Update: The following press release is from MTM Music & Publishing:
Dutch Metal band VENGEANCE was snapped up by CBS Records after company A&R men
witnessed their debut gig in 1983. The group had formed earlier that year following
guitarist Arjen Lucassen's departure from the ranks of BODINE. Lucassen was joined in the
first incarnation of VENGEANCE by vocalist Leon Goewie, second guitarist Oscar Hollmann,
bassist Jan Bijlsma and drummer Matt Oligschlager. The group released their self-titled
debut album in July 1984, folllowing it up with the quite stunning 'We Have Ways To Make
You Rock' album a year later. This second album found new drummer John Snels in the band.
Hollmann had departed by the third album, 1987's more groove laden 'Take It Or Leave It',
and was superseded by Peter Verschurren. The band added another guitarist, Jan Somers,
prior to recording 'Arabia' in 1988. Although successful in mainland Europe, VENGEANCE
limited themselves to a couple of club dates in Britain to promote 'Arabia' in 1989 and
Leon Goewie left in 1990 to be replaced with British vocalist IAN PARRY, formerly a member
of AIRRACE.
Parry's work with VENGEANCE didn't pass unnoticed as the compilation album, 'The Last
Teardrops 1984-1992', features six songs recorded with the singer. 1994's Japanese only
'The Last Of The Fallen Heroes' also included some of the material recorded with Parry. It
was during 1994 that the group eventually called it a day and Ian went on to release three
solo albums, whilst Leon Goewie - the man he replaced - turned up fronting German outfit
CORACKO. By 1995 this group had evolved into STONEWASHED.
During 1997 a resurrected VENGEANCE offered the world a brand new album, 'Back From Flight
19' (a reference to the squadron of US planes that had disappeared in the Bermuda
Triangle), which saw a return to the ranks for Goewie alongside Somers and Verschuren,
complemented with new faces Barend Courbois on bass guitar, Roland Bakker on keyboards and
drummer Paul Thissen.
VENGEANCE is now back with a in your face rock album. The band feat. Leon
Goewie, Barend Courbois, Michael Eurich (WARLOCK, CASANOVA), Michael Voss (SILVER,
CASANOVA, MAD MAX) and as a very special guest founding member Arjen Lucassen on guitar
and Mat Sinner (SINNER, PRIMAL FEAR) for background vocals! The band will perform the BANG
YOUR HEAD Festival in June this year, feat. Arjen Lucassen!
Tracklist:
01. Back In The Ring
02. No Mercy
03. Mind Over Matter
04. Captain Moonlight
05. Holy Water
06. Bad Attitude
07. Had Enough
08. Now And Then
09. Cowboy Song
10. Rip It Off
11. Evelyn
Line-up:
Leon Goewie - Vocals
Barend Courbois - Bass
Hans InT Zandt - Drums
Peter Slash Bourbon - Guitars
Michael Voss additional Guitars, Keyboards, Background Vocals (SILVER, CASANOVA)
Michael Eurich Drums on Rip It Off (WARLOCK, CASANOVA)
Wolf Hoffmann - Lead Guitars on Mind Over Matter
Arjen Lucassen - Lead Guitars on Captain Moonlight
Mat Sinner - Backing Vocals
In regards to the new album the members say:
Loen Goewie: " It's a straight to the point no nonsense album. A piece you can relay
on .It's Gonne bring you back in times where everybody was rocking and banging like a
bunch of crazy mother fuckers. A flat in the face this is what you get album. You like it
or not - there's nothing in between! It rocks like it used to be. Rock from the bottom of
your soul. We have chosen the title "Back In The Ring" because old rockers never
die! Old classic rockers are back - back in the ring! The music gives you the feeling of a
knockout!"
Leon continues and explains their comeback reasons: "I always had the feeling that
something was not ready. So when MTM gave us the chance to finish a job we started almost
25 years ago. We grabbed it right by the balls. And I think we just started and there much
more to come!"
Barend Courbois: "Everything ok over there, I would like to make some comments about
the fantastic new album!
When I was with Casanova (the band from my long term friend Michael Voss) on a Spain tour
in the beginning of last year , I got the idea of working with Leon Goewie again and
bringing Holland's finest hard-rock band Vengeance back to live.
Couple of weeks later I had to substitute the original bass-player for Casanova again but
now in good old England, I ask Michael can you help me (Michael and Vengeance played
together during a big Bonfire/Vengeance tour late 80) and was pleased to produce the whole
comeback CD.
Within a couple of month we got the record deal with MTM. Michael, Leon and me started
working and later on we ad different guest players, we worked hard, had a great time, and
the whole process was super relaxed. And here we are : Back in the ring again. We got a
great live line-up and Leon is still one of Europe's best singers/frontmen, and he is
ready to let you scream your ball's off !!!!!!!!!!!!"
Press-feedback so far:
"A terrific comeback album, rocking even more than their cornerstone ARABIA!"
(Metal Hammer)
"Finally, a comeback making sense and packed with fun! The Dutch rockers didn't
forget anything. Back in the ring - back with a vengeance" (Rock Hard)
"The comeback of the year" (Break Out)
"VENGEANCE are back in the spotlight with a fresh 'Rock 'n' roll shower'."
(Heavy)