Doomed Confessionary: Bjorn van Toorn (Empty Fix)
Empty Fix is a six-piece gothic/doom metal band hailing from Arnhem, Netherlands with members boasting over twenty years of experience. Founded in 2024, Empty Fix consists of Bjorn van Toorn (vocals), Emiel van Bree (guitar), Jelle Janssen (guitar), Jurien Buijvoets (bass), Rutger Buitendijk (keyboards) and Roy van Wisse (drums).
Empty Fix have released their debut EP »The Cycle Of Trying« in September 2025, inspired by the diverse 90’s artists such as Alice In Chains, Type O Negative and Life Of Agony. »The Cycle Of Trying« EP is available now on all major streaming platforms.
Can you please say a few words about your band?
We are Empty Fix from the the eastern part of the Netherlands. All of the members have experience in the death, punk, hardcore and grind scene (Mouflon, Disabuse, Putrefied Corpse, Strike First and Death Squad).
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
The first couple of months to practice as a complete band. Timewise most members got different bands and projects running besides a work and family life.
What can you be most proud of so far?
The point where we are right now. In just two years we got to get to know each other musically & personally, did some try-out shows got the songs in our system, recorded an EP, got it mixed in Sweden and getting it out there.
We got some awesome help from Koos Wolters and Sebastian with this whole process (recording and mixing).
What was your biggest regret?
Oef… life in general is a regret. Band wise, it’s all good.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
For now I have to say “the first try-out we did.”
The fact that most band members had live experience doing death and hardcore/punk and now doing something completely different and having fun while doing so.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
The complete difference in “scenes”. We have been doing this for almost 25 years in different undergound bands. And you build a “network” while doing so. Being in a different kind of scene with Empty Fix makes it something completely fresh (for us at least).
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
For me personally the last Sanguisugabog album is amazing. Also the new Revocation is awesome. The last Suffocation album is a banger to. Other than death metal I am really into Newdad & English teacher (indie rock).
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Do what you like music wise. Opinions unlike music/art fade in time. People like you or they don’t. Don’t go for the soft in-between.
What are your guilty pleasures?
The clichés like sex and drugs and rock n roll (my kids are gonna read this).
Can you say something more about the current music scene in the Netherlands?
The Dutch scene in general is booming. A live show almost every night in under an hour’s drive (almost too much for my bank account).
A lot of different genres with some amazing bands. Bands like Bloodsucker, Hewlett, Ilaender, Bent Out Of Shape, Bloodsin are kicking ass and a band from our region is Cryptosis who is doing good on the international stages.
Where can we see you live soon (concerts/tours)?
We are planning gigs for the upcoming year, focusing on the Netherlands and getting Empty Fix on the map.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Next year we will be focusing on getting some sort of attention for the EP, planning on doing a video for the next single »The Tide« some live gigs and new material.
How can people best support your band?
Share and listen to the songs, buy some merch and come to the shows hang out and get some drinks.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Support the local scene by bitching about the price of merch and beer! 😀
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well