LEO The Album

LEO THE ALBUM - PRE-ORDER CAMPAIGN

LEO is Dutch drummer and composer Koen Herfst’s second solo album, which he worked on over the last 3 years between touring and releasing albums with his many different projects. LEO is a progressive metal concept album about the death of Leo Herfst, Koen’s father, who passed away when Koen was only 10 months old, while his mom was pregnant with his sister.

Left: Koen and his father Leo Herfst | Right: Leo playing his piano

After the successful release of his first solo album Back to Balance (2015) and developing as a composer over the last few years, the moment came to tell this tragic story through music. The music came to life during a household move, after finding personal items like his father’s glasses and agenda. Koen also found tapes on which his father’s voice could be heard, as well as him playing the piano. Leo’s piano eventually moved to Koen’s studio and Koen wrote most of the music on this instrument. Because of this, the piano is the central point of this album and even features a recording of Leo’s playing.

Recording with Anneke van Giersbergen (VUUR)

The concept album has four main characters; the mother’s role is played by Anneke van Giersbergen (VUUR) , the father by Merijn van Haren (Navarone), ‘Death the person’ by Koen (voice with effects), and ‘the Son’ by Koen (singing). The album tells the tragic story from the characters point of view, expressing their emotions, thoughts and feelings. It takes the listener on a journey through this process, in the spirit of a progressive rock opera.

Left: The piano is the central point on the album | Right: recording with Rob van der Loo (EPICA)

The album is mixed and mastered by the legendary Dan Swäno (Unisound) and the artwork is designed by Robert Muda van Hamel (Spacebar), who worked with De Staat a.o. Artwork will be revealed soon in an update!

Trailer of Documentary:

Koen says: “My first solo album Back to Balance I wrote together with many different guest musicians’. For LEO I wrote every note, melody and lyric myself. Next to playing drums, I also play most guitars on the album, programmed most keyboards and also sang quite a few songs. So for me this is a very special album for many different reasons”.

Left: Koen plays most guitars on the album | Right: Recording with Merijn van Haren (NAVARONE)

LEO will release worldwide on 14 July, 2019: Leo's birthday.

Anneke van Giersbergen (VUUR): vocals

Merijn van Haren (Navarone): vocals

Rob van der Loo (Epica): bass

Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) : keyboard solo

Paul Quinn (Saxon): guitar solo

Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation): guitar solo

Jord Otto (VUUR, My Propane): guitar solo

Mendel Bij de Leij (ex-Aborted): guitar solo

Ben Mathot (Ayreon): violin solo

Marcela Bovio (MaYaN): backing vocals

Harrison Young (The Cards): backing vocals

Throughout the album writing, recording and producing process, two documentary makers ( Alfredo Pouwiel and Anko Fekkes) followed Koen in the last years and they made a film about it. This documentary (also called LEO) will be shown at an exclusive album release event, which will be held on 14 July 2019 in The Hague.

You can attend this album release and documentary premiere by purchasing the reward that includes two tickets to the event and a signed copy of the album.

Event details will be announced soon!

Documentary details:

Directors: Alfredo Pouwiel, Anko Fekkes

Production: Vunck

While the album is the main focus, Koen has assembled a range of rewards that tap into his versatile creative talent and give you the opportunity to get something more! The additional rewards include drum lessons (solo and group), live private performance, and composing tracks for your own album. Koen is also offering up some of his own drum gear, including sets of his signature Drumsticks, a TAMA Speed Cobra Double Pedal, and more.

These rewards are limited in number so secure yours today, and support LEO the album!

All albums come hand signed by Koen.

On this page you can pay with creditcard, bank transfer and Paypal.

If you want to pre-order and pay with ideal, then click here to go to Koen's webshop, where most perks are available too! If you have any questions or suggestions, write us an e-mail at [email protected]

Koen Herfst is one of the most energetic and versatile drummers of The Netherlands. He is known for his work with Armin van Buuren, with who he did two world tours in venues like Madison Square Garden (New York City) and The Forum (Los Angeles). Another highlight with Armin was coming down from the ceiling of the Amsterdam Arena (Ajax stadium) with drum set!

Together with Paul Quinn (Saxon) and Harrison Young (Doro), Koen’s blues-rock band The Cards released their self-titled first album in January 2019. Koen also toured with After Forever, Epica, Anneke van Giersbergen , I CHAOS, Dew-Scented and was voted ‘Best Hardrock Drummer of Benelux’ for 5 years in a row.

He runs his own drum festival, HERFSTFEST,and co-organized the biggest drum event ever in The Netherlands: 2000 Drummers on the Beach, together with his great friend and Dutch drum-legend Cesar Zuiderwijk (Golden Earring) .

Next to playing drums, Koen is a multi-instrumentalist and composes his own music, as well as music for other artists and events.

Drum solo at the 2000 Drummers on the Beach concert:

Drumsolo with Armin van Buuren @ Madison Square Garden, New York:

Drumsolo in front of the International Criminal Court (Peace Palace) in The Hague, NL during One Young World:

Koen also recently battled the robot drummer, Stickboy, at GES 2019 at the World Forum in The Hague, NL:

Website:

www.koenherfst.com

Social:

www.instagram.com/leothealbum

www.youtube.com/koenherfst

www.instagram.com/koenherfst

www.facebook.com/koenherfst

Shipping costs are included in the perk prices.

If you don't have the ability to purchase the album or another reward, that's ok! Sharing on your social media pages with friends, family, and loved ones who may want to learn about this project is very helpful! Every bit of support makes a difference!

For any questions, please contact: [email protected]

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