Vandenberg are back with new line-up and album

Guitarist and founding member Adrian Vandenberg has relaunched his eponymous Dutch hard rock band, Vandenberg.

Author: Scott ColothanPublished 30th Jan 2020
Last updated 11th Mar 2020

Over the past three decades since Vandenberg’s demise, Adrian Vandenberg has been a core member of Whitesnake and the driving force behind the bands Manic Eden and Vandenberg’s Moonkings.

Adrian Vandenberg has announced today (30th January) that he has now brought Vandenberg back to life and he’s currently putting the finishing touches to a fourth studio album with esteemed producer Bob Marlette (Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath).

When the nine-track record sees the light of day later in 2020 via Mascot Label Group, it will be Vandenberg’s first studio album since ‘Alibi’ way back in 1985.

The album features vocals on all tracks from Chilean singer Ronnie Romero, who shot to fame in 2016 when Ritchie Blackmore personally recruited him for the Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow reunion shows.

Additionally, bassist Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake) and drummer Brian Tichy (Slash, Ozzy Osbourne, Foreigner) both performed on the album.

As a taster for the album of original songs, you can listen to a new version of Vandenberg’s signature tune ‘Burning Heart’ right here:

Explaining why he has revived Vandenberg, Adrian Vandenberg says: “Going with the band name Vandenberg was a logical decision. Rock fans would know right away what they are dealing with. I felt that I wasn’t done with the style of music I wrote for my band Vandenberg at the time and wanted to pick up the thread where I left it when I joined Whitesnake.

“But to me that would only make sense if I’d come up with a brand new, testosterone driven version of Vandenberg with a kick ass, world class line-up. Vandenberg 2020 on steroids. So that’s exactly what we did. BAM! Here I go again.”

Ronnie Romero adds: “To me it’s kind of a dream come true. I’ve followed Adrian´s career since for years and he always was one of my favourite guitar players, so to work with him is nothing but amazing to me.

“Adrian is an exceptional musician, and it's really easy to work with him, the energy when we work together was fantastic, we had great times at the studio with our producer Bob Marlette, very exciting time.”

Producer Bob Marlette enthuses: "Working with Adrian has been a real pleasure. The man is working around the clock and his well of new riffs and melodies never seems to dry. With a powerful singer such as Ronnie Romero behind the microphone, I was some true magic expecting to happen and let me tell you... it has.”

Adrian Vandenberg has also confirmed that there will be live dates to support the album, saying: “I want to get out there and play. We want to play this music to audiences all over the world.”

Ronnie Romero will be a member of Adrian Vandenberg’s touring band alongside drummer Koen Herfst and bassist Randy van der Elsen.