Trail of Tears

Trail of Tears began in 1997, up until then some of the bandmembers had spent a couple of years experimenting under the name of Natt. After carving out their musical direction, the name Trail of Tears was instituted in the beginning of 1997 and a 3 track demotape entitled "When Silence Cries..." was recorded shortly after in Jailhouse Studio to great acclaim. The demo prompted a spew of contractual offers from labels around the world and in early 1998 the band signed a two-album deal with Dutch label DSFA Records. Trail of Tears once again entered Jailhouse Studio in Norway to record their debut album "Disclosure in Red", which saw the light of day in November 1998. Heavy touring followed, including European tours and shows with among others Tristania, The Sins of thy Beloved, Cradle of Filth, Biohazard and several other bands. The touring cyclus was crowned with a victorious performance at Holland´s Dynamo Open Air festival.

Immidiately after, the band started work on the follow-up album and having spent the latter part of 1999 crafting the songs, they entered Jailhouse Studio to record "Profoundemonium", which was licensed to Napalm Records outside of the Benelux countries and released in 2000. The band continues to stay active on the touring circuit, completing several European rounds and performing at festivals such as Wacken Open Air, Quart Festival, Eurorock and Metal Dayz to name but a few.

In the summer of 2001, the band signs a 3 album deal with Austria´s Napalm Records, entering Soundsuite Studio in Marseille, France with producer Terje Refsnes in February 2002. The band records nine tracks, as well as a cover of Faith No More´s "Caffeine" for the limited edition version of the monstrous and highly successful third album, "A New Dimension of Might". A very busy touring schedule starts, including full tours and numerous shows in Europe, as well as the first full Mexican tour in June 2003.

Having spent over a year on the song-writing process for the fourth album, the band opted for a heavier and more extreme approach which can clearly be heard on "Free Fall into Fear", which is released in February 2005 by Napalm Records. The effort was recorded in Dub Studio in Kristiansand, Norway and to promote the album the band completed a very successful tour with Therion and Tristania which took the band to 14 European countries. The band also hits the festival circuit again, playing among others Germany´s Summer Breeze festival.

It did not take long until the band resumed work on their song-writing and almost 12 months were spent crafting what was to become the most mature and adventurous album to date, "Existentia". The album saw Trail of Tears once again returning to Soundsuite Studio with producer Terje Refsnes in the summer of 2006.

The album features guest performances by Norwegian keyboard wizzard Bernt Moen and the amazing French singer Emmanuelle Zoldan. Prior to the release, the band embarks on the second Mexican tour, an experience which was unfortunately ridden with problems due to severe neglect from promoters and organizer. As a result, founding member Ronny Thorsen found himself in need of replacing members and putting together a new line-up.

"Existentia" is released by Napalm Records in January 2007 to much acclaim and overwhelming reviews. The band follows up with further touring, most importantly with their first ever North American tour, playing nearly 30 shows across the US as well as Canada. Summer 2008 also sees the band playing more festivals then ever before, including among others Wave Gothik Treffen and Metal Mania Open Air.

In between destroying stages across the globe, the band continues to write material for what is to become their sixth fullenght album. With new-found energy, power and a whole new level of self-confidence, the band heads down to Southern France to join forces with Terje Refsnes again at his Soundsuite Studio, and six weeks are spent recording the monster that is "Bloodstained Endurance". The album sees the band on a completely different level both regarding song-writing and performance and the band is more eager than ever before to present the material in the environment which they enjoy the most, namely from the stage!

Download :
Bloodstained endurance (2009) : Part 1, Part 2
Free Fall Into Fear (2005)
A new dimension of Might (2002)

Rain Fell Within

Rain Fell Within was a symphonic metal band from Virginia, United States.They are known for their atmospheric sound with female soprano lead vocals.

