VANDENBERG has recruited Mats Leven as its new lead singer. The powerhouse Swedish vocalist is known for his work with Yngwie Malmsteen, CANDLEMASS and tours with TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, among many other bands. To celebrate this new coming together, they have announced their only show of 2021 with the new lineup at the Planet Rockstock festival at Trecco Bay, Wales, on Friday, November 12. You can buy tickets here.
VANDENBERG guitarist Adrian Vandenberg comments: “To say I’m excited about working with Mats Leven would be an understatement. It’s a huge privilege to work with a vocalist of Mats‘s world-class calibre, who’s just as passionate about kick-ass rock and as motivated and dedicated as I am. A one-of-a-kind signature voice, commanding stage presence, very experienced but as far from running on automatic pilot as humanly possible and a great guy.
“Mats and I are working on our new songs for the next VANDENBERG album as we speak. We’re pushing and inspiring each other to keep raising the bar and are coming up with great, very exciting stuff.”
Mats says: “I’m thrilled to join VANDENBERG and to be recording the new album. I’ve been a fan since the ’80s, and I’m honored to be soon sharing the stage with my Dutch amigos.”
VANDENBERG‘s 2021 lineup is completed by bassist Randy Van Der Elsen (of NWOBHM heroes TANK) and drummer Koen Herfst (EPICA and DORO).
“I believe the vibe we have with this turbocharged lineup is wonderful,” concludes Vandenberg. “We are not at all a nostalgia act, trying to recreate what happened all those years back. This is a brand-new dynamic band with a name that has a legacy, and I couldn’t be happier with the way it’s turned out.”
Leven replaces Ronnie Romero, and the band are already working on the follow-up to ‘2020,’ last years’ acclaimed first album since 1985. Talking about the new material, Adrian says, “Mats and I are working on our new songs for the next Vandenberg album as we speak. We’re pushing and inspiring each other to keep raising the bar and are coming up with great, very exciting stuff! Inspired by the best rock bands from the ’70s and 80’s that we grew up on while taking it to the 2020s sonically and dynamically. Straight in your face stadium rockers, layered epic tracks and, of course, a heart-wrenching signature rock ballad. After the amazing re-start with our Vandenberg “2020” album, for which the worldwide response was way, way beyond what I could have wished for, we’re more than ready to switch to an even higher gear with our upcoming one. We can’t wait to hit the worldwide stages hard with this killer Vandenberg line-up with Mats, Koen, Randy and me! Does it sound like I’m excited? You got that right!”
Led by master guitarist Adrian Vandenberg, the Dutch foursome released three quality albums during the early to mid-’80s, namely, the self-titled 1982 debut (spawning the U.S. hit single “Burning Heart”), “Heading For A Storm” (1983) and “Alibi” (1985). They achieved commercial success and earned much acclaim. The band toured the U.S., Japan and Europe playing with the likes of OZZY OSBOURNE, KISS, RUSH, SCORPIONS, MICHAEL SCHENKER and more.
Vandenberg has had an impressive career. He was a member of WHITESNAKE for 13 years at the height of their fame, contributing the solo on their No. 1 hit “Here I Go Again”. He spent many years duelling with Steve Vai on guitar and has returned for many reunions. He was part of supergroup MANIC EDEN, and more recently released a number of albums with VANDENBERG’S MOONKINGS.
Vandenberg previously said about Van Der Elsen and Herfst‘s additions to VANDENBERG: “Koen has been voted Holland’s best hard rock drummer now for several years. He has the sort of fire in his belly that would make any greats such as John Bonham and Ian Paice smile. Randy was highly recommended to me and has a lot of experience. Like Koen, he is a brilliant musician.”
