Mark: If there would a record company interested in signing a non-commercial, underground band like us it probably would not be very beneficial for us. Understandably they do not have a lot of money to invest and it would always be the question if anything would happen at all. So instead of looking for and waiting for a record company we made sure that we arranged distribution in most of Western Europe and released the album ourselves. Up until now this has worked out ok. We have to do almost all the promotion ourselves but with the internet (which was not developed that much in the "old days") it is possible to reach both the press and the audience. So, yes, I guess we will stick to our own Kongenial Records label.

Thrashpit.com: Did the treatment of Roadrunner or Peaceville your band received play a part in the formation of Kongenial Records?

Mark: No, not really. Peaceville has been a good label for us. In the beginning it was a bit weird because it was a typical death metal label so people expected us to be something in that direction. But later they signed more different stuff and did a good job. They were a reliable, small label with people who were in it for the music and not for the money. That changed when they were taken over by Music For Nations with whom we broke up as soon as we could.

Roadrunner was also not too bad. But I must admit that as soon as the A&R guy who signed us left, they completely lost interest. But that more or less coincided with our break in 2000 so it did not really matter.

In general I think record labels are ok for us as long as they are small, really like the music they release and have a commitment to the bands they sign.

Thrashpit.com: Of course, Kong has recently started touring again. How have the shows been so far?

Mark: They have been good and fun. We did about eight shows up until now and I was amazed how quickly the new guys and girl adapted to our way of playing (with four stages and quadraphonic P.A. systems). The new material seems to blend in well with the old songs we are playing and actually there was no difference in audience reactions between then and now.

Thrashpit.com: Do you think the new album will eventually hit non-European stores worldwide, or perhaps a tour into non-European territory?

Mark: We recently found a distributor in the U.S. (The End Records/Omega Order) but for the rest of the world it will probably be difficult. We keep on contacting labels and distributors. A tour is not very likely, I think. Of course it would be cool to tour in the U.S. but the costs are so high and the revenues so limited that it will be really hard to realize.

For us that would not even have to be a reason not to do it, but it makes it very hard to find an agent who is willing to make an effort.

Thrashpit.com: Have you been in contact with the previous Kong members since reforming the band? Why didn't they want to partake in a Kong reunion?

Mark: Yes, they all knew that I was going to start up the band again and nobody had any objections.

As of the last line-up Marieke Verdonk (guitarist) completely stopped playing and our drummer Klaas Broekema is living in Spain so he is not available. Dirk thought about it for a while but just was not motivated enough.

Marieke and Dirk already have been to a show recently which was of course very weird for them, suddenly being in the audience instead of upon the stage. They told me they enjoyed themselves.

Thrashpit.com: Does this resurrected version of Kong perhaps take influence from any new musical artists?

Mark: Sure, but I would not be able to name many. Probably everything I have listened to the last years has its reflections somehow in our music. Tijs, David and Mandy have their specific influences as well.

Thrashpit.com: There seems to be a huge movement of technical/progressive instrumental bands in the metal underground today. Is it strange to think that what Kong started back in 1988 it would transpire into solid form over two decades later?

Mark: Well, I will not pretend that we started it, but it surely is a remarkable development over the last few years.

Of course it is something that has been more common in other musical directions (fusion-rock and of course a lot of techno/dance/ambient music) It has now become "normal" to play instrumental music in some rock music. I am glad that there are more and more bands who realize that it gives you a lot of freedom and possibilities not having vocal or lyrics! In my opinion, without lyrics music is just what it should be about: sound, melody, rhythm and atmosphere. It is not about some silly story that most of the time nobody can even understand.

Thrashpit.com: What does Kong have in store within the near future?

Mark: For me this new album and new line-up feels very much like the start of a new band. So I think there is a lot of musical potential which we still have to explore which means doing more gigs to find the ultimate live set and sound. We just made a deal with an agency which will start working on a European tour so hopefully we will be able to start touring again soon.

Most of all I am looking forward to start working on new songs again. I am very happy with this new album but I think there is still a lot more for us to discover and develop.

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