Rain Fell Within was formed in October, 1996 by vocalist Dawn Desiree, Kevin Thomas. Guitarist Charles Gore, William Rucke and John Brown under the name In Medias Res. Their original sound was a mixture of heavy metal and new age with symphonic elements. After refining their sound they released a four-track demo called Rain Fell Within-Live ‘97. In March 1998, after changing their name to Rain Fell Within, they released a demo called Solemn Days. With the release of their demo, the band started gaining worldwide attention and began performing in local venues.

In November 1998, William and John would quit Rain Fell Within over disagreements with the direction the band was heading. With new drummer Tim Miller joining in December, Rain Fell Withins sound further evolved. In early 1999, the band was invited to open for the Gathering on their first US tour. Jason would play guitar live during this tour. In June 1999 Rain Fell Within released a five-track EP called Believe.

In 2002, Rain Fell Within disbanded with the members going their separate ways. The majority of the members went on to form the progressive metal band Ephemeral Sun.

Download :
Believe (2000)
Refuge (2002)

Tystnaden

It was probably the fascination for scandinavian heavy metal such as that played by Dark Tranquillity, In Flames and Sentenced and their innovative albums like "The Gallery", "Down" and "Whoracle", which, in 1998, impressed three young Italian musicians so much that they gave their band a Swedish name. Ironically Tystnaden means something like "quiet". But Marco Di Castri (bass), Cesare Codispoti (guitar) and Nestor Borgo (drums) had anything but quiet music in their minds when they wrote their first songs. Whilst they were on holiday at the coast they met the young guitarist Frederico Grassi and, together with singer Giovanni Garimoldi they were able to complete their first line-up in the first year of Tystnaden's existence.

During 1999 Tystnaden were able to develop their style more and more and they soon expressed a wish to give some contrast to the raw male vocals by introducing a melodic, female voice. A young lady with the musical name of Laura De Luca soon proved herself to be the ideal person and her wonderfully powerful voice soon enriched the band's sound palette and giving it an additional dimension. Spurred on by this, Tystnaden recorded their first two track demo, "Tystnaden" in May 2000 and sent it out into the big wide world. The echo from the press all around the world was astounding. They had successfully taken their first step...

Kingfisher Sky

In 2001 Ivar de Graaf made one of the toughest decisions of his life: he decided to leave the successful Dutch band Within Temptation to concentrate on his own music.
Together with singer Judith Rijnveld he explored a way to combine both their influences into songs that didn't bound themselves to a specified genre or style. With influences like Porcupine Tree and Kate Bush, but also Classical singers as Cecilia Bartoli and traditional Folk music in their mind they started recording songs in their home studio in 2005.

When they finished seven songs they approached Suburban Records. Judith and Ivar signed the deal in november 2006. Eric Hoogendoorn was the first member to join the band playing the bass guitar. In January 2007 Daan Janzing was introduced to Ivar and Judith by Ruud Jolie, (Ivar's former colleague from Within Temptation). After a short audition on guitar Daan joined Kingfisher Sky. In March George van Olffen joined the band on keys. Because of the beautiful solo in the song 'Through my Eyes' on the demo and his 15-year old friendship with Ivar, Edo van der Kolk completed Kingfisher Sky.

In May 2007 the band Kingfisher Sky recorded their first album 'Hallway of Dreams' produced by Jochem Jacobs (Textures) and Bouke Visser (Split Second Sound). Kingfisher Sky's debutalbum 'Hallway of Dreams' was released in Oktober 2007 by Suburban Records. Suburban Records introduced Kingfisher Sky to SOZ Concerts and they started headlining in The Netherlands..

Via Mistica

Chapter I - Nice Beginning

      It was one winter evening, when Marcin picked up the phone. Astonished, he heard nice voice of a female: 'Hi, I'm calling for the advertisement. Are you still looking for a vocalist?' Of course yes, we've always dreamed about it.

      Katarzyna proved she's not only the good vocalist, but a great cello player too and she's been writing texts and melodies. She gave a new face to the group and her beautiful voice exactly filled out our music. When Katarzyna joined the group, VIA MISTICA was born.

