalist”, states bass player and grunter Jeroen van Noort. Nienke adds: “For starters, we don't have a keyboard player. Moreover, you can hear more influences from doom metal and less 'traditional' gothic metal.”

To create that heavier guitar sound, second guitarist Eli de Kruijf joined MindShade earlier this year. According to the band, Eli is more a 'heavy metal guitarist', where other guitar player Norbert is more influenced by classic rock.

Talking about influences: on their website Nienke states that Michael Jackson is one of her favorite artists and a huge inspiration. An unusual choice for a metal musician. “Ever since I can remember, I've listened to his music and have been a huge fan", explains Verboom. "I truly admire his way of singing. Although I'm a classical singer, I always try to use techniques from other styles like pop music. The way Michael Jackson used to sing will always be an inspiration.”

After the release of the album, MindShade wants to play quite a few live gigs to promote the band and the album. Also, a professional booking agency is on the wishlist for 2012. “And maybe we'll play some more talentshows", adds Verboom. "We already made it to the semi-finals for the Secret of Starsound (Het Geheim Van Starsound). To our own surprise actually, because competitions like this are not easy for heavy metalbands. Or try Metal Battle for a spot on Wacken Open Air. That would be awesome!”