Interview Aeveris @ Alcatraz 2023 - "You arrive on stage and suddenly there's just a sea of people." • GRIMM Gent

Sometimes timing is everything. By the time Aeveris took to the La Morgue stage to kick off the Saturday of Alcatraz 2023, the Belgian metal outfit had already started building a reputation thanks to an energetic live show and the warm reception of their debut album. Opening a festival day can often feel like a gamble, but as festivalgoers steadily poured through the gates, it quickly became clear that many were more than willing to stop and discover what the band had to offer.

After their performance, we caught up with vocalist Louis Soenens and guitarist Jeffrey Behiels to talk about the overwhelming turnout, the resurgence of riff-driven metal, the pressure of writing a second album and why they believe the best is still to come.

A packed stage before noon

For a band opening one of the festival stages, expectations are usually kept in check. Aeveris, however, were welcomed by a crowd that exceeded even their own hopes.

“The show was great. I hoped for as many people that showed up, so that was awesome. Thanks to everybody who came out.”

Jeffrey still seems impressed when recalling the view from the stage.

“You arrive at the festival, go backstage, walk onto the stage and suddenly there’s just a fucking sea of people.”

For a band that had only existed for a couple of years, it felt like confirmation that they were heading in the right direction. Louis sees it as more than just a success for Aeveris.

“It’s great for local Belgian bands. We’ve only been around for two years and to have an audience like that is just fucking great.”

That naturally led the conversation towards Alcatraz itself, a festival that has consistently given Belgian acts a prominent platform. “They really do,” Jeffrey nods when we mention the festival’s support for homegrown talent. “We definitely felt that love.”

Right in the crowd

The La Morgue stage also suits Aeveris for another reason. Unlike towering festival main stages, its more intimate setup leaves barely any distance between band and audience. For Louis, that’s exactly where he wants to be.

“I’m a hardcore kid… well, a metalcore kid who’s a thousand years old now. I like having the crowd right in my face. Sweat in their faces. I love it.”

Jeffrey agrees that the stage feels surprisingly familiar. Coming from years of playing clubs, that close connection with the audience makes it easier to settle into a performance.

“The first couple of songs you’re like, okay… and then suddenly, bam.”

Ironically, opening the festival also turns out to be an advantage. People walk through the gates, hear music almost immediately and often decide to stick around, creating the perfect opportunity for newer bands to win over fresh listeners.

A debut that exceeded expectations

Only months after releasing their debut album, Aeveris suddenly found themselves receiving enthusiastic reviews and rapidly growing attention. Even Jeffrey admits he hadn’t quite seen it coming.

“That kind of scared the shit out of me. I made these songs in my attic by myself and suddenly there were thousands of people watching them on YouTube. I thought: ‘Oh my God… we’re onto something here.'”

Part of that success may simply have been good timing. As we suggest during our conversation, audiences once again seem eager for groove-oriented, riff-heavy metal inspired by the New Wave of American Heavy Metal. The guys don’t disagree.

“I think we’re in a metalcore revival,” Louis observes, while Jeffrey immediately points towards the renewed appetite for heavier, riff-driven music. When bands like Lamb of God are mentioned as an influence, Jeffrey doesn’t hesitate.

“That’s absolutely where I came from.”

The dreaded second album

With the debut proving such a success, the obvious next question concerns its successor. Fortunately, fans wouldn’t have to wait for the writing process to begin. “Demos are almost ready,” Jeffrey explains. “Now we’re going to rehearse everything together, bounce ideas off each other and finish the songs.” Jeffrey laughs as the conversation turns to the pressure every band eventually faces.

“It’s the hardest album to make… the follow-up one.”

Rather than sitting down to write with a strict plan, Louis reveals that songwriting is almost a constant process. Ideas pile up over time before the band collectively decides which ones deserve to become finished songs. Louis illustrates that perfectly with a story from when he first joined Aeveris.

“He told me: ‘I’ve got a couple of songs.’ Then he sent me twenty-one demos.”

Jeffrey can only laugh.

“Yeah… that actually happened.”

More than just the songs

Ask the band what newcomers should expect from Aeveris and neither member starts talking about riffs, breakdowns or technical ability. Instead, both immediately point towards the live experience. Jeffrey‘s ambition is simple.

“I want people to come to a show, look at us and think: ‘What is this?’ I want that stage to be on fire.”

Louis explains that whatever happens behind the scenes before a performance simply disappears once they walk on stage. The discussions, nerves and last-minute chaos stay backstage. What the audience gets to see is pure energy. Afterwards? “It’s cathartic,” Jeffrey smiles.

“After the show we all fucking hug each other. We did it. I remember Slipknot saying their shows were cathartic for them. It’s basically the same thing.”

Looking forward

With the interview winding down, the conversation shifts towards the rest of the festival, upcoming releases and, naturally, the future. Jeffrey keeps the closing message refreshingly straightforward.