BATTERING RAM

Biography
The origins of BATTERING RAM go back to 1982, when
guitarist Eddy 'The Vampire' Scheire and drummer Walter
'The Hammer' Baeyens started to jam together. In fact,
both of them had just bought their instruments … In
those early days they just tried to cover tunes by some of
their favourite bands, such as IRON MAIDEN (The Number
Of The Beast), JUDAS PRIEST (Diamonds And Rust) and
SAXON (747 – Strangers In The Night).

A couple of weeks later Eddy and Walter were joined by

guitarist Dirk 'Crazy Horse' Parmentier, who had just
bought his first electric guitar. The trio still weren't
thinking of forming a real band in those days : having fun
and covering some of their favourite songs in rehearsal
was satisfactory. In those days BATTERING RAM
rehearsed in the cellar of drummer Walter's parents'
house in Schellebelle. Much to their dismay … Eventually
the first original riffs were born, but due to the fact that
there was no vocalist, nor bassist at hand, it wasn't easy
to create real songs.

In early 1983 Patrick Minnebier (ex MEPHISTO) joined on

bass. Although Patrick wouldn't last very long : the fact
that the band was still in search of a vocalist, combined
with having to drive all the way to band rehearsals on a
moped, rain or shine, made Patrick lose motivation pretty
soon. He would later surface in BLACK SHEPHERD.

Later on in 1983 rookie vocalist Jo 'The Butcher' Luyckx entered the fold,
and the band started to write songs for good. The Omen was the very first,
followed by Power Of Evil and Sorceress. Walter and Jo were responsible
for the lyrics (all within the realm of hell and witchcraft), while Eddy came
up with the majority of the musical ideas.

In 1984 a suitable bassist was found at last, in form of Wim 'Harris' Gerolt.
BATTERING RAM was Wim's first band, but once he was on board the
band was able to complete their already written songs at last. And new
songs were being written as well : Black Knight, Behind The Styx, I Came
For You, … Other songs that the band wrote and performed live over the
years, but never recorded, nor released properly, included the likes of Acid
Rain, AIDS, I'm Back and Instrumental. Besides, BATTERING RAM also
performed a cover version of AC/DC's Whole Lotta Rosie live, as well as
their version of Als Moeder Zong, originally by Belgian singer / comedian
Urbanus Van Anus.

Most of 1985 was spent in the rehearsal room, while the band was also
awaiting their first gig proposals. Besides, both Walter and Jo were
fulfilling their military service at the time. Coincidently they were hooked
up together in Germany …

Fast forward to July 19th of 1986, when BATTERING RAM played their
maiden gig at Zaal Patronaat in Uitbergen. As this was part of a 'mixed
styles concert' to coincide with the 15th anniversary of Jeugdkring Waar,
four other local, non-metal bands were on the line-up that particular night
as well : THE HATE CREW, GOLDRUSH, THE OBSESSION and
STATSKIRIELJA. According to Eddy Scheire, one of the other bands
failed to show up that particular day, although he couldn't remember which
one exactly. This first live experience really inspired the band and plans to
record a first demo were already being made as a result.

Unfortunately guitarist Dirk Parmentier had to leave the band around that
time as well, due to his studies. Little is known of what has become of
Dirk ever after, as far as music is concerned. Fact is that he did reunite
with Eddy Scheire in cover band GLAMOUR GLASSES for a 'Free
Podium' gig in Ghent on March 16th 1989. Drummer on that occasion was
Dirk Six, while the bassist's name hasn't survived the test of time. On that
occasion GLAMOUR GLASSES performed the likes of More Than A
Feeling (BOSTON), Since You Been Gone (RAINBOW), The Final
Countdown (Europe), I'm Okay (STYX) but also BATTERING RAM's I
Came For You.

During the second half of March 1987 BATTERING RAM recorded its
first demo at last. Breaking Through The Main Gate was recorded at the
Top studio in Sint-Amandsberg, near Ghent, on March 15th and 22nd,
with Fernand Buyle at the helm. The band had heard good things about
Top studio and simply contacted them. And Fernand was a piece of the
furniture that came along with the studio …
On August 29th 1987 BATTERING RAM played live at De
Drie Zwaantjes in Oostakker, together with SHELL SHOCK.
On that occasion they met Bart 'Crusader' Schaillée, a
guitarist that had been in a couple of bands before, and
who expressed the desire to join the ranks of BATTERING
RAM. An offer that was accepted with open arms, and
which turned out to be an excellent move, as Bart was
more influenced by the likes of ANTHRAX, MEGADETH and
METALLICA, and had plenty of original ideas. As a result
the band soon started to write a bunch of new songs.

