BW&BK scribe Carl Begai recently received an exclusive listen to AFTER FOREVER guitarist Sander Gommans’ side project HDK’s debut album, System Overload. He has checked in with the following report.

“Having heard the rough HDK mixes during the summer of 2007 I thought I knew what was in store, but the final result goes well beyond all expectations. Considerably heavier than After Forever from the outset, HDK has mutated to become something absolutely monstrous and far more brutal than anything AF fans and naysayers can imagine Gommans putting to tape (or on file as the case may be). Call it the death metal thrash addicted bastard son of After Forever. Gommans has pulled out all the stops, gearing HDK in the direction of the track ‘Transitory’ from the last After Forever record, having removed the brakes in favour of high speed assault peppered heavily with neckwrecking grooves. He also has a lot more space for guitar riffery and uses it to maximun effect, throwing in numerous solos (played by himself and guests such as AYREON mastermind Arjen Lucassen). It’s a safe bet that diehard After Forever fans will be sharply divided as to whether Gommans’ journey to the Dark Side is palatable.

Vocals on System Overload are handled by Gommans, whose growls sound a lot bigger in HDK format. He shares vocal duties with Mike Scheijen (37 STABWOUNDZ), Patrick Savelkoul (CALLENISH CIRCLE), Jos Severens (ex-I WITNESS) and Paul Niessen, while ex-ANGRA / ex-SHAMAN singer Andre Matos puts in an uncharateristically heavy guest performance on the track ‘Request’. Adding melody and somewhat civilized charisma to the album is Amanda Somerville, a one time “aspiring metal bitch” known for her work with EPICA and KAMELOT, who has effectively co-created her first full-on metal album with HDK. Along with writing the lyrics she is the featured vocalist on several tracks (such as the PRONG flavoured ‘Perfect’ and standout crusher ‘Pedestal’). She is clearly comfortable and unquestionably effective in this musically vicious environment

A word to the wise: if you’re expecting fluffy symphonics typical of the current crop of Dutch metal bands you might want to put on a pair of diapers before plugging in.”

Watch for an exclusive interview with Gommans and more album details, coming soon.