Gorefest
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | Jan-Chris de Koeijer, Frank Harthoorn, Alex van Schaik, Marc Hoogendoorn |
| Headquarters | Goes , Netherlands |
| Products | Death metal music, albums, EPs, singles |
Gorefest was a death metal group originating from Goes, Zeeland in the Netherlands, established in 1989 by Jan-Chris de Koeijer, Frank Harthoorn, Alex van Schaik, and Marc Hoogendoorn.
Initial Phase (1989–1994)
Shortly after forming, Gorefest recorded their debut demo within two months. They secured a contract for one album with the Dutch independent label Foundation 2000. Prior to recording Mindloss, they issued another demo in 1990 that garnered favorable reviews. By supporting Carcass on tour throughout Belgium and the Netherlands, they built a solid reputation within the metal community. The 1991 album Mindloss was produced by Colin Richardson.
Before embarking on a tour with New Jersey’s Revenant, guitarist Alex van Schaik was replaced by Boudewijn Vincent Bonebakker. Unhappy with Foundation 2000, Gorefest switched to Nuclear Blast in 1992. Drummer Marc Hoogendoorn departed following incidents during touring and was succeeded by Ed Warby from the power metal band Elegy just prior to recording False, also under Richardson’s production. This release achieved notable success within the Netherlands and Germany's death metal scene. Their European tours that followed included performances alongside Deicide and Atrocity across Germany, Sweden, Spain, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and England.
In 1993, Gorefest performed at the Dynamo Open Air festival in Eindhoven; this show was later issued as The Eindhoven Insanity. That same year, they toured North America supporting Death, concluding with a final concert in Mexico City, Mexico.
The 1994 album Erase, produced by Pete Coleman, marked a departure from their traditional death metal roots. Although this change divided their audience, Erase enjoyed strong international sales throughout 1994 and 1995, broadening their fanbase during subsequent tours.
Stylistic Shift and Breakup (1994–1998)
Following the Fear EP and the single "Freedom," Gorefest further developed the musical direction introduced on Erase, incorporating elements of rock and pop. This progression culminated in the 1996 rock-oriented album Soul Survivor and its stylistically similar 1998 follow-up Chapter 13.
The band moved away from their intense image, adopting a more mainstream appearance. However, this transition estranged many longtime followers, resulting in disappointing sales figures and ultimately leading to their disbandment in 1998.
Reunion and Final Dissolution (2004–2009)
Gorefest reunited in 2004 and appeared at various summer festivals in 2005. They released La Muerte, a self-produced album mixed by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studios.
In 2006, frontman De Koeijer appeared as a guest vocalist during Epica's concert at Paradiso. Their last studio album, Rise to Ruin, was released in August 2007, with the American distribution handled by Candlelight Records.
On 15 June 2009, Gorefest announced their definitive breakup, explaining that they had exhausted their creative potential within the band.
Members
Final lineup
- Jan Chris de Koeijer – vocals and bass (1989–1998, 2004–2009)
- Frank Harthoorn – guitar (1989–1998, 2004–2009)
- Boudewijn Bonebakker – guitar (1991–1998, 2004–2009)
- Ed Warby – drums (1991–1998, 2004–2009)
Former members
- Marc Hoogendoorn – drums (1989–1991)
- Alex van Schaik – guitar (1989–1991)
- René Merkelbach – keyboards (1996–1998)
Studio albums
- Mindloss (1991)
- False (1992)
- Erase (1994)
- Soul Survivor (1996)
- Chapter 13 (1998)
- La Muerte (2005)
- Rise to Ruin (2007)
EPs and singles
- Live Misery (1992)
- Fear (1994)
- Freedom (1996)
Compilations
- To Hell and Back – A Goreography (2005)
- False/Erase (2005)
Live albums
- The Eindhoven Insanity (1993)