Chapter VIII

Peter came down during my last day of recording as we had some days of promotion to do. I remember the look on his face when he first listened to the album.... priceless! We spent the remaining 10 days in London as well as we travelled to Germany and France where we had a few interviews scheduled. Coming back home after this ordeal was amazing. For a while. I got terribly sick...my head was spinning, stomach problems, weak etc. Doctor took some test on me but couldn't find anything wrong, so I guess it was the result of all the hard work and all the bad things that had happened lately. I was ill for months, and we had a few gigs coming up. The first gigs in support of the new albums. Quite important, yes! I was very close to cancelling the first 2 gigs due to me feeling so bad, but was talked into going anyway.

We had two shows, one in London, UK and another in Athens, Greece. Let me tell you, I didn't regret going away. The shows we're absolutely marvellous, and almost seemed to work as a cure for my illness. Even though there's a certain amount of stress involved in the whole touring business, I truly think the actual gig has a fucking healing effect on you. Afterwards I felt like a million bucks!

Well, little did I know then on exactly how many shows we'd be scheduled for during 2003.

The new material seemed to go down well with the crowd. We we're especially worried about "A fair judgement" not being a live song, but the fans proved us DEAD wrong on that one.

We've played it on almost every gig in support of "Deliverance". The shows were great overall as far as I remember. Well, much respect to our North American fans for wanting us to come back so often! Cheers!

After this tour I believe we had 2 days back home before we were due in Paris for the first gig on the European tour...2 days rest!!! Insane! I had a terrible cold on the day I went on the bus, and it was still there by the time I got off 6 weeks later. And during that time I'd managed to get everybody else on the bus sick as well! Our support band, Madder mortem we're handpicked by me as I really liked them. They we're introduced to me by Jim of Nevermore back in 2001 when we toured the US in their support. Great guys/girl and fantastic band! Unfortunately, I don't have many fond memories about this tour as the fucking bus was broken, no heating. I had to sleep with all my clothes on + I was sick already... coughing like a motherfucker!

Terrible tour! We didn't cancel any gigs, but I was ready to fall to pieces.

Head banging is not as cool when it will cover your face with snot as a result. I didn't lose my voice completely though...I was lucky! Some great gigs on this tour....I remember the Dutch gigs most vividly as they we're so fucking crowded. We did one festival at the great 013 club in Tilburg where we got to meet Paradise Lost once again. Cathedral were there too, along with Samael. After the gigs, there was a MASSIVE party in the dressing rooms. Everybody was completely wasted! Good people, the lot of them!