      In a short time we made some songs and after three months of playing together, we tried us out on the Bialostocka Wiosna Muzyczna '98 music enterprise. It was a really challenge and test for us, and it was our debut. Jury appreciated our music while giving a chance to play in the finish of the party. After that, full of enthusiasm, we came back into our cellar, where we recorded first demo. In the meantime we played some concerts in Biaystok and neighborhood. We made a lot of followers and adherents, and we get listeners' goodwill. After 6 months we changed the drummer. Our second player - although fist he was really co-operative - he left after month. Since then, black clouds has hanged up above our heads. VIA MISTICA lost its stabilization, because the group's lineup was changing once a week. In one year we had o lot of drummers, bassist, even a keyboardist. It's hard to remember, it was too many people here. Instead go ahead, the group stopped and was standing while teaching new people our old numbers. No understanding between the group's members, arguments and atmosphere, in what we fell, made us completely broken and discouraged to do anything. But buy the way there was born an idea to record the stuff in a studio. We started working. Our friend - Sebastian from IN EXTREMIS group - played drums. Working with the material was about 2 months. In May we came into the Hertz studio to recapitulate our activity and to mature as musicians. Recording the material to CD 'In Hora Mortis Nostre' took us 4 days of a deadly toil. All stresses was efficacious taken away by Wojtek and Sawek, owners of the studio. After the recording session we had to stop working in the studio because of reason stricte economic, so we made a little interruption for making some money. This time Katarzyna has got married, so we all had fun at the wedding. In August we came back to the Hertz studio, to finish what we has begun. All that what we did was pretty good, although we could work harder with some things.

      In September, a drummer joined us and remained. It caused new possibilities. We started really hard working again. The revival of VIA MISTICA came. We send 'In Hora...' demo to different publishers and we've just made a contract with MORBID NOIZZ PROD. What will be next? We're sure it will be only better...

Chapter II - Usual Reality

      Since making a contract with Morbid Noizz, lots of time has flown. After revival period, if we talk about concerts, it means winter and spring 2000, there was some interruption. First advantages of co-operating with Morbid Noizz were playing at the Castle Party in Bolków and interview posted in Morbid Noizz Mag. Appearance in Bolków has been first (and, so far, last) so big enterprise we've been to. It was noted favorably. Since October we've started working with first VIA MISTICA's studio CD. But, unfortunately, if we talk about recording studio CDs ( or maybe if we talk about co-operating with Morbid Noizz ) everything's going so slowly...

      After appearance at the Castle Party in 2000, we've played only one concert. The enterprise was at the 2nd December and then VIA MISTICA first time appeared in 6-people lineup. The new member of the group was Grzesiek, the keyboardist. First he came just for a one concert, but he remained and became an official VM member. But in December we've got lineup changing again - Jacek Bartnicki, a founder of the group and co-composer, left us. Instead him, Marek Przybyowski, from STYGMAT group, became our guitarist. Since January - with new VIA MISTICA members - we've started working at the recording stuff for the first CD.

Tacere

Tacere originally started as the solo project of front man Karri Knuuttila in the early 2000s.
A real band line-up and the name TACERE first appeared in 2002/2003, but the band was still
lead by just male vocals. After hiring Helena Haaparanta as the female singer in 2004 Tacere
got it's first stable line-up. The band put out a plethora of demos until in 2005 they were picked
up by a Finnish record label "Suomen Musiikki Oy / SM-Records" - a company ran by Kari
Hynninen a well known music mogul who has discovered and worked with talents such as
Apocalyptica and Amorphis in the metal scene, and several Finnish platinum artist on the pop
scene.

The band released it's first mini-CD "A Voice in the dark" in November 2006 reaching a top-10
chart position in Finland. Followed by nearly half a year of recording and a lot of other work
the band then finally released their debut album "Beautiful Darkness" in Scandinavia March
2007. Later during the same year releases followed for example in Russia, the CIS-states, Japan
and Thailand. The album was produced together by Karri Knuuttila and producer guru Anssi
Kippo (Children of Bodom etc.) and it received a great response from both the fans and critics.
In Japan the album got an especially good response and achieved remarkable sales to be a
debut album of an unknown metal band. Later on the band parted ways with the record label
"Suomen Musiikki" in early 2008..

