Spartan

Spartan is a five-piece power and death metal band from Haarlem in the Netherlands, formed in 2007. The current line-up includes Jeffrey Rademakers on vocals, Pieter Vink and Nick van Beusekom on lead and rhythm guitar, Mike van Bekkum on bass guitar, and Frank Bos on drums.

Formation and early line-up

The band begins with Tom Brons on drums, Kim Bouman on rhythm guitar, Marc Scholtemeijer on lead guitar, and Jeffrey Rademakers on vocals. In early 2008, Ronald van Eggelen joins on bass, and the group starts writing the songs that appear on its first EP. Later in 2008, Kim Bouman leaves and Pieter Vink joins to cover the guitar role. In 2009, Marc Scholtemeijer leaves, Ronald van Eggelen is replaced by Mike van Bekkum, and Nick van Beusekom joins as lead guitarist.

Recording and releases

Near the end of 2009, Spartan releases its first album, For Glory. Several of the songs on the album are co-written by former members Kim Bouman, Marc Scholtemeijer, and Ronald van Eggelen. The recordings are made in the band’s own studio and engineered by Pieter Vink.

Touring and later membership changes

Tom Brons leaves the band in July 2010, after which Spartan spends several months bringing in replacement drummer Simon Zwart and writing and recording new material. In early 2012, the band begins playing shows in the Netherlands to introduce Simon and some of the newer songs. In 2013, Spartan joins Rotting Christ on a European tour. Simon Zwart then leaves, and Mike the Vries of State of Negation fills in on drums for the tour and remains as a substitute until a permanent replacement is found. Frank Bos officially joins on drums in January 2014.

Style and related details

Spartan is associated with melodic death metal, power death metal, death metal, power metal, and prog rock. The track Cracks is noted among the band’s material. The group is also identified as working on completing its first full-length album.