Vitamin X

For the slang term "Vitamin X" referring to the recreational drug, see methylenedioxymethamphetamine.
Vitamin X

Marc Emmerik and Alex Koutsman performing live at Mainz concert, Germany in August 2007
Background information
Origin Amsterdam, Netherlands
Genres Hardcore punk, thrashcore, Bandana thrash
Years active 1997–present
Labels Havoc Records, Tankcrimes, Thrashbastard, AgiPunk
Website Official website
Members Marko Korac
Marc Emmerik
Alex Koutsman
Danny
Past members Wolfi[1]
Wimmy "Zero" Koster
Johan X[2]
Eric[3]

Vitamin X[4] or VX is a hardcore punk and thrashcore band from Amsterdam, Netherlands that was formed in 1997. They are named as one of the best and most important hardcore punk bands going.[5] Their unique sound is characterized by furious hardcore punk mixed with turbo-charged thrash, 1970s rock riffage and wild guitar solos. The members are straight edge but this does not reflect their lyrics or music. Their current line-up consists of four members: Marko Korac (vocals), Alex Koutsman (bass guitar), Danny (drums), and Marc Emmerik (songwriter, guitar).

Known for their witty socio-political lyrical themes and energetic live performances, the band recorded several seminal full-length albums and singles on various international labels, including US label Havoc Records (Kylesa, Wolfbrigade, Fucked Up, From Ashes Rise, etc.). The band has completed multiple tours of North America, South America, Europe, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Mexico, and Russia. In 2001 and 2004 they played CBGB's, New York to a sold-out crowd.[6] At a 2006 MTV live studio performance in Brasil a riot broke out after the band smashed their instruments.[7]

Their 2008 album Full Scale Assault was recorded in Chicago by Steve Albini, famous for recording Nirvana, Iggy Pop and The Stooges, Led Zeppelins Page and Plant, Neurosis, etc. Featuring a guest appearance by Negative Approach singer John Brannon and artwork by John Baizley of Baroness. It received critical acclaim from publications such as Metal Maniacs, Maximumrocknroll, Profane Existence, Suburban Voice, Exclaim!,[8] and many more, several of them naming it as one of the best hardcore punk albums of 2008/2009.

In 2012 they released the album About to Crack, also recorded by Steve Albini and artwork by John Baizley.

Besides touring around the world the band plays for 10.000s of people on some of the biggest heavy music festivals. They headlined Czech Republic's Fluff Fest several times, as well as Obscene Extreme, Resist To Exist, and many more. In 2012 they play Europe's biggest 'extreme music festival' Hellfest featuring acts such as Ozzy Osbourne, Megadeth, Guns n Roses but also punk acts like GBH, Discharge, Tragedy and Refused. In 2013 they were among the headliners of the Baltimore Soundstage at Maryland Deathfest, the biggest fest of its kind in North America, playing together with Infest, The Melvins, Carcass, Venom, Pentagram. After playing at 2014's Temples Fest in Bristol they again played Hellfest in 2015 with Motörhead, Billy Idol, ZZ Top, Judas Priest, and Alice Cooper.

Discography

Studio Albums

EP's

They have also released multiple "best of" collections and discography tapes, mainly for overseas tours.

Members

Former members

References

  1. ↑ "Vitamin X Profile". Discogs. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
  2. ↑ Once Upon a Time... 7" EP Sleeve
  3. ↑ -II-
  4. ↑ Not to be confused with roots reggae band
  5. ↑ Profane Existence Magazine - review of Full Scale Assault
  6. ↑ CBGB Show Archive
  7. ↑ Profane Existence Magazine - Interview
  8. ↑ Exclaim! review
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