Dutch Symphonic Progressive Metal band, Ex Libris (Latin for, from the books) was founded in 2004 by Dianne van Giersbergen (ex-Xandria) and Joost van de Pas. Dianne today still features as front woman to the band. Other members are Bob Wijtsma (ex-Xystus, Ayreon) on guitar, Luuk van Gerven (ex-After Forever) on bass guitar and Harmen Kieboom on Drums. Joost van den Broek (ex-After Forever, Ayreon) features as a guest musician on keyboards.
Their latest work is the previously named progressive metal trilogy "Ann" that will honor 3 historical female figures, all carrying the name ‘Ann’. In writing and releasing this trilogy they aim to educate as well as entertain their fans all around the world.
"Ann" is produced by Dutch producer Joost van den Broek at Sandlane Recording Facilities, in Rijen The Netherlands, where, for example, Epica albums have also been recorded. Joost also features as guest musician on "Chapter 3: Anne Frank".
In previous years the band released the album Medea which was mostly written with the same vision. Only then was the chosen character taken from Greek mythology.
The band was formed in 2003 in the Netherlands. In 2004, with the addition of guitarist Paul van den Broek and keyboardist Koen Stam, the band's name changed from Erinyen (Dutch for Erinyes) 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" (meaning) 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. 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.
The album Medea is a concept album about the Greek tragedy of Medea and her lover Jason, played by vocalist, Damian Wilson. The album was funded via an IndieGogo campaign with the goal of €2,000 which was successful and passed the goal with €3,549. The album was released independently in January 2014.
In June 2014, drummer Eelco van der Meer departed the band.
Ann (2017–present)
The creation of the third full length album is a journey that started in June 2018 with the launch of a successful crowdfunding campaign in which they were supported by fans from all over the world! Their journey has been captured through studio documentaries and vlogs and the release of “Ann” has resulted in not one, but three official videos!
The story behind “Ann” is that of 3 different historical women, coming to you through 3 chapters. All of these women have a horrific story to tell and are bound by the same name “Ann”
The latest release of Ex Libris is 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, who was the second wife of the English King Henry VIII and Queen of England. In the work she tells the story in the role of Anne Boleyn. The first ep was released on August 1, 2018. The second one, called Anastasia Romanova, She was the daughter of Russian Tsar Nicholas II and was executed by the Bolsheviks during the Russian Revolution. The Ural Cossack Choir from Rijswijk (The Hague) participated in the second part, and was released on March 15, 2019. The third and final chapter, called Anne Frank, she was a German-born Jewish girl who kept a diary in which she documented life in hiding under Nazi persecution during the German occupation of the Netherlands, and was released on November 15, 2019 along with the complete edition with all three EPs.
Albums
Drawn (2005) demo
Medea (2011) demo
Amygdala (2008)
Medea (2014)
Ann (2018 / 2019)
Chapter 1: Anne Boleyn (2018)
Chapter 2: Anastasia Romanova (2019)
Chapter 3: Anne Frank (2019)
Members
Dianne van Giersbergen (Karmaflow (live), Pathfinder (live), ex-Xandria) – vocals (2003–present)
Bob Wijtsma (ex-Xystus, Karmaflow, Blaze of Darkness) – guitars (2015–present)
Luuk van Gerven (Cardamon, ex-After Forever, Karmaflow, Robby Valentine, ex-Xystus) – bass guitar (2015–present)
Harmen Kieboom (Penny's Twisted Flavour, SMP Amsterdam) – drums (2015–present)
Joost van den Broek (Ayreon ex-After Forever) – keyboards (2019-present)
Former members
Bram van Breugel – bass (2004–2006)
Eva Albers – guitars (2004–2009)
Joost van de Pas – drums (2003–2012)
Paul van den Broek – lead guitars (2003–2014)
Eelco van der Meer (Last Breath Denied, ex-Ethereal, ex-Cirrha Niva (live), ex-Mythlorian, ex-The Saturnine) – drums (2013–2014)
Peter den Bakker (Beyond God, Sin7sinS) – bass (2007–2014)
Koen Stam (ex-Schraapstaal, ex-Evershadow) – keyboards (2003–2019)
Source: Wikipedia & Ex Librismusic.com