Ramses are not a new band, but they’re acting like one. The Belgian heavy metal outfit was originally formed in Aalst back in 1990 by guitarist Stefaan Lambrecht, put out their debut album “Faith in Rebirth” in 1993, and went quiet after a split in 1997. A 2016 reissue of that record brought them back into view, and by 2019 the band had officially reformed with a new lineup around Lambrecht and returning vocalist Kurt Verschelden. Since then the lineup has continued to evolve, with Marc De Veirman stepping in as frontman in 2024 after Verschelden’s departure. Now, with a full twelve-track album recorded at Rockstar Recording Studios and a lead single, “Desert Storm,” already out, Ramses are gearing up for what looks like their most ambitious release cycle in decades. We caught up with the band to talk about the comeback, the mythology, and what it takes to keep a thirty-year-old band alive.
- Welcome guys, your band has had quite the journey since 1990 but for readers who are just discovering Ramses now, how do you describe what this band is and what it’s always been about?
The group’s founder, Stefaan Lambrecht, has always been passionate about ancient Egypt and named the group Ramses (in reference to the great King Ramses II) with the aim of combining a concept with melodic heavy rock.
- Why the name Ramses? It’s a bold choice for a band from Belgium with no direct cultural connection to Egypt. Where did that come from?
The name Ramses was chosen in reference to the great King Ramses II, and although we have only our passion for Ancient Egypt, it serves as a source of inspiration for lyrics and Eastern melodies.
- Following on from that – Egyptian mythology is a very specific lane. What drew you to it as a thematic foundation? There are plenty of Belgian bands who have never once thought about the pharaohs.
Founder and guitarist Stefaan became interested in Ancient Egypt after watching a documentary on TV. He made his first trip to Egypt in May 1994 and was captivated; his passion for Ancient Egypt grew. He read books on mythology and immersed himself in Egyptology. He also met an Egyptian, Mohamed Holail, who lives in Belgium and works as a guide and Egyptologist, and has travelled to Egypt with him more than 20 times. He loves not only Ancient Egypt but also modern-day Egypt and its people. With Mohamed Holail, he travelled from Abu Simbel to Alexandria, visiting sites and monuments that ordinary tourists never see, and explored the four main deserts: the Eastern Desert, the Sinai Desert, the Western Desert and the Great Sand Sea. Egyptian nature is also a source of inspiration, such as Wadi El Hitan, Wadi El Ryan and Wadi El Natron. He stayed with local people in Diyu Al Wusta (Delta), visited mosques and the monasteries in Wadi Natroen.
- The band split in 1997 and only came back in 2019. What was the moment or conversation that made the reunion feel real rather than just a possibility?
The seed for a reunion was planted when “Lost Realm Records” released the first album + the 4 tracks from the mini-cd on the “The Secrets Of Faith In Rebirth” reissue-cd in 2016 and a new interest for Ramses was born. Still it lasted until 2019 before Ramses 2.0 was born, original guitar player Stefaan Lambrecht and the singer from the “Faith In Rebirth” CD Kurt Verschelden reunited and soon a new line-up was formed.
Guitarplayer Frank Deroubaix (ex-Axel / ex-Runaway), bass player Michel Hautier (ex-Hands Of Mercy) and drummer Kris Poelman joined the band. Later on Kris was replaced by Quinten Van Den Abbeele on drums and Kurt Verschelden left the band in April 2024. The new high priest as frontman returned with Marc De Veirman.
- The new lineup has seen a few changes since the reunion, with Marc De Veirman stepping in as frontman in 2024. How has the band’s sound or dynamic shifted with him at the helm?
Marc is our new high priest, and his return has given the group an extra boost with his powerful voice. He also believes in the Egypt concept and has become more interested in mythology and songwriting.
The new album features a track, ‘Our King is a Warrior’, which is about the Battle of Kadesh (1274 BC), a major battle between Egypt under Ramses II and the Hittites under Muwatalli II, which ended without a clear winner but led to the first known peace treaty.
- The new album was recorded at Rockstar Recording Studios and features a choir, which is not something you hear about every day. How did such elements end up on a heavy metal record?
Ramses is a concept band that incorporates Eastern melodies and features a choir and an instrument such as the xaphoon. The album contains 12 tracks, and every effort has been made to make it sound as colourful as possible, even featuring a choir and a xaphoon.We wanted to make it sound as colorful as possible.
- “Desert Storm” is the first single. What made that the right song to lead with, and how representative is it of the full album?
The track ‘Desert Storm’ was deliberately chosen as a single because it is the title track of the album and is intended to stand out amongst the many albums being released these days. What’s more, it’s a catchy track around which we were also able to create an engaging music video. The video was viewed more than 5,300 times in just a few weeks
- The album is set for 2026. Are there plans for live shows to support it, or is the focus right now on getting the record out?
The album has now been released on CD and will also be available on vinyl by the end of this month. We are, of course, promoting the album ‘Desert Storm’ with live performances in Belgium and neighbouring countries, but our dream is, naturally, to play a live show in Cairo, preferably in front of the pyramids. We are, by the way, very honoured that an Egyptian rock magazine such as yours is giving our band and the album ‘Desert Storm’ the attention they deserve.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. It’s a good moment for Ramses, and “Desert Storm” is a solid first look at what’s coming. Keep an eye on their socials and check out the music video on YouTube. The full album lands in 2026.
