KATE'S ACID

Serious metal scholars and greybeards who were there will certainly know the name of Belgium’s ACID. They were real pioneers and barrier breakers in European heavy metal.These roughnecks played a fast and rough style of metal that merged MOTÖRHEAD, ACCEPT and NWOBHM leanings into one of the earliest speed metal bands. More than that, they had a beguiling female voice leading the band. That voice belonged to Kate de Lombaert and along with Doro from WARLOCK she was one of the first real female metal singers. Real metal, not hard rock, punk or power pop.

ACID put out three albums in the early 80’s that have become much sought after collector’s items…”Acid”, “Maniac” and “Engine Beast”. They played shows opening for BLACK SABBATH, MANOWAR, VENOM, MOTÖRHEAD and many other acts from that time. Around 1985, the band broke up, but their legacy remained and there were quite a few fans that begged for them to reform.

Their wish was granted in 2018, but it wasn’t long before all the original members outside of Kate left the band again. She soldiered on and put together a new version called KATE’S ACID. They’ve just released a new album “Hellbender” more than 40 years after “Engine Beast” saw the light of day. How does this new crew hold up?

“Hellbender” 100% sounds like ACID remade for the modern day. The speed is there, the grittiness remains, and most importantly, Kate sounds just as good as she ever has. There was no way I was going to pass up a chance to speak to this pioneer of metal!

WORMWOOD CHRONICLES:. Greetings, Kate! It is an honor to speak with you! What was the one moment when you knew you had to bring ACID back to life?

KATE DE LOMBAERT: First of all it was never my intention to bring ACID back to life,  but Oliver Weinsheimer pushed me over the edge. In 2010 he wanted me at Keep It True to do 1 song from ACID as a surprise act, I went along with it but was not sure if I would succeed at this. To my surprise the people loved it, and that's where it all started again. 

WC:. Was it difficult putting the new band together? Was there any interest at all from the other “classic” members of ACID?

KDL: I t took me about 10 years to put a band together. At that time only the drummer from ACID was interested , so we started to rehearse but this didn't last very long. We had different views about ACID, he only wanted to do a couple of gigs, I wanted more, so I kept on searching for guys who stood behind the music and me. It was not easy but finally we had a band.

WC: Were you surprised by how the legend of ACID stayed alive over the years? Did you ever think it would last so long?

KDL: I was very surprised , I never thought that we were that important to the world.

WC: Your voice sounds amazing on the new album! Did you have to work hard to keep it in shape or is it more of a God-given talent?

KDL: I am very critical  about my voice . I am always trying to put out the best of me. In my younger years I didn't have the skills yet, and yes, I always try to put my voice in shape, practicing over and over again.

 WC: Is the chemistry with the new members similar to the old lineup? Or is it even better?

KDL: That's a difficult question. About musicians in newer days, I have the feeling they lost something on their way…in the '80’s we were more driven, there was more brotherhood, we all stood together there for the band.

Individually they are all very good musicians , but sometimes I miss the old days , it was much easier to come together , we rehearsed 2 times a week. Today you have to be lucky if you can find musicians that can spare some time, making music together. So yeah, it's different , but don't all good things go away?

WC:“Hellbender” sounds very much like classic ACID redone for the modern day, with a lot of speed and grit. Are the songs relatively recent or have they been on your mind for many years?

KDL: The songs from “Hellbender” are all brand new, the basic riffs were made by Geert Annys and me (2 old fashioned rockers ) , T-bone did most of the lyrics, Also our new drummer Ash wrote some lyrics… it took us +- 1 year to complete it,  

WC: You were one of the very first women to front an all-out metal band, along with Doro. Do you think you got enough credit for being a pioneer for female metal vocalists?

KDL: This was never my intention to be a pioneer in metal. In those days I was just one of the guys, haha, but when times go by, you become a pioneer  

WC: In the years that ACID was on the shelf, did you keep busy in the music world or did other things take importance?

KDL: I was always involved in music, always kept on singing, but in reality we need to pay the bills, (one has to work for the money) so music was not an option to survive.

 WC: You were also one of the first really hard bands from Belgium. Have newer Belgian bands paid tribute to you?

KDL: Yes, there were a couple of younger Belgian bands who covered songs from ACID  ,  that’s always nice to hear.

WC: I think VENOM had a very early show opening for ACID. That had to be pretty wild! What do you remember of it?

KDL: We did the warming up for VENOM. Yes, it was wild for sure and I 'm also remembering, we had a full moon that night, that made it special for me. 

WC: Do you have a favorite track from the new album, one that maybe means more to you?

KDL: They are all special, I cannot choose, it's all depending on the mood I'm in.

WC: What are live plans for the band? Any chance of playing in the US?

KDL: I'm hoping it's possible to do some concerts in Europe. Sorry; but for the moment, no shows in the  USA, it's too expensive and too difficult to organize.

WC: If you could have dinner with any 3 people from history, who would they be?

KDL: Ronnie James Dio, Freddy Mercury, Etta James.

WC:Who were some of the musicians who inspired you to play hard music?

KDL: I grew up with Blues Rock and Rock and Roll.  A lot of musicians are still inspiring me… for example, Gary Moore, Robert Plant, Ronnie James Dio, Ian Gillan, Ozzy Osbourne, Biff Byford, Rob Hallford, Freddy Mercury, David Gilmore, Bon Scott , Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel,  Joe Bonamassa , Brian Connelly and an endless lot more.

As you can see, I have a weakness for good singers and good Guitar players. 

WC: In the history of ACID, did you ever have a Spinal Tap moment where things went crazy that you could share with us?

KDL: I remember one gig , our explosives were way too heavy… windows broke,  pieces of the ceilling and spotlights came down. As a result, in the future we were forbidden to use explosives.

WC: Any last words for the fans?

KDL: Enjoy the new album and maybe I will see you somewhere on the road! 

KEEP ON ROCKING! 

KATE'S ACID