On April 30th 1988 BATTERING RAM played at 't

Haezepad in Oudenaarde, together with AXEL and SHELL
SHOCK. Up next were two shows in Holland. On May 6th
1988 the band ventured off to the Bar Americain in
Middelburg. And the next day they played at the Image
Club in Terneuzen. Support act on that occasion was THE
OBSESSION, although they didn't show up in the end.

During the summer of 1988 the band was dreaming of

recording a full-length BATTERING RAM LP, although
nothing was ever concrete. The band didn't have the
financial means at the time, and no label ever approached
them either. Later on in 1988 vocalist Jo Luyckx left the
band and was soon replaced by Alex Fifi, whose roots
were more in Punk music. As a matter of fact he used to
sing for THE OBSESSION prior to joining BATTERING RAM.

During the second half of 1988 guitarist Eddy Scheire had

also started a side-project, a metal cover band called the
METAL FOR ALL BAND, in which he joined forces with
vocalist Guy De Graeve (TARGET), drummer Christ
Braems (TARGET), guitarist Hans Putteman (ALBION, ex
TRIAL), bassist Gerrit Van Bellingen (ALBION, ex
ENFORCER), guitarist Stef Hermans (HANDS OF MERCY)
and vocalist Pat D'Hauwe (HANDS OF MERCY). Rehearsals
for the METAL FOR ALL BAND were at TARGET's practice
spot in Balegem, near Zottegem.

The METAL FOR ALL BAND proceeded to play live at 't

Jagershof in Kester (alongside AXEL, LODGER and HANDS
OF MERCY) on January 14th 1989. And on February 25th
1989 the METAL FOR ALL BAND invaded the T-Klub in
Lokeren. On that occasion the band performed the likes of
Here I Go Again (WHITESNAKE), Ain't Talking 'Bout Love
(VAN HALEN), Because The Night (KEEL), Whole Lotta
Rosie (AC/DC), Some Kinda Wonderful (GRAND FUNK
RAILROAD), Born To Be Wild (STEPPENWOLF), Rainbow
In The Dark (DIO), Twilight Zone (GOLDEN EARRING),
Strong Arm Of The Law (SAXON), Doctor, Doctor (UFO)
and Fight For Your Right (BEASTIE BOYS), but also
HANDS OF MERCY's We'll Meet Again. Plus a Rock 'n' Roll
version of Kleine Café Aan De Haven, as well as a medley
of Dutch Carnival classics. HELLFIRE guitarist Tony De
Block was the sound engineer on that occasion, and he
even joined the band on stage for a couple of songs.
Shortly after this second gig the METAL FOR ALL BAND fell
apart again already, due to internal differences.
Anyway, on March 31st 1989 the new BATTERING RAM
line-up played live for the first time, at the Alcatraz in
Ghent, once again together with SHELL SHOCK. And on
July 8th and 9th 1989 BATTERING RAM recorded their
second demo, Intruder. Once again at Top studio in
Ghent, with Fernand Buyle in command.

On October 21st 1989 BATTERING RAM travelled to

Holland once more, to Jeugdhuis OJC in Capelle a/d Yssel.
And on November 25th 1989 the T-Klub in Lokeren was
home for BATTERING RAM. As fate would have it, this
turned out to be the last BATTERING RAM gig, as the band
ceased to exist soon after. One of the reasons being that
guitarist Bart was encountering some serious personal
problems at the time. Besides, drummer Walter was
getting married …

Neither guitarist Bart Schaillée nor drummer Walter

Baeyens joined any other bands afterwards. Bassist Wim
Gerolt was part of a band called KILIMANJARO (who are
said to combine authentic African instruments with
modern Western sounds) earlier on this century. Alex Fifi
was active in a band named CRUMB in the 1990's and
these days he is the vocalist for Power rock combo
INTERFEAR.

In the summer of 2002 Eddy Scheire was contacted by

Greg Varsamis of Eat Metal Records, based out of Athens,
Greece. Greg had heard Breaking Through The Main Gate
and expressed a desire to release a limited edition
BATTERING RAM single, including two songs off that first
demo, on his label.

