Outcast

http://outcast.deathmetal.beThe story of Outcast starts back in '97. Two brothers, Nick and Tim, decide to jam together and soon, a few songs result from those sessions. Nico and Wouter, two good friends come to check them out now and then. Eventually, they also join the band. While Wouter is screaming his lungs out, Nico takes care of the 4-string. The first real band name at the time is 'Stronghold' but since their style of music is completely different from the other bands in the region, they change the name into 'Outcast', meaning differing from the rest.Wouter leaves the band due to a lack of time and Dréten starts doing the vocals. Shortly, after the addition of a new singer, Outcast records a tape in Tim and Nick's living room. A limited number of tapes is released on Esophagus Records. After a while, Dréten also leaves the band and is replaced by Gerrit. Outcast starts to play a lot of shows and is finally getting its name out.It's 1998 and a second guitar player is attracted to boost the power during the live shows. Wesley (ex-Sektor, ex-Strong Individual) seems to be the right man for the job.In '99, the band hits the studio to record their debut cd. Five tracks are recorded but the record label at the time fails the band and doesn't release the recordings. It's during that period that Gerrit leaves the band after all those events. A few shows are finished with two replacement singers: Steve 187 and Sven Aborted.Eventually, a new singer is found in Nico R. Since the recordings still really weren't released, the band decides to put it out on a tape. 200 copies are sold in one week! The new singer, Nico R, was amazed by this success and decided to release the recordings on his own label. This resulting in a 3-way split with Immersed in Blood (Sweden) and Confessions of Obscurity (Belgium) at the end of 2000.Again, Outcast starts playing a whole lot of shows. But Outcast wouldn't be Outcast if everything would work out perfectly. In 2001, disagreements between the band members causes a break up.Tim and Nick don't give up and keep looking for new members. With success. Geoff (ex-Retaliate) on the 4-string and Carrez (ex-Ectopia, ex-Caducity) on guitar. A new singer isn't found immediately so an 'audition' is organised. At a certain time, two friends (Beermaster & Pieter) come walking in during a rehearsel. It turns out they both have an amazing vocal sound and the band can't really choose. Because of that, two singers take care of the vocals from that time on.Filled with new blood, Outcast makes a comeback. Putting the amps on 11 and blowing the speakers. They even introduced a strip act into the set and they were back on stage...as a bomb.Unfortunately, another member leaves the band right after the come-back show. Beermaster can't combine Outcast with his studies and the band continues with only one singer.At the end of 2002, the band hits the studio again to release a split cd with Retaliate. The recordings turn out great and at the beginning of 2003, it is released on DHM Records.On the 6th of march 2003, Carrez leaves the band. His company is demanding a great part of his spare time. He isn't able to spend more time to be a part of Outcast. The band thanks him for all that he has done and goes on with the remaining 4 members.Line-up: Pieter - vocals | Geoff - 4 string | Tim - 6 string | Nick - drums