Donor - Release (Deluxe Edition) - CD

Formed in Amsterdam in early-1986, DONOR started playing shows even prior to their debut six-song demo of thrash-leaning heavy metal in 1988. Core members Jelle Bakker (guitar), Cees van Petten (bass), and Toni van Petten (drums) then brought in guitarist Bart Vreken and vocalist Ard van Bers to solidify the lineup prior to contributing two exclusive tracks to the Metal in Rocks Volume II compilation in 1989; followed by the seven-song Inexplicable Knowledge demo in 1990. 1992 would then see the release of the increasingly taut and crunchy full-length, Triangle of the Lost, through Mausoleum Records. Unsatisfied with shifts in DONOR's musical direction, frontman Ard van Bers decided to exit the band during the summer of 1993. Enter newcomer Richard Dijkman, a perfect fit for the group's evolving sound, which fused subtly progressive thrash roots with a mid-paced, grunge-inflected tonality fitting of the time period. Despite adapting with the industry, however, DONOR was unable to settle into a proper footing amidst the scene—a struggle common for so many metal acts during the mid-'90s—and decided to call it a day before the end of 1995. Nearly 30 years later, Divebomb Records is pleased to reissue Release for the very first time. Completely remastered by Jamie King Audio, this deluxe edition CD adds to the 10-song album six bonus tracks—amongst them several rare live recordings such as an early version of "Release" (called "Derailed" at the time) with Ard on vocals, and an Ard/Richard duet on "When the Valkyries Ride" from 1995—packaged with a 16-page booklet loaded with photos, lyrics, restored/enhanced original cover art and a retrospective interview with the band. For the fans, by the fans!