OVERVIEW
VORTEX – “Them Witches”
Label: Gates Of Hell Records
Release date: 20.09.2019
Distribution: Soulfood (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), Code 7 / PHD (UK), Audioglobe (Italy), Sonic Rendezvous (Benelux), MVD (USA, Canada), Soulfood (Rest of Europe)

Dutch heavy metal originators VORTEX has scratched and clawed their way through the underground, emerging with “Them Witches”, a collection of songs unearthed from 1987, brought to life in time for the band’s 40th anniversary.
One of the first practitioners of heavy metal in the Netherlands, VORTEX formed in 1979, a time when the style was a blank canvas. Influenced by the likes of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, the early compositions of founding member and primary songwriter Martjo “Whirwolf” Brongers revealed a band capable of writing powerful, harmony-dominated metal that would quickly make Vortex a cult favorite in their home country. Since their appearance on 1982’s “Holland Heavy Metal Vol. 2 – Live in Brouwershoeck”, VORTEX has steadfastly flown the Dutch metal flag, never chasing trends and always remaining true to themselves. Although mainstream and commercial acceptance has forever eluded the band, VORTEX hasn’t lasted 40 years by sheer luck. “Them Witches” is a testament to the forever-burning flame of old-school metal.
In 2018, Brongers digitized the band’s old demos. Along the way, he uncovered songs originally intended for the band’s third album, which was supposed to see the light of day in 1987. Realizing the potential of these songs, Brongers called vocalist Jurjen “Thunderforce” Tichelaar with the idea to re-record the demos in preparation for the band’s 40th anniversary. Tracked at Soundlodge Studios in Germany, the resultant “Them Witches” is a ten-song platter of tried-and-true, anthemic metal cuts, guided by soaring twin-guitar harmonies and festival-ready sing-alongs. From headstrong NWOBHM gallops to mid-tempo romps and everything in between, “Them Witches” honors the timeless art of pure, no-frills heavy metal songwriting, made all the more remarkable that every song here was written over 30 years ago.
VORTEX, who are rounded out by second guitarist Orion Roos, bassist Harm Ten Hoove and drummer Henk Bosma, have kept the metal flame burning for 40 years simply out of love and their respect for the genre. They are simply “classic guys playing classic metal,” a line Brongers and his bandmates can rightfully lay claim to.

TRACKLIST

1. Spiritualien  (5:12)

2. Death At Dawn  (4:23)

3. I. C. U.  (5:42)

4. Them Witches  (6:17)

5. Gonna Hit You  (4:44)

6. Tremorial  (6:27)

7. No Breath  (3:24)

8. Fearless  (4:24)

9. Five Fall  (5:56)

10. Thirst Things First  (4:16)

LINE-UP

Jurjen “Thunderforce” Tichelaar – Vocals

Martjo “Whirwolf” Brongers- Guitar

Orion Roos – Guitar

Harm Ten Hoove – Bass

Henk Bosma – Drums

DISCOGRAPHY
Metal Bats ( 1985)
Open The Gate  (1986)
Hammer of the North (2003)
Welcome to Metalland (2005)
Drink Bat Blood (2010)
Remains (2014)
Them Witches (2019, Gates of Hell Records)
 

https://www.facebook.com/VortexHeavyMetal

https://www.facebook.com/gatesofhellrecords

http://www.gatesofhellrecords.com