Atlantis interview with Gilson Heitinga – October, 2014

Atlantis © Tjeerd Paul Jacobs
Atlantis © Tjeerd Paul Jacobs

Damnation festival is one of the most known metal indoors festivals in UK, happening every autumn. As every year, the very first November weekend metalheads meet up in Leeds for the short, one day indoors heavy feast. This year among many well known and sound names, there are several less known but still very interesting bands. Atlantis from Netherlands is one of them. Their sound is hard to describe, yet they look promising and inviting to check them at one of the Damnation stages. Atlantis guitarist and vocalist Gilson Heitinga answers Panetmosh questions about the band, Damnation festival and plans for the future.

Can you give the readers a quick introduction to the band?

Atlantis is a band from the Netherlands. Our music is a combination of metal, rock, electronics and ambient.

How would you describe your sound?

Multilayered synths and beats meets heavy guitars. To create a wall of sound.

What has been the bands biggest achievement so far?

To be able to still do this after 7 years. To be invited to play Roadburn two times. Playing Beyond the Redshift, and now Damnation. This has been a very busy year for us.

Are you working on another studio album?

Yes, I just started writing for the next album. I hope to have it out late 2015. I’m experimenting with atmospheres, different vibes.. can’t wait to see where it will go.

Next month you are going to play in Damnation festival for the very first time. What can the audience expect from you at the festival?

I think we might be the odd one out. But that is always a good thing. People can expect a show filled with atmosphere and big riffs. We like to drag them in and letting them go with the final note.

What are you looking forward to most in Damnation festival?

There are so many good bands this year! Bands that I grew up with, and new and exciting bands like Bast and Hark. Looking forward to see as many bands I can. And, of course, playing ourselves. We are truly very excited.

What is your opinion of the Damnation line-up?

I think it’s a great line-up! Very diverse and crushing. I think it might be one of the best line-ups I’ve seen for a festival. Plus it’s their 10th year! So it’s going to be a lot of fun!

Can you sum up Damnation in one sentence?

Heavy skull crushing mayhem.

How would you describe the metal music today? What has changed over the last few years?

I think metal music is very healthy these days. I was a bit skeptical a few years back, but there is a lot going on and bands are blending different genres and coming up with new sounds. I think it’s exciting time to be honest.

What are your plans for the rest of the year?

We are going to do a few more shows and ending the year with our own Rapture Fest. Looking forward to that. In the meantime we are starting to work on the new album.

Any message you wish to pass on to the Planetmosh readers?

Come and see our set at Damnation this year, come by for a drink afterwards. Hope to see many of you there! And stay up to date about us out on our Facebook page.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/atlantisrocks

http://www.atlantisnoise.com/

About Jurga Kalinauskaite

Photographer, journalist, curious wanderer.