Aesma Daeva

"Upon the lake, upon the windless water,
swim down to me, beautiful bird.
Mercy, stay not forever out of reach.
I hear, I hear your evening song, strange alien song."
-- "The Loon"
With accomplished musicians working in the symphonic terrain, Aesma Daeva draws from a rich background of 20th century music, world music, and rock instincts. As you listen, imagine and move.
Most audiences were introduced to A.D. with the songs "Stay" and "Introit II," both of which appear on several European compilations, including Orkus Magazine: Best of and Diva X Machina.
Following the band's first release, A.D. played Festival Obscuro in Mexico City, opening for H.I.M. and Tristania. They've also shared the stage with Nightwish, Kamelot and Therion. This fall, the band will reunite with Therion to tour the U.S. and Canada.
A.D.'s current lineup came to together in 2005, with Lori Lewis's versatile, classically trained voice at the forefront, Chris Quinn on bass, John Prassas on guitar, Earl Root on guitar, and Tim Klatt on drums. With this power lineup, A.D. was ready to record a new album but needed to reach a new level compared with the first release. A.D. was vigilant and stayed true to this goal. After enlisting Grammy award-winning producer Neil Kernon, the album Dawn of the New Athens was completed.
Dawn of the New Athens is a symphonic poem that journeys across the globe and the temporal realm, from the Tisza River in Hungary to a dark and timely Orwellian world.
"The meek and low christen the kingdom's coming,
building the great machines of war.
Men feed machines this century of dark
coming of the hour of the kingdom of night."
--"Since the Machine"
World instruments such as the bawu (a Chinese wind instrument) are blended with a symphonic metal backdrop, bringing a wealth of musical cultures together. Songs like "Artemis" showcase the bawu in its melancholic sound, emphasizing the lyrics of independence.
"In your name, cruel sacrifice,
embrace my art. Love let me go.
In your name, cruel goddess touch,
embrace this song, the wind, thy womb.
I don't need anyone.
I don't love anyone.
Embrace the art of letting go."
--"Artemis"
The idyllic beauty of nature provides inspiration for both "Tisza's Child" and the lament cried by the woman who has lost her lifelong mate in "The Loon." The seasons are particularly influential for the band: "The colors of fall are inspiring, and I find myself re-creating those colors in the music," says Prassas, original founder of the group.
"Bluish Shade" was inspired by the struggle that is very much part of a musician's life and the idea that "music chooses you." "I once read 'Our destinies are self-fulfilling prophecies; the energy you transmit via your music will be returned to you amplified," says Prassas. "However, the ability to control the course of our specific destiny is questionable. The entire band agrees that we really would have liked a different course at times."

Magica

Magica started in February 2002 as a project of Bogdan Costea, directly with the recordings for the 1st album “The Scroll of Stone” (having more of a demo purpose). After 2 months of intense work, the material was ready! 12 power melodic heavy metal songs, in the vein of Rhapsody, Nightwish, and Helloween, which show the high potential of the band. After the songs were ready Bogdan recruited the members of the band.
The second album, “Lightseeker”, has been launched in October 2004 in France through Underclass Music .
Magica’s first video, “Bittersweet Nightshade”, was ready on February 10, 2005. Magica has been featured in the famous “Metallian” and “Rock Hard Magazine”.
In 2006 the band had the pleasure of touring Europe opening for After Forever and Nightmare, Apocalyptica and Leaves Eyes .

The third album is called Hereafter and was recorded in the autumn of 2006 but due to label change, it was released at 19 October 2007 via AFM Records Germany. 2 videos were shot for this album, ” All waters have the colour of drowning” and “Entangled”.
In November 2007 Ana was invited to take part in the huge Hellish Rock tour alongside Helloween, Gamma Ray and Axxis for 3 months of intense touring . It was a unforgetable experience. Check out the tourreport.

