Christian Olde Wolbers
{{Short description|Belgian musician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Christian Olde Wolbers
| image = Christian Olde Wolbers Powerflo With Full Force 2018 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Olde Wolbers with Powerflo at With Full Force 2018
| image_upright =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1972|8|5}}
| birth_place = Antwerp, Belgium
| instrument = Bass, guitar
| genre = Heavy metal, nu metal, industrial metal, thrash metal
| occupation = Musician, record producer, songwriter
| years_active = 1987–present
| current_member_of = Powerflo
| past_member_of = Fear Factory, Beowülf, Vio-lence
| website =
}}
Christian Francis Olde Wolbers{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/310477955 |title=ACRES OF SKIN |website=ASCAP |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |access-date=November 14, 2023}} (born 5 August 1972) is a Belgian musician, record producer, and songwriter. He is the current bassist and backing vocalist of the rap metal/nu metal band Powerflo. He is also a former bassist of the thrash metal band Vio-lence and hardcore punk/crossover thrash band Beowülf, and a former bassist, guitarist and backing vocalist of the industrial metal band Fear Factory.
Musical career
Olde Wolbers was born in Antwerp, Belgium, and moved to the United States in 1993. He was asked to join Fear Factory in December 1993 as a bass player. He recorded five albums with them. The group disbanded in 2002 and when it reformed in 2003, Olde Wolbers had switched to guitar, replacing Dino Cazares.
Olde Wolbers is the only bassist that played on a Fear Factory album, as the other bassists only played live (with Dino Cazares recording the bass in the studio).
In 2003, he was offered a position of bassist in Ozzy Osbourne's solo band after he jammed with Ozzy, guitarist Zakk Wylde and drummer Mike Bordin for a few weeks.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/jason-newsted-leaves-ozzy-osbourne-is-replaced-by-rob-zombie-bassist/#mRxbZICpLbtCqUXy.99 |title=Jason Newsted Leaves Ozzy Osbourne, Is Replaced By Rob Zombie Bassist |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |date=4 December 2003 |access-date=31 May 2016}}
He eventually turned down this offer in order to fully concentrate on Fear Factory.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/fear-factory-s-christian-olde-wolbers-says-he-turned-down-ozzy-osbourne-gig/ |title=Fear Factory's Christian Olde Wolbers Says He Turned Down Ozzy Osbourne Gig |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |date=10 November 2008 |access-date=31 May 2016}}
In 2006, Olde Wolbers played three shows with Korn on their European tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guitarist-patterson-back-with-korn-after-stint-by-fear-factory-s-olde-wolbers/#1mAGFCUwv4p6tJwb.99 |title=Guitarist Patterson Back With Korn After Stint By Fear Factory's Olde Wolbers |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |date=30 May 2006 |access-date=31 May 2016}}
In 2008, he formed a new band, Burn It All,{{cite web|url=http://bravewords.com/news/ex-damageplan-frontman-promoting-new-band-burn-it-all-on-xm-radio-next-monday|title=Ex-Damageplan Frontman Promoting New Band Burn It All On XM Radio Next Monday|publisher=BraveWords.com|access-date=17 April 2008}}{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/burn-it-all-featuring-fear-factory-ex-damageplan-members-audio-samples-available/|title=Burn It All Featuring Fear Factory, Ex-Damageplan Members: Audio Samples Available|date=June 2008 |publisher=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=1 June 2018}} which also feature Raymond Herrera (drums) and former Damageplan singer/Halford guitarist Patrick Lachman. They posted a demo sampler on its MySpace page.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/burn-it-all-featuring-fear-factory-ex-damageplan-members-audio-samples-available/#9evlGP0O4JzSk6ig.99 |title=Burn It All Featuring Fear Factory, Ex Damageplan Members: Audio Samples Available |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |date=1 June 2008 |access-date=31 May 2016}}
In 2009, Olde Wolbers and drummer Raymond Herrera parted ways with Fear Factory when vocalist Burton C. Bell chose to reform Fear Factory with Dino Cazares, bassist Byron Stroud, and drummer Gene Hoglan.{{cite web |title=BLABBERMOUTH.NET – ARKAEA Featuring Ex-FEAR FACTORY Members: New Audio Samples Available |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=119024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504103443/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=119024 |archive-date=4 May 2009 }}
Olde Wolbers has a project Arkaea with fellow ex-Fear Factory drummer Raymond Herrera{{cite web|url=http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/uncategorized/fear-factory-interview-part-2/ |title=Blog Archive " Fear Factory Interview Part 2! |publisher=Metal Hammer |date=27 April 2008 |access-date=10 December 2011}} and Jon Howard and Pat Kavanagh of the band Threat Signal. On 14 July 2009, Arkaea's debut album, Years in the Darkness was released.
