Biography

What do you get when five young and talented musicians combine the Melody of Scandinavion death with some prog, a bit of math and the brutal force of American metal?

Ethereal is about one thing and one thing only: creating overwhelming, jaw-dropping music which guarantees a good-old ache in the neck tomorrow morning. While the bands' five musicians can show skills that put them in the Premier League of the Dutch metal scene, they are not afraid to mix solid songwriting with a decent dose of showmanship. Thus, guitarist Michiel Quakernaat and synth virtuoso Uri Dijk (who won the "Best Musician" award at the 2010 Grote Prijs van Nederland) will give you dual solos rarely seen in the metal genre. There will be sticktricks, and bassplayer Bjorn van der Ploeg who loves running around stages as fast as possible. You will get frontman Daniel Verbrugge, officially ranked top-three Dutch grunter of 2009, and drummer Eelco van der Meer, who's vast experience makes him the perfect and impressive motor for the band. Moreover, you will get movement, passion, surprises, massive energy, moshpits. You will get everything you hope for when visiting a metal show.

Ethereal, formed by Michiel Quakernaat and Uri Dijk in 2005, got into serious business upon releasing their 2008 "Prologue" ep. After adding van der Ploeg and van der Meer to its line-up early 2009, the band started a surprising and impressive rise in the Dutch metal scene. The quintets 2010 and 2011 50+ shows included highlights such as Bevrijdingspop Haarlem, Werfpop, Eurosonic, Fortarock (pre-party), Zwarte Cross, Stonehenge and Occultfest. Ethereal was interviewed by major Dutch music magazines like Aardschok and Fret. As first Dutch metal band ever to play in Morocco, Ethereal opened for Arch Enemy and 6000 metalfans at the Tremplin Festival in Casablanca. Out of nowhere, the band won the prestigious Rob Acda Award and Grote Prijs van Nederland, as single loudest band ever. In February 2011, they released their second ep, "Lunacy Falls". Late 2011, Ethereal will start recording their debut album. This is the start of something that is about to get a lot bigger.

So, what do you get when combining Lamb of God's astonishingly raw energy with the melodic powerplay of, let's say, Children of Bodom? You will experience a band who's classical and prog influences are as present and impressive as are their brutal and epic riffs. A band who's live performances are unlevelled. A band, most of all, which will satisfy the needs of every person who loves loud music.

This is ETHEREAL!

Daniel Verbrugge: vocals
Michiel Quakernaat: guitars
Uri Dijk: synths
Bjorn van der Ploeg: bass, vocals
Eelco van der Meer: drums

Press quotes:
"This promising band left a thundering impression which will last for quite a while in the Dutch metal scene (...) very strong start of the festival!" (3voor12 on Zwarte Cross)

'Convincing performance, genre-surpassing and accessible. This band has a very strong sound with international potential!" (2010 Grote Prijs van Nederland jury)

'The band is clearly experienced and plays extremely tight (...) the grunts seem to be everlasting (...) this band needs no masquerade to come across professionally and very convincing (...) there is a large audience for this genre, and as long as the Dutch metal scene exists, Ethereal is able to conquer it!" (2010 Rob Acda Award jury)

'After winning the 2010 Rob Acda Award with an overwhelming performance, Ethereal proves to be worthy of this title today (...) their attention for detail is very clear (...) the bands' technical skill are beyond any doubt - and we haven't even mentioned Daniel Verbrugge's impressive vocal abilities. Ethereal transforms the huge stage to their territory in a very convincing way (...) the band shows us where believing in your own music can take you!" (3voor12 Noord-Holland on Bevrijdingspop)

'The four songs on 'Lunacy Falls' are extremely solid and perfectly produced (...) Thumbs up too for the use of social media, a lot of bigger bands can learn something from this one! Now let's find these guys a good label and put out a great full album!" (Lords Of Metal over Lunacy Falls)

'Without doubt, Ethereal has a special sound of its own (...) very strong production (...) excellent Dutch product!" (Festivalinfo on Lunacy Falls)

'his band is on a roll (...) continue as they do and Ethereal has everything to become a major force in the international metal scene!" (LiveXS on Eurosonic 2011)

'The music refers to Bleeding Through - but Ethereal is much better - and Children of Bodom, but Ethereal offers a more innovative sound (...) definately has it's own character (...) Ethereal is a true Dutch promise!" (Aardschok on Lunacy Falls)