Pestilence announces line-up change with new guitarist

Max Blok (Alkaloid, Dark Fortress) has joined dutch death metal legends PESTILENCE as their second, full-time lead guitarist after the departure of Rutger van Noordenburg. The band is currently working on its tenth studio album, “Portals”, expected to be released in June on Agonia Records. 

Rutger van Noordenburg has been with PESTILENCE from 2019 to 2025. During that time, he recorded one full-length album with the band – 2021’s “Exitivm” – and the best-of album, 2024’s “Levels Of Perception”. His playthrough for the song “Deificvs” can be watched here.

On his departure, Rutger van Noordenburg comments:

“Dear all, my time with Pestilence has come to an end. It is time for new musical adventures. I would like to thank the guys in the band and the management, especially Patrick for his awesome high speed train I was able to board for the last 6 years. We played countless shows in many countries and I feel very fortunate for all the memories created, all the friends made and all the fans out there. It has simply been an amazing experience being welcomed by fans and friends around the globe and experiencing it all with a great bunch of guys.”

Rutger‘s duties will be taken over by Max Blok of Alkaloid and Dark Fortress fame. Max comments:

“Stoked to share that I’m now part of Pestilence. Big thanks to Patrick, Michiel and Roel for having me in the band. I’m eager to explore the new paths ahead and see what the future holds.” 

Patrick Mameli adds:

“We are very exited to announce, that Max Blok is taking over the second (lead) guitar spot in Pestilence. Wow, that went fast and smooth. Now, back to business: Portals, our upcoming album, is targeted for June 2025.”

PESTILENCE was established in the Netherlands in 1986 and is considered to be a genre-defying, progressive death metal phenom, who paved the way alongside Death, Cynic and Atheist. The group is led by founder, guitarist and mastermind Patrick Mameli, who’s been the band’s binding factor through two breakups and reunions. Both a reinvention and a confirmation of everything the band has been standing for since 1986, PESTILENCE is more than ever breaking new grounds and exploring the further outposts of extreme metal on “Exitivm” (2021) – their last album, which landed on several Billboard charts, most notably including Billboard 200. In recent years, the band remastered & reissued its classic catalog (feat. “Mallevs Maleficarvm”, “Consvming Impvlse”, “Testimony Of The Ancients” and “Spheres”), released a re-recorded best-of album “Levels Of Perception”, and announced “Portals” to be the title of its next studio album, which is nearing its completion.

Upcoming shows:
19.04.25. BA – Sarajevo, Eternal Flame Festival
26.06.25. DE – Homberg, Miso Open Air
10.08.25. BE – Kortrijk, Alcatraz Festival
19.09.25. DE – Schrobenhausen, Metal Im Void

Line-up:
Patrick Mameli – vocals and lead guitars 
Michiel van der Plicht – drums
Max Blok – lead guitars
Roel Käller – bass