Horizon was founded by Ronald Kools and Peter "Pieke" Kops during a concert halfway 1996. They had never played together before, but they both shared a large mutual interest: melodic and symphonic metal. At that time, Ronald was playing in Evisceration , a successful symphonic deathmetal band. Goat, Peter's punk/rock band, had just split up.
The two guitarists started rehearsing in Buk Buk, a local youthcenter. However, it was until July that Horizon really set off. Evisceration fell apart and bassplayer Finus Tromp joined the band, followed a week later by former Godspeed and Union Morbide drummer, Marcel Hommes.
Symphonic metal without keyboards is almost out of the question. The only problem now is: which one? Both John Ruiter , ex-vocalist and keyboardplayer of Les Cavaliers Noirs and Richard Moot, former Evisceration keyboardplayer, are very interested in joining Horizon. Unable to decide, Ronald comes up with the idea to use two keyboardplayers for an even more atmospheric sound.
The first gig is played on the 21st of December, as support act of Gorefest. Although the band now exists for only 3 months, the reactions are overwhelming. The combination of grunt and normal vocals combined with a bombastic and atmospheric sound proves to be impressive. The positive reactions also result in other gigs with bands like After Forever, Within Temptation and Frozen Sun.
On the 8th and 9th of March the first demo, "Carve My Soul", is recorded and produced by Han Swagerman in the Beaufort Recording Studio in Bovenkarspel. Many positive reviews in local and foreign magazines show that Horizon faces a bright future. The recordlabels also notice the good reputation of the band and start to contact the band for possible CD recordings.
In September, Finus and Marcel both decide to leave the band. Replacement is found in Rick Mulder (drums) and Mick Hagen (bass), both from rockband Odysseus. With this line-up, a new milestone is reached: the first foreign gig. Horizon plays on two festivals in IIsalmi and Vierema, Finland. The trip is overwhelming: great gigs in a wonderful country.
Meanwhile, the band is busy in Holland as well. In November 1998, Horizon records the second demo called Aerosoul. This new demo is recorded is superior in every aspect: better structures, better melodies, more power and last but not least a better sound. This results in enthusiastic reviews and the demo (which also contains the previous Carve My Soul demo as bonustracks) even scores "demo of the month" in a dutch music magazine.
Finally, in January 1999, bassplayer Mick Hagen is replaced by Charles Senff and an extra female vocalist by the name of Marlies Schuitemaker joins the band. Her strong melodic voice fits the music very well and some of the vocal parts in the existing songs are taken over.
However, all things come to an end and Rick and Marlies leave the band in 2000. Rick is replaced by former Spitting Cows drummer Vincent Gerits. In this line-up, the band plays some good shows all over Holland, including the some great gigs with Soundisciples (filming their rockumentary for Channel 4) and Lacuna Coil, but then Peter decides it's time to quit in 2001. Some new members are recruited for both guitars and female vocals, but somehow the chemistry is gone and finally the band decides to call it a day.
Right now, some of Horizon's members are active in 3rd Machine .
