Shitstorm

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Shitstorm" by Vandenberg from their 2020 album, and this track is a high-octane rocker that’s got the Zoo Freaks buzzing. According to a review on Metal Planet Music, "Shitstorm" kicks off with a deceptively gentle intro, featuring soft vocals and guitar alongside a light tap on the drum rims, before exploding into a full-throttle anthem with Ronnie Romero’s commanding voice declaring, “We’re riding in a shitstorm!” The song’s dynamic shift captures the band’s knack for blending classic rock vibes with modern energy, making it a standout for live performances. In a 2020 interview with HEAVY Magazine, Adrian Vandenberg described the track as having an intro that “builds to a kick-ass tune,” designed to grab listeners and not let go. Fans on Vandenberg’s official Facebook page have echoed this, with posts calling it a “crowd-pleaser” that channels the raw power of their ’80s roots.

Another tidbit about "Shitstorm" comes from its production, helmed by Bob Marlette, who gave the 2020 album a contemporary edge while preserving Vandenberg’s signature sound. A review on My Global Mind noted the song’s “thumping, call-to-action” energy, suggesting it’s tailor-made for headbanging Zoo Freaks. Adrian Vandenberg himself shared on Instagram that the track was written with Ronnie Romero’s vocal prowess in mind, aiming to evoke the intensity of their live shows. The song’s title, while bold, reflects the band’s unapologetic attitude, with a POWERMETAL.de review comparing its bluesy undertones to Whitesnake’s prime, a nod to Vandenberg’s time with that band. Fans in the Vandenberg Fan Club Facebook group have shared stories of cranking "Shitstorm" at parties, dubbing it the perfect anthem for letting loose.

Vandenberg was born from the vision of Dutch guitarist Adrian Vandenberg, whose journey in music began in the late 1970s. Hailing from Amsterdam, Adrian started playing guitar as a teenager, inspired by rock legends like Jimi Hendrix and Cream. In 1981, he formed the band after a stint with his earlier group, Teaser, which included vocalist Jos Veldhuizen, bassist Peter Van Eyk, and drummer Bico De Gooijer. A demo recorded by this early lineup caught the ear of journalist Kees Baars, who became their manager and secured a deal with Atlantic Records. The band, then consisting of Adrian, vocalist Bert Heerink, bassist Dick Kemper, and drummer Jos Zoomer, recorded their self-titled debut at Jimmy Page’s Sol Studios in England. Released in 1982, the album spawned the hit single “Burning Heart,” which climbed to No. 39 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, cementing Vandenberg’s place in the hard rock scene.

The band’s early years were marked by relentless touring, sharing stages with Ozzy Osbourne, KISS, and Rush across the U.S., Europe, and Japan. After three albums—Vandenberg (1982), Heading for a Storm (1983), and Alibi (1985)—Adrian joined Whitesnake in 1987, contributing the iconic solo to their No. 1 hit “Here I Go Again.” He spent over a decade with Whitesnake, later forming Manic Eden and Vandenberg’s MoonKings before reviving Vandenberg in 2020 with a new lineup featuring Ronnie Romero, Koen Herfst, and Randy van der Elsen. You can keep up with the band on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather at sites like Encyclopaedia Metallum and the Vandenberg Fan Club Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks can connect and share their love for the band’s legacy.