Doomed Confessionary: Pim van Dijk (Façade)

Façade is a post-doom metal band based out of Dordrecht, Netherlands.

Formed in 2011, Façade has remained a consistent presence in the Dutch doom/death metal scene. Their 2019 album »The Eternal Dance« was praised for its conceptual depth and immersive tone. After a period of silence during the pandemic, the band has returned with »Radiant«, bringing with them a more focused and experimental sound. Their new two-track EP, »Radiant« is scheduled for release on June 1st, 2025.

»Radiant« also marks a lineup shift, with Conrad Stroebel departing the band on good terms. Now operating with two guitars instead of three, Façade leans further into synth layers and expansive effects. The result is a sound that remains grounded in doom but allows for broader sonic exploration.

Façade are Ben de Graaff (vocals), Berend Klein Haneveld (guitar), Chris Harmsen (guitar), Pim van Dijk (bass) and Korijn van Golen (drums).

Can you please say a few words about your band?
We are Façade, founded in 2011 in Dordrecht, The Netherlands. Our music is often described as atmospheric, crushing, and full of contrasts. We’ve released a first 2 track EP back in 2013, two full-lengths (»Loathe« and »The Eternal Dance«) with the third currently in the works, and we’ve had the privilege to perform across Europe alongside some amazing acts like Ahab, Shape Of Despair, and Officium Triste.

This year on June 1st we are releasing our new EP »Radiant«.

What was the biggest challenge for the band?
The biggest blow was without a doubt the pandemic. We had just released our second full-length »The Eternal Dance« and had a string of shows planned, and then everything shut down. Many of our shows got cancelled and of course that meant we had a much more difficult time promoting and selling our music. We invested so much energy, time and money into that project, and instead of propelling the band forward, we lost all momentum.

It was really demotivating and is one of the reasons we went quiet for a few years. The upside though is that we all had time away, a chance to reflect. Now we are back, re-energized and focused. We’re rekindling the flame and looking forward to getting back onto the stage.

Now the biggest challenge is finding an available rehearsal space that fits all of our busy schedules, haha! I joke, but in between other bands, work and family-life, you’re going to have to be a bit creative when rehearsing sometimes.

What can you be most proud of so far?
Our new EP Radiant! I think it is the best sounding material we have put out so far. The new song »Radiant« really encapsulates what we have done so far musically speaking. I am also very proud of the cover art. Because the EP also contains a reimagined version of »Veil Of Deceit« I wanted to experiment with collage-art to emphasize that contrast of the Old and the New. You can see some visual elements from the »Loathe« cover art returning here.

What was your biggest regret?
Not so much a regret, but I am glad we decided to re-record »Veil Of Deceit«. The album »Loathe« was the best we could do with the knowledge and skill we had at the time but looking back we felt this song in particular didn’t turn out the way we envisioned it. Initially we wanted to release »Radiant« as a single, but then we thought it would be a nice opportunity for us to give »Veil Of Deceit« the love we think it deserved. I think the contrast between the two also really shows how we have matured as a band.

Photo credit: Anthea Den Hollander

What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
There are so many memorable moments for me, like the gigs at the Baroeg, Rotterdam. Baroeg and Dutch Doom Days are just family vibes. But, there is one story that will stay with me forever which was at Malta Doom Metal Festival 2014.

They drove the artists in vans from the hotel to the venue and back. After we played we stayed to check out all the other bands of course, and at some point late at night Berend (our guitarist) was like “let’s catch the next van to the hotel we don’t want to miss the last one.”

So, a van arrives, we get in, and I think the guys from Desolation Angels were there too, and we just started talking music, playing harmonizing guitar parts and cramped stage space – because back then we still had three guitarists on stage – to which one of the D.A. guys went “Weren’t you blokes supposed to be with six?” And that was the moment we realized we all just left Berend behind, haha!

What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
I only quite recently discovered »The Horned Lord In The Thorned Castle« by Moonlight Sorcery and it just blew me away. It’s black metal, but also has those epic, almost Yngwie Malmsteen-esque leads and soloing going on and you’d think that shouldn’t mix too well, but you’re wrong; they do it so well, I cannot get enough of it!

What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
I’m listening a lot to the new Rivers Of Nihil singles from their upcoming namesake album. The latest Architects album is also getting frequent spins, but, »Dread March Of The Solemn Gods« by Ninkharsag and the aforementioned »Horned Lord In The Thorned Castle« by Moonlight Sorcery seem to be my comfort-albums now. One does not simply listen to those albums only once haha, they’re so good. Other than that Cattle Decapitation, Cult Of Luna, because I’m seeing them later this year, oh, and Warbringer! Amazing band.

What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
“Replace your strings. Maybe turn on your amp?”, haha! I think the best advice I’ve gotten is: short but consistent practice is better than infrequent long-hauls. Just practice a few moments throughout the day, rather than hours on-end but only like once every other week.

Another one is: the audience wants you to succeed. Unexpected things happen all the time, so even when shit goes wrong on stage; play it cool and people will still cheer you on despite the difficulties. Recently I saw Revocation open for Cattle Decapitation, the guy was sick as hell, so he just went “I can’t do vocals, but we still wanna play you all some fucking metal!” and the crowd cheered them on in support.

What are your guilty pleasures?
I listen to a lot of different styles of music, old stuff, new stuff, anything in between, so finding something that is a guilty pleasure is honestly tough, but I guess J-pop/city-pop could fit that description? I love playing that when I need focus-time on my day-time job. I don’t listen to a lot of instrumental music, I like hearing vocals, but when I cannot understand the language of the vocals it doesn’t distract me when I am focussing. And the peppy energy of most J-pop music is very motivating.

Can you say something more about the current music scene in Dordrecht?
Dordrecht is very much alive with local bands. There are frequently open-stage-anything-goes jam sessions and “Battle of the Bands” evenings where locals play some of their songs for an audience and jury. Our guitarist Chris Harmsen has stepped in as a judge some time as well, and our vocalist, Ben de Graaff, is actually quite involved in the local metal music scene. He organizes and curates the Dordrecht Metal Fest, putting Dordrecht back on the map when it comes to metal.

This year’s Dutch Doom Days edition will be hosted at the venue “Bibelot”, in Dordrecht actually! DDD was always hosted in Baroeg, Rotterdam, but they’re currently under construction rebuilding the entire venue. Ben is also involved in this, together with our friend Pim Blankenstein from Officium Triste.

Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
This year we don’t have anything lined up yet, maybe something might come up. Bookers, if you’re reading this: get in touch! We are ready to get on stage even on short notice. Anyway, we are making good use of our downtime; we are deep into writing our next full-length release and are planning to record it later this year.

What are your plans for the future as a band?
To release another full-length and to hit the stages again! We love to play live, there’s nothing quite like that energy you get on stage, when you can feel there is a connection between you and the crowd.

How can people best support your band?
Listen to our music on streaming platforms (e.g. Spotify)! You can also help fund our next full-length by heading over to our Bandcamp store and buying something.

But otherwise, give us a follow on socials. That really helps us reach more people, so even a simple act like a follow on Instagram, Spotify, YouTube or Facebook helps us a lot.

Do you have any message for your listeners?
Listen to more music and look after each other.

Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well