VORTEX - GRONINGEN (GRONINGEN) 1979

BIOGRAPHY: Vortex is by far the longest running Dutch heavy metal band (even though they split up for a while). The band was formed in 1979, in Groningen (a town in the upper north of Holland). We could write a book about the history of this band, but a summary will do:

The heavy metal band Vortex, was founded in Groningen (Holland) in 1979. The band lasted for eleven years. During those years they produced five demo tapes and included songs on two compilation albums: "Heavy Metal Holland - Part II" (1982) and "Dutch Steel" (1984). They also released two full albums: Metal Bats (1985) and Open The Gate (1986). There was even video clip for second's album title track, and has been played on MTV and Sky Channel back then (which is available in the multimedia section of this page!). Vortex meticulously planned their live shows and never failed to impress their fans. Though Vortex mainly gigged in Holland, their records found their way all over the world due to the large cult following of the band. Vortex folded in 1990, but were never forgotten. Two reunion concerts in 1992 were smashing successes. The fans refused to accept them as a farewell. In 1998 the band appears to be as popular as ever. Vortex received mail from several countries. The albums have become collectable. Several hardrock and heavy metal magazines featured interviews with members of the band and in April of 1998 - "The Dawning" - an album with re-recorded highlights was released. The Metal Gates have been reopened! From that time Vortex is touring again and in 2000 Swedish Stormbringer Records released the 10” vinyl EP "The Mill" (also as a picture disc). In 2002 Steelhunter Records released another two picture discs: an original "Metal Bats" and "Open The Gate" albums. Both of them were later re-released on CD with Unisound Records' label (Greece). Finally in 2003 Vortex returned with brand new studio album "Hammer Of The North" (Hellion Records, Germany), which was released on both CD and vinyl format, with a lot of bonus tracks. The next studio album ("Welcome to metalland") will be released in 2005, again on Hellion Records. (source: http://www.vortexhome.nl)

Latest updates: Bassman Harry Brinkman left the band a while ago, and is replaced by René Zonneveld. Vortex will enter the studio again (this time in Germany) in the autumn of 2007. Nice to mention is that Harry de Winter will produce the album, the guy who produced "Metal Bats" and "Open the Gate" too!

MEMBERS:

As you can see, Vortex had quite some line-up changes during the years.

Current Line-up

Jurjen "Thunderfox" Tichelaar - Vocals (Other bands: Saratoga, WildRose, Mean Machine)
Martjo "Whirlewolf" Brongers - Guitar (Other bands: Maestro, Lightning, WildRose, Foxfire)
Orion Roos - Guitar (Other bands: Maestro)
René Zonneveld - Bass (Other bands: Maestro)
Henk Bosma - Drums

Ex-members

Gerrit Kuiper - Vocals
Peter de Bluts - Drums
Gerard Waalboer - Guitars
Peter Hummel - Guitars
Rikkie - Bass
Peter Hes - Bass (Other bands: Steel against Steel)
Harry Brinkman - Bass (Other bands: Steel against Steel)
Peter Douwenga - Bass
Andre Rombout - Guitars
Harmen Schaap - Drums
Guus Boltendal - Drums
Jack Schurer - Drums (Other bands: Leader)
Sief Molenberg - Drums
Coos Grevelink - Drums
Ebby Lee - Drums
Jan "Macleans" Clemens - Bass
Jon "The Chief" Roffel - Drums (Other bands: Angle, WildRose)
Berend "The Steeg" Steegeman - Guitar

DISCOGRAPHY:

1982 First flight of the bats (DEMO)
1982 Midnight riding, kid catching (DEMO)
1982 Holland Heavy Metal (Compilation LP - Tracks: I had enough/Gonna hit you/she says)
1983 Land of the late (DEMO)
1984 Metallic Dawning (DEMO)
1984 Dutch Steel (Compilation LP - Tracks: Mercenary/Land of the late)
1984 Metal Bats (MLP)
1986 Open the Gate (LP)
1998 The Dawning (Best off/Compilation CD Top Hole Records)
1999 Heavy Metal Maniacs (Compilation CD - Track: Open the gate '99 version)
2000 The Mill (10" MLP Stormbringer records)
2001 Heavy Metal Maniacs pt. 2 (Compilation CD - Track: Another life)
2004 Hammer of the North (LP/CD Hellion Records)
2005 Welcome to Metalland (LP/CD Hellion Records)

MULTIMEDIA


Open the Gate videoclip (from Sky channel). Click on pic to watch!

MEMORABILIA



Some pretty recent live pics

ENTER THE VAULTS OF MARTJO'S ATTIC - THE UNOFFICIAL VORTEX MUSEUM (Free entrance!)