| Description: | "Since 1988 For Absent Friends has been one of Holland's leading melodic rock bands. Although inspired by bands such as Rush and Genesis, the band has developed its own recognizable sound. The Dutch "rock bible" (Oor's Popencyclopedie) says it all: "Probably Holland's best progressive rock band of the nineties, with its well composed, cleverly produced and, above all, original music. After the mini-album Illusions and the underestimated record Both Worlds For Absent Friends finally breaks through with the third album Running in circles". This "breakthrough" resulted in live-performances for Dutch radio and television, and in numerous support acts for Asia, Saga and Marillion, to name a few.
After a successful decade lead singer AT leaves the band, and is replaced by Hans van Lint, who's featuring on two songs on the compilation album Decade. Winter 2001 the 7th studio album The Big Room was released, the first full-length album with newcomer van Lint. Music magazines and webzines praise the new distinct and compact sound of FAF which has so far led to numerous radio performances on both regional and national radio and has put FAF firmly back into the major league of the Dutch rock scene. The distinct sound and live-reputation of FAF has also reached across the borders: in 2001 FAF was invited to play at the prestegious Convention Ange in Longwy (F), the annual fanclub meeting of one of the most succesfull and best-selling French progrockbands Ange.
October 2006 the long awaited eighth studio album square one is gereleased on Musea records. With square one FAF returns to its roots: progressive and expressive rock from the heart. According to the band itself and many insiders this is by far the best and probably most FAF-like album ever. Square one contains 8 brand new tracks and one cover-track on which Christian Decamps (Ange) and Ron Ottenhof of Dutch proglegends Alquin make their appearance as guest-vocalist and saxophonist respectively. |