He also played with Beowülf and co-produced their 2011 album Jesus Freak.
In early 2014, Olde Wolbers was in a serious motorcycle accident in which he sustained severe injuries, including broken arms, legs and ribs. He conducted guitar and bass lessons on Skype to help cover his medical bills.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christian-Olde-Wolbers/281907298680?fref=ts |title=Christian Olde Wolbers |publisher=Facebook.com |access-date=31 May 2016}}
In July 2016, Olde Wolbers joined Threat Signal as their bass player on the Under Reprisal Anniversary tour.
In 2020, he joined Vio-lence as the replacement of original bassist Deen Dell, who had left the band for personal reasons.{{cite web|title=VIO-LENCE Singer SEAN KILLIAN Says New EP Will Be 'Bridge' Between First Two Albums And 1993 Demo|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/vio-lence-singer-sean-killian-says-new-ep-will-be-bridge-between-first-two-albums-and-1993-demo/|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=21 May 2020|access-date=4 September 2020}}{{cite web|title=PHIL DEMMEL Says VIO-LENCE's Newly Recorded Cover Song Should Arrive 'Pretty Soon'|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/phil-demmel-says-vio-lences-newly-recorded-cover-song-should-arrive-pretty-soon/|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=28 July 2020|access-date=4 September 2020}} He departed the band in February 2025 to focus on his solo band and production career.{{Cite web|date=February 24, 2025|title=CHRISTIAN OLDE WOLBERS Quits VIO-LENCE: 'It's Not Easy Throwing In The Towel'|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/christian-olde-wolbers-quits-vio-lence-its-not-easy-throwing-in-the-towel|access-date=February 24, 2025|website=Blabbermouth.net}}
In October 2022, Olde Wolbers was announced as the new bass player of Bloodclot,{{Cite web |last=BraveWords |title=BLOODCLOT Feat. Former CRO-MAGS Vocalist Streaming New Song "War Castles"; Former FEAR FACTORY Bassist CHRISTIAN OLDE WOLBERS Joins Band For Next Record |url=https://bravewords.com/news/bloodclot-feat-former-cro-mags-vocalist-streaming-new-song-war-castles-former-fear-factory-bassist-christian-olde-wolbers-joins-band-for-next-record |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=bravewords.com |date=20 October 2022 |language=en}} a project formed by former Cro-Mags vocalist John Joseph.
In 2023, Olde Wolbers was the touring upright bassist for Cypress Hill's live performances with the London Symphony Orchestra.{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/cypress-hill-join-london-symphony-orchestra-at-royal-albert-hall-review|title="We need to make this happen again." Cypress Hill make hip hop history with the London Symphony Orchestra (and a former member of Fear Factory) at the Royal Albert Hall|author1=Rich Hobson|date=11 July 2024|website=louder}}
= Powerflo =
{{Main|Powerflo}}
In 2017, Olde Wolbers formed a new band called Powerflo with Senen Reyes, Roy Lozano, Billy Graziadei and Fernando Schaefer. The band released their self-titled debut album the same year. Olde Wolbers is the band's bassist and backing vocalist.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/powerflo-feat-biohazard-cypress-hill-ex-fear-factory-members-resistance-lyric-video/|title=POWERFLO Feat. BIOHAZARD, CYPRESS HILL, Ex-FEAR FACTORY Members: 'Resistance' Lyric Video|date=2 May 2017|website=blabbermouth.net|access-date=10 May 2017}}
= Angst Fabrik =
In March 2025, Olde Wolbers announced that he was forming a new band named Angst Fabrik that is in the process of recording and publishing their debut studio album in 2026. The name Angst Fabrik literally translates from German to English as "Fear Factory".{{cite web | url=https://metalinjection.net/news/christian-olde-wolbers-offers-a-first-look-at-his-new-band-angst-fabrik | title=CHRISTIAN OLDE WOLBERS Offers a First Look at His New Band, ANGST FABRIK | date=5 March 2025 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/angstfabrik_bandofficial_/ | title=Instagram }}
=Guest appearances and production work=
