(...)
read more
Treading on the edge of rock and metal, KOWAI has an aptitude for melody, atmosphere and intensity, alongside elements of symphony, melancholy and doom. Their sound palette – the result of their various backgrounds – is as rich as it is dynamic. Hailing from the Netherlands, this six-piece band is ready to take on the world with the release of their first full-length album DISSONANCE: a nine-song magnum opus filled with haunting and fierce songs.
Although this is their first full release, KOWAI already has an impressive track record. Among over 60 gigs, festivals and radio performances, they have opened for international metal acts (e.g., TRAIL OF TEARS and STREAM OF PASSION), made their way into the finals of national music competitions (performing their hit Pride for Dutch national Radio 538), and performed abroad.
KOWAI is currently working hard to promote the release of DISSONANCE, which is produced by internationally renowned musicians JOOST VAN DEN BROEK (ex-AFTER FOREVER) and JEFFREY REVET (STREAM OF PASSION). Furthermore, alongside their full-blown electric fury, KOWAI is exploring a more quiet side with unplugged performances.
KOWAI is fronted by Laura van Nes (vocals), and completed by Arjen Bosma (guitar), Bastijn Vermeulen (bass), Joost Lobbes (drums), Lars Deelman (guitar) and Ruben Marrenga (keyboard).
Kowai Twitter
Tweets van @KowaiOfficial"Kowai heeft nu al de grootsheid van collegabands als Within Temptation, Epica, Delain en Stream of Passion..."
"Ik was na twee luisterbeurten namelijk al helemaal overdonderd."
"...they make a big impression with this album! Talented musicians and a fantastic singer..."
"...a very strong and excellent sounding album. Highly recommended!"
"Kowai do what they do extremely well, and that speaks volume for a band with only one album under their belt."
"I invite you to lose yourself in Kowai's Dissonance. You won't be disappointed!"
"...this is something you should totally check out. I know I am looking forward to the next release..."
"...they have an identity that excites me. The whole album song-writing is much more solid than I would expect from a début. Insert claps here."
NEWS
- 31.08.17 I
End of the line.
Dear all,
You haven’t heard from us in a while. With good reason: after careful consideration the band has decided to put an end to 9 years of Kowai. It was a very tough decision that took us quite some time to process and agree upon – we’ve all put a huge amount of passion and dedication into the band. But we couldn’t manage, as a whole, to continue that effort. And if you don’t do it with the entirety of your being, why do it at all? That was never an option for us. We’re sorry that we can’t give you one final show to complete the journey we’ve taken during these past years. We are still very proud of our full-length release DISSONANCE (which can still be bought online), and listening to our ep PRELUDE reminds us of the foundation of the band and ourselves as musicians. Although we’ve known some lineup changes along the way, the core of who we were as a band never changed. So now it is with heavy hearts that we have to say goodbye to all of you who supported us, either during shows, online, or silently. To provide a glimpse of positivity among this dark news: several Kowai members have continued in music with their personal projects. If you’d like to learn more, you can do so here:
- Disperson: Laura, Arjen
- Inferum: Lars
- North West Band: Ruben
- Draedan: Arjen
- Novatia: Joost
- Traiectum Inferius: Bastijn
On behalf of all of us who were Kowai over the years: thank you so very much for your support & we hope to see you or hear from you again sometime.
Laura (vocals 2008-2017),
Arjen (guitar & grunts 2007-2017),
Lars (guitar & vocals 2014-2017),
Ruben (keys 2012-2017),
Bastijn (bass 2015-2017),
Joost (drums 2008-2017),
Bertran (guitar & vocals 2007-2014),
Rik (bass 2008-2014),
Daphne (keys 2010-2012),
Joey (bass 2014-2015).