2008 was the year of the “Wolves and witches” album.
2010 brings a brand new studio work, intitled “Dark Diary” . A lot more production efforts are thrown into this release and the band can’t wait to go on the road and play the songs live.


today Magica is :

Ana Mladinovici - vocals,
Bogdan Costea - guitar,
Hertz - drums,
Sorin Vlad - bass,
6fingers - keys

Download
Lightseeker : Click Here

Whyzdom

The Whyzdom project started in early 2007. Vynce Leff, more known in the progressive area, for producing several albums signed on the british label CYCLOPS RECORDS (bands : Saens, Sensitive To Light), decided to start a new metal band with symphonic elements. After auditioning many singers to fit the particular sound of the first compositions, he meets Telya, a young singer/actress, fond of metal and symphonic music as well as theater. Finding the rest of the band happens very quickly, since Vynce has many contacts among other bands he collaborated with : Regis Morin and Tristan Demurger join WHYZDOM in February, then Nico Chaumeaux (a talented drumming teacher) and Marc Ruhlmann. Anthony Lopez takes care of the sound engineering.

Many contacts are then enthusiasted by the first demo. Among them, VULTUS Creations, FLORENT CUAZ (alias CORTEZ77) and GHISLAINE PUJOL, come to our help, working for the visual aspect of the project. That’s why, thanks to VULTUS and the CHATEAU DE CULAN, it is decided to shoot a first video clip with a great and fantastic crew.

Download 
From The Brink Of Infinity (2009) : Click Here

Mandrake

There are several bands bearing the name Mandrake;

1) Mandrake, Gothic Metal band from Germany:

The German Band Mandrake was brought to life by Lutz de Putter in the wastelands of northern germany (“Ostfriesland”) in the late 90`s. In 1998, the self-produced album Forever was recorded, presenting the band as a mixture of slow death-metal and elements of the gothic-scene. Female vocals were rare and sung by a guest-vocalist. In 1999, Birgit Lau joined the band and her part became bigger and bigger. After several demos, in 2003, Mandrake signed a contract with the label Greyfall/Prophecy Productions.

The label-debut Calm the Seas was released at the end of 2003. For the first time, this record presents the current line-up with Garvin Bösch on Bass-guitar and Jörg Uken on drums. Live-keyboarder Julius Martinek also became a full member, but soon prefered electric guitars.

The music of Mandrake is voluptuous, sometimes epic, sometimes fragile, supported by “real” strings, low guitars and powered by pounding drums. Above all, the significant voice of Birgit. Lyrics and music often deal with the forces of nature, especially water, and the desire to reach distant shores and galaxies.

The term mandrake (mandragora) is taken from a poisonous plant which is a symbol for spiritual and supernatural powers.

2) Mandrake was an obscure progressive rock band from Japan. The band was formed in the mid-seventies by Susumu Hirasawa as one of the pioneers of native original progressive rock music in Japan.

Download 
MANDRAKE – The Balance Of Blue (2005) : Click Here 
Bonus CD :
01.: A Poet’s Serenade
02.: Who’s That Girl
03.: Pictures Of You
04.: Stay
05.: Fade To Black (Metallica Cover)
Download : Click Here

Denia

Biography

DENIA is a side project to the band "NO LIFE AFTER LOVE" originally formed by Joey Denia (Songwritter) Maria Jose Erena (vocals) and Mario Infantes (Massakre Zombie, God Bless Us) in early 2009. In mid 2009 the band released their first LP called "No Life After Love" composed of 18 tracks and almost 80 minutes of music. The album was produced by Joey Denia and Jacky Roads in Hardleywood Records. . The fact that our first cd this consists of 18 tracks is the result of a compulsive need to create songs to express in a more visceral, our environment, our difficulties ... In fact, this project was born out of a traumatic experience. Soon you will know the new members of Denia. Currently, and while everything flows, the band doesn..t compose and are in full recording of their new album whose release date is scheduled for early / mid 2010. Denia.

