Knight Area was founded in 2004 by Gerben Klazinga. That year he released the album ‘The Sun Also Rises’, for which he wrote all the music, and to which contributed numerous musicians. The album became a worldwide success and was followed by live performances in the United States (NEARfest) and other leading progressive rock venues in Europe.

The second album ‘Under A New Sign’ appeared in 2007. Also this album received excellent reviews both on national level and abroad. The promotional tour took the band again to the United States and European Festivals and venues.

In 2009, the concept album ‘Realm of Shadows’ was released. The live recording of the cd presentation appeared in 2010 as the double live album ‘Rising Signs From The Shadows’.

The fourth studio album ‘Nine Paths’ appeared one year later. The album was mixed and mastered by the famous Neil Kernon and Alan Douchess respectively. Delain lead singer Charlotte Wessels contributed to the album. Knight Area promoted also this album by doing a short tour in the USA.

In 2012 Mark Bogert joined the band, followed by Peter Vink (ex Q65, Finch, Ayreon) in the beginning of 2013. With these newcomers the band received a heavier, fuller sound, which can be clearly heard on the EP ‘Between Two Steps’ which was released in September 2013.

On October 14, 2014 the band released the fifth album “Hyperdrive”. The album has been mixed by Joost van den Broek (After Forever, Ayreon, Star One among others). Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Ayreon, Star One) contributed to the album by playing guitar on one track.

In April 2015 the band for the first time played in Poland as support for Arena (UK). The concert in Katowice on April 9the is recorded by Metal Mind Productions and released on dvd in September 2015.

In 2016 the band finishes recording the sixth studio album “Heaven and Beyond”. This album is released in February 2017 on cd and on vinyl.

In 2018 Mark Smit and Knight Area separate ways and Jan Willem Ketelaers is his successor as the lead singer of Knight Area.

In 2019 Knight Area will be recording a new album, the album’s theme is D-Day.

Style of Music

Knight Area plays rock music, with roots in symphonic and neo-progressive rock. The music blends a variety of styles using very melodic keyboards and guitars and the dynamic songs vary from ballads to more rock and metal kind of music. A short introduction video can be found on YouTube.

Main Achievements

2003 Release of 1st album: The Sun Also Rises
2004 First live appearance in Holland
2005 Knight Area played at NEARfest, USA, Knight Area played main sympho/progrock stages in Holland, Belgium and France
2006 First appearance in Germany
2007 Release of 2nd album: Under A New Sign (nominated for several Prog Awards in Italy), US appearance in Greensboro and several gigs in Europe
2008 First UK appearance and successful gigs at main festivals in Germany (Loreley, Night of the Progs) and Canada (FMPM, Montreal)
2009 Release of 3rd album: Realm of Shadows. Appearance on main festivals like ProgPower Europe, Prockfest and the Classic Rock Society Octoberfest (UK)
2010 Release of 4rd album: Rising Signs From The Shadows, recorded at CD-release in Alpen ad Rijn (NL). Appearance on Slottsskogen festival (Sweden)
2011 Appearance on iO Pages festival (The Netherlands) and ProgSud (France). Release of 4th album: Nine Paths
2012 Tour in USA (east coast). Rewarded with the IO-pages Award
2013 Release of EP ‘Between Two Steps’. Appearance on festivals like Rock ITtervoort en Progmotion Festival (The Netherlands)
2014 Release of 5th album: Hyperdrive, CD-release show with HeKz and Distorted Harmony
2015 Visited Poland for the first time as support of Arena (UK). Recorded first official dvd Hyperlive on April 9th in Katowice.
2017 Release of the 6th album: Heaven and Beyond.

Line-up

Jan Willem Ketelaers – Vocals
Gerben Klazinga – Keyboards
Pieter van Hoorn – Drums
Peter Vink – Bass guitars
Mark Bogert – Guitars