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Johan van Stratum

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Johan van Stratum
Van Stratum in 2015
Van Stratum in 2015
Background information
Born (1982-04-15) 15 April 1982 (age 42)
Netherlands
GenresProgressive metal, gothic metal, progressive rock
OccupationBassist
Years active1990s–present

Johan van Stratum (born 15 April 1982) is a Dutch bassist and a member of the progressive metal band VUUR.

He was the bassist of Stream of Passion, and one of the two founding members to stay in the band until it disbanded in 2016. He also played bass live for Ayreon and The Gentle Storm. In July 2021 he was announced as the bass player of German power metal band Blind Guardian.[1]

Career

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Van Stratum started music at age 14 by singing, before being pushed to play bass by his friends.[2][3] His first instrument was a brandless bass guitar brought for 50 euros.[2] He considers his biggest influences Tim Commerford of Rage Against the Machine, Chris Wolstenholme of Muse, and Reginald Arvizu of Korn.[2]

His first band No Problem was with future After Forever member and Stream of Passion collaborator Joost van den Broek, with whom he studied music.[2][3] He also used to teach bass guitar.[2]

Arjen Anthony Lucassen formed Stream of Passion in 2005, with a line-up including Van Stratum on bass.[4] The band released their debut album Embrace the Storm in 2005, with Lucassen acting as composer and Marcela Bovio as lyricist.[4]

After several years of touring and the release of the live album Live in the Real World, several members of Stream of Passion chose to leave the band, including Lucassen, who had decided to leave to band to continue on its own. As the result, Van Stratum, Bovio and Van den Broek shared songwriting duties on their three subsequent studio albums: The Flame Within in 2009, Darker Days in 2011, and A War of Our Own in 2014.[5][6][7][8][9] A War of Our Own was produced and released independently, and funded via the crowdfunding site Indiegogo.[10]

In April 2016, the band announced via Facebook that they would be separating at the end of the year, stating "Over the past eleven years we've had the time of our lives playing in stages all over the world and sharing moments of joy on stage. But all good things come to an end, and we feel it's time to move on and search for new musical challenges. We're proud of everything we've achieved, with your help, and we want to end the band history on a high note instead of losing focus, interest and drive. Before parting ways as a band we will perform a few goodbye shows; we also want to record a DVD to serve as a memento of the good times we've had. [...] Once again, we'd like to express our eternal gratitude for the support you've given us all these years. All of us will continue to make music, one way or the other; so we still hope to see you soon on a stage near you. Thank you for being part of the wonderful adventure that has been Stream of Passion!"[11]

The band released a live album entitled Memento later that year, and performed their final show on 28 December 2016.

In 2016, Anneke van Giersbergen created the band VUUR, and chose Van Stratum, whom she had worked with as a part of The Gentle Storm, as bass guitarist.[12][13] He was featured on the band's first album, In This Moment We Are Free – Cities, released on 2017.[14][15]

Personal life

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Van Startum with future wife Marcela Bovio in 2006

Van Startum has been in a relationship with Marcela Bovio, another founding member of Stream of Passion (and later his bandmate in VUUR)

Discography

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Stream of Passion

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VUUR

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Blind Guardian

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As a guest

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References

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  1. ^ Ra, Vahe. "BLIND GUARDIAN announces Johan van Stratum as their new bass player". Arrow Lords Of Metal. Arrow. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Modus Operandi: Johan van Stratum". Anusaya. 2 February 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Johan van Stratum interview". Anusaya. 2 February 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Stream of Passion interview". Lords of Metal. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  5. ^ Hartranft, Craig (31 May 2009). "Stream of Passion: The Flame Within". Dangerdog Music Reviews. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  6. ^ Moose, Joey (30 June 2009). "Stream of Passion – The Flame Within review". Metal Storm. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  7. ^ "Interview with Marcela Bovio [Stream of Passion]". 18 December 2012.
  8. ^ Eley, Danielle (18 December 2012). "Interview with Marcela Bovio [Stream of Passion]". Valkyrian Music. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  9. ^ Mampuys, Ruth. "STREAM OF PASSION – Finances new CD via Indiegogo". Reflections of Darkness. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  10. ^ "New Stream of Passion full length album". Indiegogo. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  11. ^ "Stream of Passion". www.facebook.com.
  12. ^ "Former THE GATHERING Frontwoman ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN Launches New Band VUUR". Blabbermouth.net. 1 December 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  13. ^ Scott, Munro (2 December 2016). "Anneke Van Giersbergen announces new band Vuur". TeamRock. TeamRock. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  14. ^ "Anneke van Giersbergen's VUUR Reveal New Album Details; Snippets Of All Songs Streaming". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 4 August 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  15. ^ "Ex-THE GATHERING Vocalist ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN's VUUR: Debut Album Details Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 4 August 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  16. ^ "Stream Of Passion – New Album Details – Metal Storm". www.metalstorm.ee.
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