Download
No Life After Love : Click Here

Beseech

Borås, Sweden (1992 – 2006)

A Swedish gothic metal/rock band, Beseech started out in Borås (near Gothenburg) in 1992, and after creating a demo, they became involved with the underground scene. In 1995, they recorded their first album, …From a Bleeding Heart, but due to the label having financial problems, it was not released until 1998, under the label of Metal Blade. In mid-2000, they released their second album, Black Emotions, and from that point, their career took off. The next albums, Souls Highway (2002) and Drama (2004) showed that the line-up changes affected the music in a way that many liked and others criticized. In 2005, they released Sunless Days, probably their most mature album.

In autumn of 2006, the band announced that Beseech would be put to rest for good: “We have grown apart from each other as persons and we have different views of how we want Beseech to work as a band.”

In 2007, Beseech’s Web site announced that their members had formed two new bands: The Mary Major, which contains 6 out of the 7 band members, and Those We Don’t Speak Of, with the remaining band member.

Download 
Souls Highway (2002) : Click Here

Draconian

There are multiple artists with this name:

1) Draconian is a Swedish gothic doom metal band, formed in Säffle, Sweden in 1994. The band consists of Anders Jacobsson (vocals, writing), Lisa Johansson (vocals), Johan Ericson (guitars, writing), Jerry Torstensson (drums, percussion), Daniel Arvidsson (guitars), Fredrik Johansson (bass), and Andreas Karlsson (keyboards, programming). They produce songs with atmospheric, melodic, and emotive characteristics.

In May of 1994, drummer and vocalist Johan Ericson, bassist and vocalist Jesper Stolpe and guitarist Andy Hindenäs assembled the band Kerberos, initially playing melodic death metal with black metal influences. Seven months later, lead vocalist and lyrics composer Anders Jacobsson joined the band, and its name changed to Draconian.

Their first demo — Shades of a Lost Moon — was recorded in October 1995, a week subsequent to their first live concert. The demo counted with flutist and vocalist Jessica Eriksson, keyboardist and vocalist Susanne Arvidsson and with a special participation of Andreas Haag on the introductory section of “My Nemesis”. The album was released in February, 1996. The band was then joined by guitatist Magnus Bergström.

No recording contract was obtained with Shades of a Lost Moon, so in early 1997 the band proceeded to record their second demo, entitled In Glorious Victory. The band, however, became discontent with the quality of the recording and discontinued the release.

Download 
Where Lovers Mourn (2003) : Click Here

Mortal Love

Biography

Mortal Love is a Norwegian metal band which is currently signed to Massacre Records. Their sound makes combined use of soprano and tenor vocals, whilst placing emphasis on a consistent rhythm section with heavy guitars, piano and synthesizer melodies. Their first three releases, which lyrically dealt with love and failed relationships, were composed as a trilogy, as can be observed from combining the titles of the albums (All the Beauty, I Have Lost and Forever Will Be Gone). The band released the final album of the trilogy on 22 September 2006. On their website, they have announced the band is currently writing songs for a new album which might be released in 2010.

Download
Forever Will Be Gone : Click Here 
All The Beauty : Click Here

Elis

Biography

Elis is a symphonic gothic metal band from Vaduz,Liechtenstein. formed in 2003 after the split of Erben der Schöpfung in 2002. The band currently consists of Sandra Schleret (clean vocals), Pete Streit (guitars), Chris Gruber (guitars), Tom Saxer (bass, harsh vocals), and Max Naescher (drums). Former members include Sabine Dünser, Franco Koller, René Marxer, and Jürgen Broger.

Elis began their musical career under the name Erben der Schöpfung in 2000. In 2001, they released their first single “Elis” as well as their debut album “Twilight”. The band has appeared live at the Wave Gotik Festival in Leipzig, among others, has held on to favorable positioning on the DAC-Charts, and has remained well represented in the scene’s press. Germany’s Orkus Magazine, for example, featured Erben der Schöpfung as their top newcomer act of the month. This choice was later more than confirmed by the publications readership, who extended the honor by choosing the band as their Newcomer of 2001.