Olde Wolbers contributed upright bass to Devin Townsend's second album Infinity in 1998. In 2006, he helped produce and mix Mnemic's third album, Passenger, and also produced Bleed the Sky's Murder the Dance and Threat Signal's debut album, Under Reprisal. In 2008, he produced End of the Rope's new album, Till It Bleeds and in 2009, Wolbers produced Years in the Darkness for Arkaea and the album Fallen Empires for Our Last Enemy. He filled in as live guitarist for Korn for the first three shows of their European tour. He appears as a guest guitar player on the EP This World by breakbeat production group The Autobots.{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/release/649499 |title=Autobots, The* – This World (Vinyl) at Discogs |publisher=Discogs.com |access-date=10 December 2011}} He produced the vocals for God Forbid's Earthsblood, co-wrote and played bass on Snoop Dogg's album Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss. He helped Cypress Hill with their rock outfit and wrote songs for their Stoned Raiders and Skull & Bones albums. He also played on two songs on Soulfly's debut in 1998. In 2017 he played bass for Isolated Antagonist for their album Oblivion.{{fact|date=December 2019}}
Sport
As a teenager, Olde Wolbers was a goalkeeper at the youth academy of Belgian professional football club Germinal Ekeren, and was the team's reserve goalkeeper for several games in the Belgian Second Division. At 17, he was suspended for having long hair and tattoos, and chose to concentrate on his music career. Olde Wolbers also played wide receiver and defensive back for the Antwerp Diamonds of the Belgian Football League.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BPsyBYmhckH/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BPsyBYmhckH |archive-date=24 December 2021 |url-access=registration|title=christian_oldewolbers Instagram |publisher=Christian Olde Wolbers }}{{cbignore}} Since moving to the United States, he has played regularly for the Los Angeles-based amateur team Hollywood United, and currently played for Angel City FC in the semi-professional Los Angeles Premier League.{{cite web|url=http://lapremierleague.com/?opt=playerinfo&pid=480&type=standings&sid=000000000004 |title=LA Premier League |publisher=LA Premier League |access-date=10 December 2011}} He is also the founder and owner of Aviata Sports,{{cite web|url=http://www.aviatasports.com/ |title=Aviata Sports |publisher=Aviata Sports |access-date=10 December 2011}} a manufacturer of goalkeeper gloves.
Discography
=With Powerflo=
;Albums
- Powerflo (2017)
- Gorilla Warfare (2024)
;Singles
- Resistance (2017)
- Victim of Circumstance (2017)
=With Beowülf=
- Jesus Freak (2011)
=With Arkaea=
- Years in the Darkness (2009)
=With Fear Factory=
- Demanufacture (1995)
- Obsolete (1998)
- Digimortal (2001)
- Archetype (2004)
- Transgression (2005)
=With Vio-lence=
- Let the World Burn (2022)
=Guest appearances=
- A.N.I.M.A.L. – Poder Latino (1998)
- Devin Townsend – Infinity (1998)
- Soulfly – Soulfly (1998)
- Cypress Hill – Skull & Bones (2000)
- Kurupt - Space Boogie: Smoke Oddessey (2000)
- Cypress Hill – Stoned Raiders (2001)
- Snoop Dogg - Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss (2002)
- Roadrunner United – The All-Star Sessions (2005)
- Threat Signal – Under Reprisal (2006)
- Isolated Antagonist – Oblivion (2017)
- S7IGMA – "Dogmatic Death" (2021)
=Production credits=
- Threat Signal – Under Reprisal (2006)
- Bleed the Sky – Murder the Dance (2007)
- Mnemic – Passenger (2007)
- End of the Rope – Till It Bleeds (2008)
- God Forbid – Earthsblood (2009)
- Our Last Enemy – Fallen Empires (2010)
- Sunflower Dead – (2011)
- Sylencer – A Lethal Dose of Truth (2012)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110711135044/http://www.guitarfxdepot.com/rigs/christian-olde-wolbers-fear-factory-guitar-rig/ Christian Olde Wolbers guitar rig] including Guitar World scan
- [https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christian-Olde-Wolbers/281907298680 Christian Olde Wolbers] at Facebook
- {{IMDb name|1625871|Christian Olde Wolbers}}
{{FearFactory}}
{{Vio-lence}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wolbers, Christian Olde}}
Category:Alternative metal bass guitarists
Category:Alternative metal guitarists
Category:American record producers
Category:Belgian bass guitarists
Category:Belgian record producers
Category:Heavy metal bass guitarists
Category:Heavy metal guitarists
Category:Hollywood United F.C. players
Category:Musicians from Antwerp
Category:Seven-string guitarists
Category:Belgian men's footballers
Category:Challenger Pro League players
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:21st-century bass guitarists