Ivar de Graaf
Encyclopedia
Ivar de Graaf is the founder and drummer of the Dutch progressive metal
band Kingfisher Sky
, but best known as the former drummer of successful the Dutch rock/metal band Within Temptation
.
was taught to play drums by Charles Schouten who has been the drummer for Kayak
for a short period of time. On the HMP he frequently performed with Edo van de Kolk and Michiel Parqui around 1990.
1996, at that the time the band was relatively unknown and began working on their first studio album. De Graaf was credited as the drummer on the Within Temptation albums Enter and as well on their breakthrough album Mother Earth
.
In 2002 just before the German tour in which followed the band to its international breakthrough, he left Within Temptation. This was for musical reasons, he wanted to play more various and challenging drum fills instead of the more similar he experienced in Within Temptation, and develop himself more as a composer an arranger. He was replaced by Stephen van Haestregt
De Graaf has performed with Within Temptation a few more times after his departure. He filled in as a substitute at times when van Haestregt was unavailable, and at the Java Concert in Amsterdam
2005 he took on stage with other former Within Temptation band members and performed a couple of songs.
. The first studio album has been released: Hallway of dreams
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
band Kingfisher Sky
Kingfisher Sky
Kingfisher Sky is a Dutch progressive metal band from The Hague, South Holland. Their debut album Hallway of Dreams, was released in October 2007 on Suburban Records.-History:...
, but best known as the former drummer of successful the Dutch rock/metal band Within Temptation
Within Temptation
Within Temptation is a Dutch symphonic gothic metal/rock band founded in 1996 by vocalist Sharon den Adel and guitarist Robert Westerholt. Their music is described as symphonic metal, although their earlier material, such as Enter, was gothic metal. In an interview, Den Adel said they fell into a...
.
Early career
Ivar de Graaf began playing drums at the age of 11. De Graaf followed education at the Haags Montessori Lyceum at The HagueThe Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
was taught to play drums by Charles Schouten who has been the drummer for Kayak
Kayak (band)
Kayak are a Dutch progressive rock band formed in 1972 in the city Hilversum by Ton Scherpenzeel and Pim Koopman. In 1973, their debut album "See See The Sun" was released, including 3 hit singles. Their main popularity was in the Netherlands, with their top hit reaching #6 on the Dutch charts in...
for a short period of time. On the HMP he frequently performed with Edo van de Kolk and Michiel Parqui around 1990.
Within Temptation
He was asked as the drummer for Within TemptationWithin Temptation
Within Temptation is a Dutch symphonic gothic metal/rock band founded in 1996 by vocalist Sharon den Adel and guitarist Robert Westerholt. Their music is described as symphonic metal, although their earlier material, such as Enter, was gothic metal. In an interview, Den Adel said they fell into a...
1996, at that the time the band was relatively unknown and began working on their first studio album. De Graaf was credited as the drummer on the Within Temptation albums Enter and as well on their breakthrough album Mother Earth
Mother Earth (album)
Mother Earth is the second studio album by Dutch symphonic metal/rock band Within Temptation. Originally released on December 4, 2000 in the Netherlands, and August 21, 2001 in other parts of Europe, it quickly became a success in the band's heartland, reaching platinum status in the Netherlands...
.
In 2002 just before the German tour in which followed the band to its international breakthrough, he left Within Temptation. This was for musical reasons, he wanted to play more various and challenging drum fills instead of the more similar he experienced in Within Temptation, and develop himself more as a composer an arranger. He was replaced by Stephen van Haestregt
Stephen van Haestregt
Stephen van Haestregt is a Dutch drummer, best known as the drummer of the Dutch symphonic metal band Within Temptation....
De Graaf has performed with Within Temptation a few more times after his departure. He filled in as a substitute at times when van Haestregt was unavailable, and at the Java Concert in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
2005 he took on stage with other former Within Temptation band members and performed a couple of songs.
Kingfisher Sky
De Graaf is married to singer Judith Rijnveld. Together they worked for three years on a demo which led to the formation of Kingfisher SkyKingfisher Sky
Kingfisher Sky is a Dutch progressive metal band from The Hague, South Holland. Their debut album Hallway of Dreams, was released in October 2007 on Suburban Records.-History:...
. The first studio album has been released: Hallway of dreams