The band with the name Silhouette exists since 2004, at that time started by a couple of friends with passion for progressive rock music and songs that tell a story and have a soul. At that time, the band consisted of Brian de Graeve (vocals and guitars), Jos Uffing (vocals and drums), Gerrit Jan Bloemink (bass guitar), Henny van Veenendaal (Guitars) and Toine Riesewijck (keyboards). Henny left in the same year because of the long travel distance and Toine had to leave the band in 2005 due to health problems. Silhouette found a strong replacement in Erik Laan (vocals and Keyboards).
Soon it was clear there was a new chemistry in the band and although Silhouette started with only modest ambitions, it was clear that Eriks presence had brought the band to a higher level and that the musical ideas deserved an album. With a minimal budget, without a real studio to record and without a label, Silhouette released their debut album A Maze in 2007. Pleasantly surprised by the success of this debut album, Silhouette soon started to write and record the next album: Moods. Based on an autobiographical story of Brian, Silhouette could release their second album in 2009 through Progress Records, a Swedish label. This album, mixed and produced by Gerben Klazinga (Knight Area) sold even better and got very positive reviews from all over the world. In the recording process of Moods, Silhouette also got to know Aldo Adema (Seven Day Hunt, Tumble Town and Egdon Heath), who played a couple of guitar solos on the album.
In 2012 Silhouette released their third album Across the Rubicon, which meant another step in the crescendo of positive responses which the band received from all over the world. In three months time it was sold out and reached a number one position in the Progwereld charts for two months and a number one sales position in the most prominent UK Progrock website retailer. The album was co-produced by Aldo Adema, and mastered by Han Uil. Aldo again played some wonderful guitar solos on the album.
In the meantime, Silhouette also succeeded in building a track record on stage by sharing the stage with bands such as Landmarq, Saga, Credo, Focus, Knight Area, Martigan and others. Silhouette played gigs in Germany, Belgium, the UK and of course many in the Netherlands.
In 2013 Jos had left the band for personal reasons. Though the band would miss his great voice, song writing talents and humor, his place was quickly filled by Rob van Nieuwenhuijzen, who had proved his talents with his progmetal band Incidense. Rob will combine both bands for the time being. In the same year Silhouette asked guitar prodigy Daniel van der Weijde to join the band after he was spotted at the Marillion weekend in Port Zelande in March 2013, playing a version of “Splintering Heart” as a guest musician.
In 2013 and 2014 Silhouette undertook its most ambitious project so far, another concept album titled “Beyond the Seventh Wave”. It’s an album about the hunger for freedom of an innocent man convicted for life to forced labor, inspired by stories and books such as Papillion. On the album several musicians played a guest role, including keyboardist Ton Scherpenzeel (Kayak, Camel), cellist Ruben van Kruistum (Adeia), violinist Laura ten Voorde (Adeia), clarinetist Tamara van Koetsveld (Dutch Royal Airforce Orchestra) and flutist Mary O, who was also present as guest vocalist and flutist on Across the Rubicon.
During the process of recording the album GJ decided to leave Silhouette because he felt he was not able to combine the band with his work and private life anymore in a way he felt was necessary for the band at this stage. He was replaced by Jurjen Bergsma who immediately stepped in to fill the bass gaps on the remaining songs for “Beyond the Seventh Wave”. Silhouette rocks like never before.
Website: http://www.silhouetteband.nl/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silhouette.official.nl/