Former PICTURE Guitarist Jan Bechtum Launches DIAMOND DREAMER
November 8, 2010, 14 years ago
Since one of Holland’s first metal guitarists, Jan Bechtum, left PICTURE (first Dutch metal band to get signed in 1979) at the end of 2009, he’s been searching for the right kind of musicians to form a new band.
His goal was to continue playing metal but to broaden his horizons and make a bridge between old school metal and “new school” hard rock. He now found the perfect musicians for his band, DIAMOND DREAMER (named after the same-titled classic hard rock album from 1982).
Together with guitarist Rob van Enkuizen (ex-Picture, ex-ZENITH), the lineup consists of Jacques van Oevelen (drums, also ex-Picture and ex-SAD IRON), Sander “Odie” o/d Kelder on bass (guitar/singing coach who plays in cover bands) and the exceptional voice of Martin van der Meyde (1994 finalist at the Dutch soundmixshow, projects with Bolland/Bolland and Big John Russel, cover band THE BARFLIES, as well as singer of radio and TV commercials for big companies).
Jan Bechtum states: “I finally found the right musicians to fulfil my musical dreams. Playing with Rob again was a must… we have a steady rhythm section and Martin has the voice which there are only few to be found in the hard rock circuit. We’re ready to rock wherever we can!”
The band is currently rehearsing and getting ready to play from January 2011 onwards. Plans are being made to book shows, starting with Holland and Germany.
New songs are being written and a new album is likely to be expected before the festival season of 2011.
Check out an audio sample for the track 'In Your Face' below. More on the band here.