CROSSFIRE, together with MAUSOLEUM RECORDS label mates OSTROGOTH and KILLER were among Belgium's most important musical export products of the 80s. The band formed in 1980 consisted of PETER DE WINT (vocals and drums), MARC VAN CAELENBERGE (guitars), PATRICK VAN LONDERZELE (bass) and NERO NEERINCKX (second guitar). Just like every other band under the gray and dreary skies of Western Europe, various NWOBHM bands from across the channel initially inspired CROSSFIRE. PETER'S high-pitched voice, and the unconventional guitar licks produced by MARC, later helped distinguish them from the pack. CROSSFIRE made a first important impact through their appearance on the widely renowned METAL CLOGS, a compilation album of Dutch origin (what did you think?).

In 1982, after the latter was faced with some apparently unfortunate legal problems, RUDY VAN DE SYPE replaced founder member NERO. It was also decided that PETER'S vocal antics and showmanship would benefit the band more if he were not confined to his drum stool, so drummer CHRIS DE BRAUWER was also recruited. In this formation CROSSFIRE performed endlessly and landed some significant concerts, opening for - then major-acts - RAVEN and ACCEPT.

They were subsequently noticed by LEO “ROCKSTONE” FELSENSTEIN, who in 1982 was involved in the foundation of MAUOSLEUM RECORDS with ALFIE FALCKENBACH. Come 1984 LEO also went on to produce their first album: SEE YOU IN HELL, the record that would forever earn them their place in heavy metal encyclopedias not in the least because besides being a most magnificent album in its genre it also featured stunning airbrushed artwork which cost the - in those days - unheard of amount of $ 3,000, not much less than the actual recordings.

Early 1985 SECOND ATTACK, their second album, solidified their position among Europe's most exciting heavy metal bands and they were invited to perform at top festivals such as HEAVY SOUND, EARTHQUAKE and SHOCKWAVE. Contrary to many of their continental contemporaries they were also esteemed in Britain, so they also invaded her Majesty's Isles, trekking across the country on a lengthy club-tour.

The relentless touring ate into the necessary time for PETER and MARC to create new songs, and for the band to take time off to go into the studio to record a third album, so it was decided to release SHARPSHOOTER in the Winter of 1985. The album contained previously unreleased tracks, which were recorded during the sessions for SEE YOU IN HELL and SECOND ATTACK, as well as some live material from the tours, and one song which had beforehand appeared on IF IT'S LOUD WE'RE PROUD, a 12” mini-album which had also featured tracks by OSTROGOTH and KILLER.

In 1986 RUDY left the band and guitarist JACKY D'HONDT was recruited as a replacement. Later that year LIVE ATTACK was released, the live album culled from CROSSFIRE'S grand performance at the 2nd edition of the SHOCKWAVE international heavy metal festival, which had taken place on October 5th 1985 at the Limburghal in Genk, Belgium. LIVE ATTACK actually no longer appeared on the by then financially-troubled MAUOSLEUM label, but on METAL ENTERPRISES, a label belonging to INGO NOWOTNY, a close friend of ALFIE FALCKENBACH, who had in the past produced a number of acts for MAUSOLEUM. Life without the MAUSOLEUM label seemingly wasn't the same, and a short while later the band threw in the proverbial towel.

For a while, and for one album, PETER DE WINT joined OSTROGOTH, with whom he recorded their fourth and temporarily final album, the imposing FEELINGS OF FURY. He then went on to fame if not fortune first with MYSTERY, and later, especially in Germany, with a host of other prominent bands. Today he owns a recording studio in Antwerp and also regularly tours all over the world with GLENN HUGHES; bearing responsibility for the ex-Purple-one's live mix. PETER is also preparing the launch of his first, as yet untitled solo album, for which he will reinvent himself as PETER QIN, and on which he will showcase the more melodic characteristics of his considerable vocal talents.

RUDY has formed NATIVE INSTINCT; a new band, which still plays true metal, and which is also poised to unleash a first album upon heavy metal addicts worldwide. It is also known that MARC still plays guitar, and that CHRIS still pounds the drums, but it is less certain where and with whom. PATRICK and JACKY haven't been heard of by any of us for a longer spell. Fans, venues and record labels often even joining forces in order to achieve their goal have been trying to force CROSSFIRE out of retirement for a while now, but unfortunately it hasn't happened yet, the main obstacle being vocalist PETER DE WINT simply not finding the time.

WIM VANDER HAEGEN
[ROCK TRIBUNE Magazine]
with ALFIE FALCKENBACH
With thanks to RUDY VAN DE SYPE
and PETER DE WINT
March 2002