As the original master tapes of Breaking Through The

Main Gate were no longer at hand, Eddy had to select the
best sounding tape version to supply to the record
company. A cover needed to be designed as well. The end
result, courtesy of Greece's RAGING STORM bassist Harry
Boudamour, is clearly influenced by the band's second
demo cover, but it ties in perfectly with the title of the
first as well. The Power Of Evil / I Came For You 7'' finally
saw the light of day in 2004. Limited to just 500
handnumbered copies, and including an insert with the
lyrics and a short biography.

As a trivia note it's worth knowing that Greg Varsamis

and a couple of Greek friends attended Mausoleum
Records' 20th anniversary concert (including CROSSFIRE,
KILLER and OSTROGOTH) at Biebob in Vosselaar on May
10th 2002. Former BATTERING RAM members Eddy, Jo
and Walter were present as well on that occasion. So, in
fact Greg, Eddy, Jo and Walter were in the same room
together back then already, without knowing each other.
In fact, they've never met in person ever after …

As a result of some favourable reviews of the 7'' Eddy

Scheire was toying around with the idea to re-activate
BATTERING RAM at long last. Eddy soon contacted former
drummer Walter Baeyens, whom he had always remained
in touch with over the years. Eddy suggested to record a
concept mCD in the symphonic power metal vein. An idea
that was met with great approval on Walter's side, and he
started to create the story and write the lyrics right away.

Initially the Atlantis : Remembrance Of A Lost Future mCD

was set for an October 2006 release. A deadline that has
been pushed ahead several times now, due to various
unforseen circumstances, including the search for a
vocalist. Latest news is that BATTERING RAM's line-up
has been complete again since the spring of 2007 and
reads as follows : original members Eddy Scheire
(guitars) and Walter Baeyens (drums), plus Peruan
guitarist Juan Carlos Galdos (ex DISTORSION), Chilean
bassist Alejandro Oneto (ex PZICOTROPICOS) and
vocalist Kurt Verschelden (ex HELLFIRE, ex RAMSES).

Kurt is the latest addition to the band. As a matter of fact

Kurt and Eddy Scheire used to play together in RAMSES in
the 1990's. Eddy joined the band shortly after their Faith
In Rebirth CD (1993) was recorded. He also played
keyboards on the Secrets mCD (1998), but by that time
Kurt had left RAMSES already. In fact, RAMSES called it a
day soon after the release of Secrets.

Rehearsals with this new BATTERING RAM constellation

have already started and the band intends to complete
the mCD recordings from mid August 2007 onwards. And
hopefully Atlantis : Remembrance Of A Lost Future will
finally be out next November. Live gigs are expected to
follow as well.

Apart from vocalist Kurt, all other members of the current

BATTERING RAM line-up are also part of a Gothic Metal
band called IN DARKNESS I DWELL.

Discography
1987 : Breaking Through The Main Gate (demo) {Power
Of Evil, Behind The Styx, I Came For You, Black Knight,
Condemned To The Gallow}

1989 : Intruder (demo) {Killing Fields, One More Beer,

Towerghost, Fighters From Shaolin}

2004 : Power Of Evil / I Came For You (7", Eat Metal)

{note : limited to 500 handnumbered copies}

2008 : Atlantis : Remembrance Of A Lost Future (mCD,

Battering Ram) {The Sea - The Primordial Paradise, The
Cloudy Skies, The Secret Chambers, The Lost Future – The
Remembrance}
{note : this mCD was never properly released, but the
songs are available for free download on the band’s
website (www.battering-ram.net)}

2008 : Back Through The Main Gate (LP, High Roller /

Metaleros) {Power Of Evil, Behind The Styx, I Came For
You, Black Knight, Condemned To The Gallow, Killing
Fields, One More Beer, Towerghost, Fighters From
Shaolin}
{note : limited handnumbered edition of 500 copies - 400
on black vinyl & 100 on red vinyl}
 Consulted people
Eddy Scheire

Related links
BATTERING RAM official website

IN DARKNESS I DWELL official website

IN DARKNESS I DWELL on myspace.com

EAT METAL RECORDS website

First posted
July 4th 2007

Latest adjustment
December 1st 2009

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