Biography:
Zonderhoof is a quartet from Europe, now based in the South Wales, UK. The band is: Max Von Beek (drums), Didier Baja (guitar), Otto Kraal (bass).

Their music is instrumental, aggressive and very loud, rooted in hard rock, hardcore punk and metal with inspiration from also movie soundtracks, sound effects and electronic music.

Zonderhoof focus on delivering crushing riffs, which hook you in an instant, and then twist off into unexpected directions. They've been compared to Keelhaul, Khanate and Neurosis, but with undertones of other influences such as Breach, Melvins and Jesus Lizard. Zonderhoof released their first demo in March 2006 and followed this up with some gigs, including supporting Big Business and The Abominable Iron Sloth. By Sep 2006 they'd generated a positive response from the UK rock press and underground fanzines.

The band then set about writing new tracks for an EP release with Sound Devastation Records, and traveled to a remote part of Norway during January and February 2007 to record them live.

The band took time out from the sessions to explore the surrounding landscape of majestic fjords and rugged mountains. This intimidating environment helped them to create a spacious and sinister atmosphere for the release. Each track is a gargantuan slab of primal and unhinged metal, executed with precision and split-second spontaneity, to form a goliath of an EP.

Praise for Zonderhoof

Decibel Magazine - Apr 2008: "This is some heavy modern stoner fare. I think you’ll like it. No, I know you, you’ll really like it. All instrumental too. Yay!"

Noize Italia - Apr 2008: "Zonderhoof are lacking in nothing: violence, darkness, ancestral depth. You make it yours before it is too late."

Lords of Metal - Mar 2008: "This CD is a danger to all hedgehogs on the road, since this music makes your tires burn! (82/100)"

Cosmic Lava - Jan 2008: "I'm absolutely impressed and I want to hear more!"

Metal Hammer - Jan 2008: "Dedicated to carving out its ponderous riffs in cryptic yet captivating fashion, as it has been doing since the dawn of time. (7/10)"

StonerRock.com - Dec 2007: "Killer stoner-sludge-doom-metal hybrid with some heady atmospherics and plenty of repeat value."

Metal Rage - Dec 2007: "Any fan of instrumental heavy stoner rock and such can buy this one blindly. Trust me. (84%)"

Subba Cultcha - Nov 2007: " I suggest letting Zonderhoof put a big grin on your face."

Organ - Nov 2007 (Issue 228): "Mighty fine filthy sounding instrumental hard/math rock from deepest Wales..."

Rock Sound - Oct 2007 (Issue 101): "Organic, pile driving instrumental rock which grabs your beard with might and doesn't let go!"