Following their split with Oliver Falk, the band re-emerged in 2003 under the new alias Elis. Produced at Mastersound Studio by Alexander Krull (Atrocity, Leaves’ Eyes), “God’s Silence, Devil’s Temptation” was simultaneously released on Napalm Records with the re-release of Erben der Schöpfung’s 2001 debut, “Twilight”.

Official Site :  http://www.elis.li 

Download 
Griefshire (2006) : Click Here
Dark Clouds in a Perfect Sky (2004) : Click Here

Leaves Eyes

Leaves’ Eyes, the name in itself has quite a musical ring to it. And it comes as no surprise that the world’s most international band attracts all the attention in 2009. With their latest album “Njord”, the sextet revolving around Liv Kristine defends its position as the number one presence within the symphonic Gothic Rock/Metal genre.
On “Njord”, Leaves’ Eyes finally opens a new chapter in Nordic mythology. With this new masterpiece, they are able to prove to what extent they have found their own style and developed it to perfection. In 2009, Leaves’ Eyes present themselves rocking, up-to-date, sweeping, and free of all genre conventions.

As made evident by the debut album “Lovelorn” (2004), Leaves’ Eyes came into being during a walk in the woods. The musicians are able to convert nature’s impressions into music in an incomparable way. Thorsten Bauer and Mathias Röderer established an exceptional guitar sound with the first album that has been a band trademark ever since. However, it is Liv Kristine’s unique voice that serves as the linchpin in Leaves’ Eyes. On “Lovelorn”, Liv sings about a magical world filled with mermaids, love and tragedy. With this concept album, the band not only enthralls the ears, but in particular the imagination of the listener. The members of Leaves’ Eyes do not merely write songs, their music tells of sagas and legends. Like no other newcomer band, Leaves’ Eyes received exceptional feedback and coverage from the press (including interviews and cover stories). The fanbase continued to grow within a matter of weeks until the numbers filled the hall of the Wave Gotik Treffen 2004, celebrating the band’s stage premier....

Tristania - Rubicon (2010)

Track List:

01.: Year Of The Rat (4:35)
02.: Protection (4:15)
03.: Patriot Games (3:27)
04.: The Passing (4:48)
05.: Exile (4:26)
06.: Sirens (4:27)
07.: The Emerald Piper (3:06)
08.: Vulture (3:43)
09.: Amnesia (4:54)
10.: Magical Fix (4:20)
11.: Illumination (8:13)

Download : Click Here

Flag Of Hate

Flag Of Hate is the band's gothic / metal from South Jakarta. Formed in March 2006. By the early formation, Wild (The beast Growl / Scream), Adie (The Rhythm 6 string), C'dick (The Low 4 Strings) and Popo (The Beat) by genre Dark / Nu Metal. But several months later, because in a sense there is less sound. Flag Of Hate then decided to recruit Mizthree (The Keys / Female Voice) to add elements of synth sounds, piano, strings and weird effects and Thobenk (The Lead 6 Strings) to add the element of melody. With this formation, Flag Of Hate successfully won several band festival in Jakarta. But at the end of 2007, Thobenk decided to quit because of busy life in college. Guitar positions were replaced by Popo and Drum position replaced by Jeppy (Compatriot) that makes sound Flag Of Hate to be the more quickly follow the beat of the bass drum. At this point Flag Of Hate decide to change the genre into Gothic / Metal. With the growing breadth of influence of each personnel, is created masterpieces such as the Tale from the Dark Side, Eternal Madness, Diantara Kegelapan and Flag Of Hate song other songs.......

