Vanderbuyst

Vanderbuyst is a Dutch heavy metal band from the Netherlands, active between 2008 and 2015. The group forms as a power trio and plays hard rock and heavy metal with an emphasis on 1970s and 1980s hard rock, classic rock and early NWOBHM.

Formation and line-up

The band forms in 2008 around guitarist Willem Verbuyst, who previously plays in Powervice. He is joined by Barry van Esbroek on drums and Jochem Jonkman on bass and lead vocals. The trio format is central to the band’s sound and presentation.

Style and influences

Vanderbuyst draws on bands such as UFO, Rainbow, Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple, Van Halen and ZZ Top. Their music is described as old-school hard rock rather than newer metal styles, with a direct and stripped-back approach.

Recordings

The band’s first release is a three-track self-titled EP in 2008. It is recorded at VOID Studio in Eindhoven, with Pieter G. Kloos mixing and co-producing alongside Selim Lemouchi. The EP is noted for its classic songwriting and its authentic sound.

Vanderbuyst records its first full-length album in spring 2010, again at VOID Studio with Pieter G. Kloos. The album includes seven tracks, two of which are recorded live in the studio, and one of those is a cover of UFO’s “Rock Bottom”. The self-titled album is issued on Ván Records and is available on vinyl and CD. It receives strong reviews, including a 9/10 rating from Rock Hard.

Live activity

The band builds a strong live reputation and plays around 50 shows in 2010. It supports Saxon on the European leg of that group’s world tour in 2011 and appears at festivals including Rock Hard Festival in Germany, Metal Camp in Slovenia, Magic Metal Festival in Denmark and Zwarte Cross in the Netherlands. By the end of 2011 it has played more than 100 gigs.

End of the band

In 2014, Vanderbuyst announces that it will disband, and the group’s active period ends in 2015.