After your reformation/performance at 2004's Wacken Open Air Festival, there was a buzz going on in the underground and rumors of a possible new record were running rampant. What essentially led to the band deciding it was back for good and the recording of LA MUERTE?

We didn’t play Wacken in 2004, or any other show for that matter. In 2004 we spent a lot of time rehearsing and getting to know each other again, both personally and musically. It became clear pretty soon that we all really missed playing together and we started writing new stuff almost immediately! So while nothing was pre-conceived, it was almost a given that we would make a new album instead of just do the reunion thing.

Did Nuclear Blast come to you right away with a deal to return or were there long, drawn-out negotiations taking place?

The negotiations were short and sweet; they wanted us, we wanted to be back on NB, so the decision was easy for both parties. And a good decision it was!

I know in the years that Gorefest was inactive, the individual members of the band did several different things both inside the world of music and outside of it. In doing so, did you gain personal fullfillment in them or is Gorefest the ultimate satisfaction for you as not only musicians, but as people?

I can’t speak for the other guys, but I have always missed being in Gorefest, although I kept a high musical profile through my work with Ayreon and Star One. Nothing compares to being on stage with the four of us, pounding away. There’s an incredible chemistry there, which is even stronger now than back in the old days because we enjoy each others company (both musically and personally) so much more!

The new album is impressively good, and I have noticed that you harnessed the energy and attack of FALSE with the simpler, meatier arrangements found on later records that many have dubbed as a "death n' roll" style. When it came time to write songs for LA MUERTE, was this the initial intention or did you let the songwriting process flow naturally?

We were definitely going for a “best of the Fest” feel. To me it was important to harness what I consider the strength of this band in its most effective and purest form. No frills, just brute force! As far as the songwriting goes, you can’t force that into a set direction. What came out is just what felt natural. We all wanted to make a really heavy album, so that intention was absolutely there!

Tell me about your performance at 2005's Wacken Open Air Festival. You opted not to debut any new songs. Was this a calculated move to make fans anticipate a new record that much more, or was it just a case of sticking to the old songs that everyone knew and loved?

We wanted to use the big festivals to show everybody that we were back for real, and the best way to do that is with a killer “greatest hits” set. Besides, having just come off the La Muerte recordings we weren’t actually able to properly play the songs together!

The album has been receiving some great praise from all over the metal community. So, does it feel good to be back after such a long absence and to still be getting that elusive critical acclaim?

When you make a new album you always consider it the best you’ve ever done, but it sure feels great to get all those positive reviews! Many things have changed in the metal universe, so it’s comforting to know we still have relevance as a band.

Are there any plans to tour heavily for LA MUERTE? Are U.S. fans going to get the chance to see you?

The 1993 US tour supporting Death was one of the absolute highlights of our career, so we’d love to come over there again. Logistics may prove more difficult nowadays, but who knows what’ll happen if La Muerte takes off…

For the closing song on the new disc, you threw everyone for a loop and concocted a near 10-minute instrumental. Was that something you had always wanted to do on earlier records, or was it just a case of the right time and right place to attempt it with LA MUERTE?

Boudewijn had this really epic, slow piece and we tried to add vocals but it just didn’t work. We thought about it for a while and decided it would be cool to end the album with it, leaving the listener in an appropriately dark ‘n’ gloomy mood. I can’t say we had the ambition to do this before, but it felt right for this album!

Are you worried at all, that fans may not warm up to the new album simply because it's not a repeat of FALSE?

It’s inevitable, so why worry? False was made 13 years ago by a bunch of guys in their early 20’s, we couldn’t repeat that even if we wanted to. And we didn’t, so… What we did want is to recapture the energy we had back then, and I think the old fans will pick up on that. Especially if they see us live! We’re in top shape and I honestly feel we have never sounded better than we do today!

If you had to pick one song off of the record that you best feel represents Gorefest circa 2006, what song would that be and why?

For The Masses has everything that the Fest is about these days. That majestic opening, then JC’s roar, the fast pounding, and finally that ultra-heavy groove part. To me it’s the ultimate GF song, along with The Glorious Dead.

I am definitely glad to see you back and doing your thing. Tell me, can we expect another Gorefest record soon or do we have to wait another 7+ years?

Definitely sooner than that! We haven’t written anything new yet, but I’m confident those juices will start flowing as soon as we set our minds to it. And it’ll be even heavier than La Muerte, you can count on that!

Any parting words?

The Fest is back!