"Cardinal is a Hard Rock formation from Belgium inspired by early Rock music. By combining the influences from the golden age of Rock ‘n Roll with modern and inspiring ideas, they bring back Hard Rock to the people."

Lucca Sprengers (Vocals) / Anton Mergaerts (Guitar, Vocals) / Robin Huysmans (Guitar) / Guus Wellekens (Bass) / Jakob Huyghe (Drums)

Cardinal was founded in late 2019 by Robin Huysmans, Guus Wellekens and Anton Mergaerts. After their previous project came to an end, they decided to take a different turn. Thanks to their common love for guitars and extreme music, it was obvious what Cardinal was supposed to be: Everything hard, heavy and rock ‘n roll.

Cardinal Anno 2021
Jakob, ARTKOM, 2019

In September 2019, Anton contacted drummer and old high school friend Jakob Huyghe. After only one rehearsal it was clear as day that Jakob was the right person for the gig.

Just three months later, on the 9th of december 2019, Cardinal organized their debut-show in ARTKOM in Leuven, Belgium. Together with the opening act and the numerous crowd, they raised the roof.

But the fairy tale was short-lived. Shortly after the outbreak of the pandemic, the then singer decided to focus on his other band. As a result, Cardinal started looking for a new frontman. After months of searching, they found a perfect fit in childhood friend Lucca Sprengers. In september of 2020, Cardinal’s current lineup was complete.

Lucca, Klinker, 2021
Cardinal at Cristal Open Air, Aarschot, 2021

After one and a half year of writing and rehearsals, on the 24th of july 2021, Cardinal got the chance to release their music to the people and played Cristal Open Air.

Later that year, on the 31st october, they got to be opening act for the German hard rockers of Victory.

In december of 2021, Cardinal took to renowned DAFT Studios in Malmedy to record their first EP. Four months later, on april 8th of 2022, their first single “Nightflyer’ saw the light of day. Their EP ‘I’ was released on the third of June, 2022.

Cardinal in DAFT Studios, 2021