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Wormholedeath is pleased to announce the signing of Belgian speed/heavy metal band Drakkar. The label has entered a licensing agreement with the band for their forthcoming album Invasion, scheduled for release on June 19, 2026.
Founded in 1983, Drakkar built their reputation on the European metal circuit throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. Their 1988 debut album X-Rated, released through New Musidisc (Paris), earned strong critical recognition and led to support slots on major European tours with Queensrÿche, Metallica, Overkill, and Slayer. The record has since become a touchstone of the Belgian metal scene.
After a period of inactivity, the band reformed in 2011 with a new lineup. X-Rated was remastered and reissued in 2012, produced by Simone Mularoni (DGM), with original vocalist Fab "Leni" Vanbellinghen returning to the fold in 2013. The reformed band recorded Once Upon a Time in Hell in 2014, featuring Jonas Sanders of Pro-Pain on drums, and went on to play over 80 dates across Europe, including the Power, Prog & Metal Festival in Mons. A live album, Once Upon a Time Hellive, followed in 2016.
The band suffered a significant loss when founding member Thierry Del Cane passed away shortly after. They chose to continue in his memory. Subsequent years brought further lineup shifts alongside new recordings, including three singles and a music video released between 2022 and 2025.
Invasion marks a new chapter: Leni Andersen returns on vocals, and founding member Guy Duvy is back on bass. The current lineup is completed by Thomas Vanhorebeek and Nico RR on guitars, and Adrien Delgambe on drums (member since 2015). Adrien is the son of former drummer and founding member Tim Delval, bringing the band back to its roots alongside Guy and Leni, and continuing to deliver their signature furious heavy/speed metal.
To celebrate the announcement, the band has released the single and video "666 'n' Rock'n' Roll (Tribute to Them)", a track dedicated to two icons of metal: Ozzy and Lemmy.
Tracklist:
1 To The Shores
2 Invasion
3 Far Away
4 Mad Clown
5 Bloody Mary
6 Crying Out
7 Never Touch The Stars
8 666 'n' Rock'n' Roll (Tribute to them)
9 The Everlasting Journey
ONLINE
LINEUP
Leni Anderssen - Vocals
Guy Duvy - Bass
Adrien Delgambe - Drums
Nico RR - Guitars
Thomas Vanhorebeek - Guitars
BIOGRAPHY/LOGO
Drakkar is a Belgian heavy/speed metal band formed in 1983 in Jurbise, Belgium. Emerging during the golden era of European metal, the band quickly built a reputation in the underground scene with their energetic mix of speed metal aggression, melodic heavy metal hooks, and early power metal influences. Their sound combined the raw intensity of bands like Metallica and Slayer with the melodic edge of Helloween and Tokyo Blade.
During the mid-1980s, Drakkar released a series of demos that helped establish their name within the European tape-trading underground. Their growing popularity led to numerous live performances alongside notable metal acts such as Queensrÿche, Overkill, and Slayer, helping them gain recognition beyond Belgium.
In 1988, the band released their debut album X-Rated, which became a cult favorite among fans of classic European speed metal. The album featured fast riffing, melodic solos, and powerful vocals, capturing the spirit of the late-1980s underground metal scene. Despite positive reactions from dedicated metal fans, the band never achieved major commercial success and eventually faded from the spotlight during the early 1990s.
Years later, interest in obscure and cult heavy metal bands led to renewed attention for Drakkar’s music. In 2012, the band’s debut was reissued as X-Rated Reloaded, featuring remastered audio and bonus material from the group’s early years.
Today, Drakkar is remembered as one of the hidden gems of the Belgian metal underground, appreciated by collectors and fans of traditional speed and power metal for their authentic old-school sound and energetic songwriting.
DISCOGRAPHY
X-Rated (1988)
Once upon a Time... in Hell! (2014)
Diabolical Empathy (2017)
Invasion (2026)
GENRE/COUNTRY
Power Metal/Speed Metal
Belgium
