After Forever celebrate 25 years of symphonic metal magic in Tilburg

On October 5th, Tilburg’s 013 once again became the beating heart of symphonic metal. After Forever, one of the genre’s defining bands, took the stage for a special anniversary show — celebrating 25 years since their debut Prison of Desire.

Although After Forever officially disbanded in 2008, Mark Jansen, Sander Gommans, André Borgman (replaced by Arien van Weesenbeek for the show), and Luuk van Gerven reunited for this one-time event. Joined by Angel Wolf-Black (SheWolf), Bas Maas (Doro/After Forever), and Jeffrey Revet (Stream of Passion), they breathed new life into the songs that once helped define an entire era of symphonic metal.

From the very first announcement, it was clear this would be more than just nostalgia. It was a heartfelt homage to the band’s legacy — and to the fans who have kept that legacy alive for over two decades. People from around the world travelled to the Netherlands to witness this once-in-a-lifetime show.

At exactly 8:30 PM, the first notes of Ex Cathedra echoed through the venue, followed by Monolith of Doubt. The atmosphere erupted. The chemistry between band and audience was immediate — both sides clearly savoured every second of this long-awaited moment.

Angel Wolf-Black delivered a stunning performance, paying respect to Floor Jansen’s original vocals while adding her own signature strength and emotion.

The setlist covered nearly every track from Prison of Desire and Decipher, including fan favourites like My Pledge of Allegiance, Emphasis, Intrinsic, and Beyond Me. One particularly emotional highlight came when former members Joep Beckers and Jack Driessen joined the band on stage for Wings of Illusion and Follow in the Cry, adding another layer of history to the night.

Performed live, the songs sounded as powerful and relevant as ever, proving that After Forever’s music still resonates after 25 years. The band’s presence was both commanding and heartfelt — full of smiles, genuine emotion, and a shared sense of gratitude.

As the final song ended, all members gathered at the front of the stage for a photo with the audience — visibly moved and overwhelmed by the sea of raised horns before them.

Two hours flew by like minutes. The crowd left smiling and emotional — grateful to have witnessed a night that may never happen again.