Drakkar (BEL) - Biography
This band's profile is 'invisible', meaning that it's much less prominent on the site - either because it's incomplete, or maybe doesn't entirely fit MS format.
Biography
DRAKKAR is a musical band formed in 1983. After a couple of years the quintet finds its steady line-up as well as its musical direction. During these two years the band composes and evolves into a melodic and technical SPEED METAL that will hit the mark in many live (public) performances.
During 1985 DRAKKAR released its first demo tape which included three titles. This tape was produced by Rudy Lenners (Ex. SCORPIONS) and was acclaimed by both critics and SPEED METAL fans. The band was frequently compared to the best German Heavy Metal / Speed Metal of the moment. That recording lead DRAKKAR to a collaboration with MAUSOLEUM records.
The band was frequently performing between 1985 and 1986, mainly in Belgium and in the north of France. Day by day the band was rewarded with fans’ growing enthusiasm.
In 1987 DRAKKAR recorded a new demo tape still under the artistic direction of Rudy Lenners. The quality of the compositions as well as the power brought out by the songs gave the band the opportunity to sign an artistic contract with N.E.W MUSIDISC. The album called X-RATED was released in 1988.
Through this first album DRAKKAR was quickly considered everyone as one of the most promising bands of Speed Metal across Europe.
X-RATED is distributed all over Europe. Thanks to that the band got quickly promoted and raised its profile through audience eagerness. Their delivered excellent performances to their public. Even more they were given the chance to support legendary bands like Queensrÿche/Metallica, as well as Overkill/Slayer during their European tours.
Despite their increasing success, DRAKKAR decided to separate some years later due to contractual difficulties. All the band performers then decided to try their luck on their own side.
In 1998 they decided to reunite in order to resume working on projects they left aside a few years ago. The band starts producing powerful, melodic, precise and technical compositions alike the ones which were so successful on their album X-RATED.
In 1999 Drakkar came back with a brand new EP including five pieces which caught record industry’s companies. It gave the band the opportunity to get back on the right track.
After a successful test performance in front of a fervent Belgian public - in spite of all the years that have passed – the band decided to wait a bit longer in order to properly prepare their return.
Meanwhile, the band decided to perform in some very exclusive shows such as EURO FESTIVAL in 2000 in Germany. A further break unfortunately occurred then.
Eventually ready more than ever Drakkar returned simultaneously with a “Reunion Show” which took place in Mons on 21st January 2012. The band presented a new line-up composed of three guitarists. They literally electrified the place!
In the beginning of 2012, X-RATED – the mythical album from the band – is released once again with some new features as a new mastering, a new artwork and two new tracks recorded in a studio. These songs called ‘Alone’ and ‘The Undertaker’ are released in early September 2012 announcing the band’s return. They are then produced by Simone Mularoni (Producer and guitarist from DGM and Empyrios).
In Mars 2013, due to musical divergences, Drakkar parted ways with Silver - singer from the recombination. As a result, Fab “Leny” Vanbellinghen (the original singer) made his come-back.
Drakkar started to perform once more here and there but above all indoor Metal festivals in Europe. The most famous PPM fest!!!!
Taking of the opportunity of being in the festival line up Drakkar records a “Live report at PPM Fest “ movie which is reached more than 193000 views on You tube .
The fans are getting more and more enthusiastic and the band - being passionate and involved more than ever – started working very hard on their new opus that was finalized in December 2013.
2014 will definitely be the climax of the band as they are getting surrounded by a dynamic structure and a solid team.
They provided themselves the means to match up to their goals: new website, new merchandising and most of all a brand new long-awaited album including 11 tracks which will give birth to a new video clip for their single called "LOST".
So follow us in the adventure….ONCE UPON A TIME … IN HELL !
During 1985 DRAKKAR released its first demo tape which included three titles. This tape was produced by Rudy Lenners (Ex. SCORPIONS) and was acclaimed by both critics and SPEED METAL fans. The band was frequently compared to the best German Heavy Metal / Speed Metal of the moment. That recording lead DRAKKAR to a collaboration with MAUSOLEUM records.
The band was frequently performing between 1985 and 1986, mainly in Belgium and in the north of France. Day by day the band was rewarded with fans’ growing enthusiasm.
In 1987 DRAKKAR recorded a new demo tape still under the artistic direction of Rudy Lenners. The quality of the compositions as well as the power brought out by the songs gave the band the opportunity to sign an artistic contract with N.E.W MUSIDISC. The album called X-RATED was released in 1988.
Through this first album DRAKKAR was quickly considered everyone as one of the most promising bands of Speed Metal across Europe.
X-RATED is distributed all over Europe. Thanks to that the band got quickly promoted and raised its profile through audience eagerness. Their delivered excellent performances to their public. Even more they were given the chance to support legendary bands like Queensrÿche/Metallica, as well as Overkill/Slayer during their European tours.
Despite their increasing success, DRAKKAR decided to separate some years later due to contractual difficulties. All the band performers then decided to try their luck on their own side.
In 1998 they decided to reunite in order to resume working on projects they left aside a few years ago. The band starts producing powerful, melodic, precise and technical compositions alike the ones which were so successful on their album X-RATED.
In 1999 Drakkar came back with a brand new EP including five pieces which caught record industry’s companies. It gave the band the opportunity to get back on the right track.
After a successful test performance in front of a fervent Belgian public - in spite of all the years that have passed – the band decided to wait a bit longer in order to properly prepare their return.
Meanwhile, the band decided to perform in some very exclusive shows such as EURO FESTIVAL in 2000 in Germany. A further break unfortunately occurred then.
Eventually ready more than ever Drakkar returned simultaneously with a “Reunion Show” which took place in Mons on 21st January 2012. The band presented a new line-up composed of three guitarists. They literally electrified the place!
In the beginning of 2012, X-RATED – the mythical album from the band – is released once again with some new features as a new mastering, a new artwork and two new tracks recorded in a studio. These songs called ‘Alone’ and ‘The Undertaker’ are released in early September 2012 announcing the band’s return. They are then produced by Simone Mularoni (Producer and guitarist from DGM and Empyrios).
In Mars 2013, due to musical divergences, Drakkar parted ways with Silver - singer from the recombination. As a result, Fab “Leny” Vanbellinghen (the original singer) made his come-back.
Drakkar started to perform once more here and there but above all indoor Metal festivals in Europe. The most famous PPM fest!!!!
Taking of the opportunity of being in the festival line up Drakkar records a “Live report at PPM Fest “ movie which is reached more than 193000 views on You tube .
The fans are getting more and more enthusiastic and the band - being passionate and involved more than ever – started working very hard on their new opus that was finalized in December 2013.
2014 will definitely be the climax of the band as they are getting surrounded by a dynamic structure and a solid team.
They provided themselves the means to match up to their goals: new website, new merchandising and most of all a brand new long-awaited album including 11 tracks which will give birth to a new video clip for their single called "LOST".
So follow us in the adventure….ONCE UPON A TIME … IN HELL !