EMQ’s With The Aurora Project
EMQ’s With The Aurora Project
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Dutch Progressive Rock/ Metal band, The Aurora Project. Huge thanks to them for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
We are The Aurora Project, a progressive rock/metal band from the Netherlands.
Lineup:
Dennis Binnekade – Vocals
Remco van den Berg – Guitar
Marc Vooijs (†2017) – Guitar, Lyrics (Founding Member)
Marcel “Mox” Guyt – Keys
Joris Bol – Drums
Rob Krijgsman – Drums
We’ve been playing together since 1992, starting out as a bunch of friends jamming while playing Magic: The Gathering. At some point, we realized we were spending more time playing Rush and The 3rd and the Mortal than actually playing Magic. So, naturally, we decided to form a band. We thought we were just making music, but after playing ProgPower Europe, we discovered we were making Progressive music—so here we are!
How did you come up with your band name?
We absolutely adore The 3rd and the Mortal—they have a song called ‘Aurora Borealis’, which inspired us. Also, in the beginning, we toyed with the idea of making our band a “project” featuring different guest musicians… but we liked each other too much to go through with that part.
What Country/Region are you from, and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
We hail from the Netherlands, where Prog Rock and Metal thrive. There’s a passionate fanbase, and festivals like ProgPower Europe have given many bands (including us!) a solid platform. Bands like The Gathering and Ayreon paved the way for weird and wonderful prog sounds, and we’re happy to be part of that tradition.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
Our latest release is “EVOS12”, the first part of the two-album EVOS concept. It picks up where World of Grey left off, diving into what happens after a dystopian collapse. It’s got deep themes, big riffs, and even a podcast to go with it.
Listen here:
Spotify – The Aurora Project
Who have been your greatest influences?
Top of the list: The 3rd and the Mortal. Their music is a spiritual experience for us. Also, Pink Floyd, Rush, and The Gathering have shaped our sound. Imagine blending Prog, Doom Metal, and Alternative Rock, and you’ve got us.
What first got you into music?
We all needed an escape. For some, it was hearing Rush or Pink Floyd and realizing that music could build worlds. For others, it was just picking up an instrument and never putting it down.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician, who would it be?
Without hesitation: The 3rd and the Mortal. If they ever reunite, call us!
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Midsummer Prog! It’s an outdoor festival, which means we could soak up the sun while melting faces with our music. Chef’s Kiss.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thanks for sticking with us through thick and thin, dystopias and jams. You are the reason we do this!
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
It’s a toss-up between Neil Peart and Jimi Hendrix. On one hand, mind-blowing drumming. On the other, face-melting solos. Can we just have both?
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Love: That magical moment when a random jam turns into a real song.
Hate: Carrying gear. Seriously, why is it so heavy?
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
More love for niche genres! The world needs more Prog, more concept albums, and more six-minute guitar solos.
Name one of your all-time favorite albums.
“Painting on Glass” by The 3rd and the Mortal. That album is pure magic.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs, or Downloads?
Vinyl for the experience. Streaming for not having to carry crates of vinyl everywhere.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Definitely ProgPower Europe. That was the moment we realized: “Wait, people actually love what we do!”
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Well… we still have day jobs because prog metal isn’t exactly a get-rich-quick scheme. So we’d probably just be doing that.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
- David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) – For the atmosphere.
- Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) – So we can ask why he keeps changing genres.
- Björk – Because we need some chaotic energy at the table.
- Neil Peart (Rush, if time travel allowed) – To philosophize about drumming and life.
- Carl Sagan – Because someone needs to explain the universe.
What’s next for the band?
We’re working on the second part of the EVOS project. After that, we might switch to EPs or singles—so we don’t keep you waiting too long between albums!
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Website: www.theauroraproject.com
Instagram: @theauroraproject_band
Spotify: The Aurora Project Spotify
There’s a long-standing food-based debate here in the UK. And we’d like your help. So… A Jaffa cake – is it a cake or a biscuit? Discuss!
It’s a cake masquerading as a biscuit—just like Prog Metal is Metal dressed as Prog.
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
