Trace is a Dutch progressive rock band founded by Rick van der Linden after leaving Ekseption.
In 1973 after releasing their album entitled Trinity, the members of the band Ekseption asked Rick van der Linden to leave the band. At this time Ekseption were quite famous which led Philips, their record-company, to give van der Linden the opportunity to find a new band. In January 1974 van der Linden started rehearsals with Peter de Leeuwe, who had been playing drums with Ekseption before. The pair split up again soon after, since van der Linden considered de Leeuwe to lack in skill. De Leeuwe was replaced in February by Pierre van der Linden, who had left Focus in 1973. To complete the trio, Rick finally asked Jaap van Eick, a self-taught musician considered to be one of the best Dutch bass players, to join the band.
On the 9th September 1974 the trio released their first, self-titled album.
Their second album, Birds was released on 1st January 1975, and featured future Marillion drummer Ian Mosley.