Vortex

VORTEX was formed in Groningen, Netherlands in 1979 and became one of the early names of the Dutch heavy metal underground. After several years of playing live and recording demos, the band released their classic ‘Metal Bats’ EP in 1985, followed by their legendary full-length ‘Open The Gate’ in 1986. Both releases established VORTEX as a cult name among Dutch metal fans, combining traditional heavy metal with the raw energy of the early European metal scene.

After the original era, VORTEX returned to action in the late 1990s and continued to write, record and perform. The band released ‘Remains’ in 2014, showcasing that VORTEX had lost none of their old-school heavy metal spirit after more than three decades. The album became the first VORTEX release to be reissued on vinyl by Metal Warrior Records, marking the beginning of a series dedicated to preserving the band's long history.

Metal Warrior Records has since continued to bring key chapters of the VORTEX catalogue back to vinyl, including the classic ‘Metal Bats’ and ‘Open The Gate’, both expanded with bonus material, as well as ‘Remains’. Now the story continues with ‘The Mill’, originally recorded in 2000 and featuring the complete EP together with rare recordings from the same period. With more than four decades of history behind them, VORTEX remain one of the true cult names of Dutch heavy metal.