Ex Libris (band)

Ex Libris (Latin for from the books) is a Dutch symphonic/progressive metal band, founded in 2004 by Dianne van Giersbergen and Joost van de Pas.

Ex Libris
Ex Libris in London in 2014
Background information
Also known asErinyen
OriginBoxtel, North Brabant, Netherlands
GenresSymphonic metal
Progressive metal
Gothic metal
Years active2003 (2003)–present
LabelsIndependent
Associated actsXandria
Websitewww.exlibrismusic.com
MembersDianne van Giersbergen
Bob Wijtsma
Luuk van Gerven
Harmen Kieboom
Past membersBram van Breugel
Eva Albers
Joost van de Pas
Paul van den Broek
Eelco van der Meer
Peter den Bakker
Koen Stam

History

Formation (2003)

Ex Libris formed in 2003 in the Netherlands. Operatic soprano Dianne van Giersbergen leads the band. In 2004, with the addition of guitarist Paul van den Broek and keyboardist Koen Stam, the band's name changed from Erinyen to Ex Libris.

Drawn demo and debut album Amygdala (2005–2008)

In 2005, they released a 4-song demo Drawn. They started playing more shows and bassist Peter den Bakker joined the band while recording their debut album. Amygdala was released in 2008, featuring demo tracks from Drawn, "Dawn of Sugars" and "Breath with Me". The album was well received.

Ex Libris supported shows with other Dutch symphonic metal bands such as Epica, Stream of Passion and ReVamp. They played abroad, in Germany, France, Belgium and the United Kingdom (with Delain).

Line-up changes and Medea (2011–2014)

In 2011, Ex Libris returned to the studio and recorded a 3-track demo "Medea" for their upcoming album.

In 2013 drummer Joost van de Pas was replaced by Eelco van der Meer, who toured with Stream of Passion in 2012.[1] Around the same time, Dianne became the new front-woman for German symphonic metal band Xandria, right after the departure of Manuela Kraller, without leaving Ex Libris.[2]

The new album Medea is a concept album about the Greek tragedy of Medea and her lover Jason. The album was funded via an IndieGogo campaign with the goal of €2,000 which was successful and passed the goal with €3,549.[3] The album was released independently in January 2014.

In June 2014, drummer Eelco van der Meer departed.[4]

Ann (2017–present)

Ex Libris is currently preparing for their third studio album, a metal trilogy called Ann. It was divided into three chapters, each one about a different Ann that lived in different times and places, sharing the same fate - the death. The first chapter, called Anne Boleyn was released on August 1, 2018. The second one, called Anastasia Romanova was released on March 15, 2019. The third and final chapter, called Anne Frank was released on November 15, 2019 along with the complete edition with all three EPs.

Discography
Demos
  • Drawn (2005)
  • Medea (2011)

Studio albums

  • Amygdala (2008)
  • Medea (2014)
  • Ann (2019)
    • Chapter 1: Anne Boleyn (2018)
    • Chapter 2: Anastasia Romanova (2019)
    • Chapter 3: Anne Frank (2019)

Members

References
  1. "Ex Libris - Official Website". Exlibrismusic.com. 1980-01-01. Retrieved 2015-08-14.
  2. "Announcement - Xandria". Xandria.de. 2013-10-25. Archived from the original on 2015-07-21. Retrieved 2015-08-14.
  3. "Ex Libris new full length album - Medea!". Indiegogo. 2013-11-04. Retrieved 2015-08-14.
  4. "Ex Libris - Official Website". Exlibrismusic.com. Retrieved 2015-08-14.
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