Outburst

The original MySpace Map! Click here to make your own!When in 1998 Jos van den Brand, Serge Smolders and Michel Meeuwiseen decided to move on, following the break-up of Acrostichon, they set for them selves a musical goal that nowadays is quite popular; mixing melodic thrash metal with death metal and Gothenburg style melodies. Quickly joined by Tijn and Tjerk, they found themselves ready to take on the challenge. At the end of 1998 Outburst released their first demo cd Symbols Of Brutality. The three tracks presented a rough mixture of styles. But still, their music needed a couple of years to come to its definitive form. With 2000s Time Has Come they were well on their way and received good reviews in Dutch press. After that release Michel Meeuwissen left the band to concentrate on his other band Crustacean. Only a few months after he left, the four remaining guys found a suitable replacement in Arvid Kuipers. In 2001 the new Outburst started to take shape, with all five members going for one common goal; make the best thrash metal there is and gaining popularity on the way. They recorded two songs for a free give away promo at concerts. Roughly 600 were given away. In October Outburst played the Chuck Schuldiner Tribute concert in 013, Tilburg. In early 2002, the first of many good support slots were booked; The Defaced (Sweden) and Tankard (Germany). On June 1st 2002, Outburst got the chance to perform for the largest audience they had ever played for; OZZFEST in Nijmegen, Holland. After that, Outburst toured Holland with Macabre (USA) and Darkane (S) as well as opening up for Arch Enemy (S). Recorded in 2002, early 2003 saw the release of the Overfiend mini cd, which also featured a live video of the Ozzfest performance. It was released just before the No Mercy festival in Holland where Outburst played alongside Death Angel, Nuclear Assault and Testament. More shows were played and just before they went to the USA, they were invited to open for Anthrax in Rotterdam. The Milwaukee Metalfest marked the bands first trip to the USA, with an actual first US show in Chicago. The band started to gain more popularity and it seemed as if Outburst was going to be the regular support act for Bay Area thrash bands that play Holland, as Eindhoven welcomed them as openers for Testament. In 2004 Outburst started working on their first full length album. In between the band only did a couple of shows with Dew Scented and again; Death Angel. In august Outburst entered the Double Noise studio in Tilburg, Holland, to start recording with producer Jochem Jacobs (Textures, Hiding With Girls a.o.). Textures vocalist Eric Kalsbeek came to the studio and recorded some vocals for the track Attack Of The Overfiend. In september, Outburst singer Tjerk recorded guest vocals in Denver, CO for the new Cephalic Carnage album and to return the favour, Cephalic singer Leonard Leal sang on Outbursts What The Eyes See. The new full length album 'Fair And Balanced' will surface on August 28th of 2006.