THE STORY OF VORTEX


BEWARE OF THE METAL BATS... THEY BITE STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE! 

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. 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 will be released in 2005, again on Hellion Records.

MEMBERS OF VORTEX 1979 - 2005:

Line-up 2005:
Martjo Brongers - guitar
Jurjen Tichelaar - vocals
Orion Roos - guitar
Harry Brinkman - bass
Henk Bosma - drums
Line-up 2004:
Martjo Brongers - guitar
Jurjen Tichelaar - vocals
Orion Roos - guitar
Peter Douwenga - bass
Henk Bosma - drums
Line-up 1998:
Martjo Brongers - guitar
Jurjen Tichelaar - vocals
Jack Schurer - drums
Ad Kooi - bass
Harry Zandstra - guitar
Line-up 1986:
Martjo Brongers - guitar
Jurjen Tichelaar - vocals
Berend Stegeman - guitar
Jan Klemens - bass 
John Roffel - drums
Line-up 1985:
Martjo 'Whirlewolf' Brongers - guitar
Jurjen 'Thundervox' Tichelaar - vocals
Berend 'Steeg' Stegeman - guitar
Peter ‘Macleans’ Hes - bass
John 'B Bobberboy' Roffel - drums
Line-up 1984:
Martjo Brongers - guitar
Jurjen Tichelaar - vocals
Peter Hes - bass
Berend Stegeman - guitar
Sief Molenberg - drums
Line-up 1982:
Martjo Brongers - guitar
Jurjen Tichelaar - vocals
Peter Hes - bass
Peter de Bluts - drums
Andre Rombout - guitar
Line-up 1979:
Martjo Brongers - guitar
Gerrit Kuiper - vocals
Gerard Waalboer - guitar
Peter Hummel - guitar
Rikkie - bass
Peter de Bluts - drums