Dreamer

Dreamer is a Jakarta, Indonesia based metal act formed in 1998. The initial line-up consists of Yani (vocals, guitar), Akay (bass) and Totok (drums). They were playing melodic death metal that heavily influenced by Scandinavian metal giants such as Amorphis, In Flames, Children of Bodom, among others. On early 2000, a high talented lead singer, Rika along with Tribowo (keyboards) and Kiki (guitar) came aboard. Dreamer switched its musical direction into Heavy Metal since then. It has more influences from early metal heroes such as Iron Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth and some symphonic doom metal acts like Nightwish, Within Temptation, Lacuna Coil as well. Under the flag of heavy metal's new inception, they started to travel around the domestic cities performing their darkened beautiful music to as many people as they can. Dreamer always has a horrendous response in every show due to their energetic and very communicative performance. And so they got a high record release demand from the fans...

Tarja Turunen

Biography

The brightest star of the Finnish rock scene, the soprano singer Tarja Turunen has in a short time become one of the most well-known Finnish faces in the world of music. Turunen, who was born in the city of Kitee, Finland, started her musical studies at the age of six, and moved to study classical singing at the age 18 at the Sibelius Academy of Kuopio city. At the same time Tarja's classmate Tuomas Holopainen was starting his acoustical project, and invited Turunen to join the band. Tarja said yes to the invitation, and thus Nightwish was born. The band's first demo-tape was enough to get them a recording deal with Spinefarm Records. Shortly after signing the band in 1997 Spinefarm released their debut album "Angels Fall First", a masterpiece mixing modern metal music with operatic, classical vocals.... At the time, Tarja was joining the Savonlinna Opera Festival Choir where she performed Wagner and Verdi among others. It was the beginning as well for Tarja Turunen to establish a career that compromises two different kind of music and a long way to go until the audience in general has accepted this fact. The debut was followed in 1998 by Nightwish's breakthrough album, the platinum selling "Oceanborn", which contained such hit songs as "Sleeping Sun" and a cover version of the main theme of the "Snowman"-animation, "Walking in the Air". "Oceanborn" took the band to the stage in Finland and abroad, and Tarja's unbelievable stage charisma instantly made her the number one singer favourite of metal fans all over the world. Tarja’s face has been illustrating magazines from all over the world. Just to mention some of them we need to come with an amazing list from several countries like Norway, Germany, Spain, Brazil, France, Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands, Finland and Argentina. Scream Magazine, Roadie crew, Inferno, Rumba, Sue, Metallian, Blue wings (Finnair), Iltalehti (novedadespaper), Metal Hammer, Rock Hard, Metal Heart, Aardschok, Epopeya, Rock Brigade, Heavy Oder Was!?, Hell Awaits, Flash, Legacy Magazine, Orkus, Rock Tribune, Close Up Magazine, Hard N’Heavy, Maelmströn....

Lacuna Coil

2010
* JANUARY 29TH THE "SHALLOW LIFE EUROPEAN TOUR" FINALLY STARTS, SIX WEEKS AROUND EUROPE SUPPORTED BY DOMMIN. DIRTY LITTLE RABBITS HAVE BEEN WITH US ONLY FOR THE U.K. SHOWS. THIS HAS BEEN OUR FIRST TOUR WITHOUT OUR BASS PLAYER MARCO THAT HAS BEEN FORCED TO STAY HOME BECAUSE INJURED ON A SHOULDER.
* A DELUXE EDITION OF "SHALLOW LIFE" HAS BEEN RELEASED WITH A LOT OF BONUS MATERIAL.
* OUR SONG "I WON'T TELL YOU" CRACKS THE TOP 40 ACTIVE ROCK RADIO CHART IN THE U.S. AND IS STILL GOING STRONG.....

Amberian Dawn

Biography

Amberian Dawn is a Finnish metal band which combines bravely many different kinds of styles in their music with high skilled playing. During their existence, Amberian Dawn has honed their trademark sound with expert precision, making highly polished albums of symphonic metal that are sure to be heralded as future classics by fans of the genre.

Delain

Band Info

Although originally envisioned by Martijn Westerholt as a musical project featuring a host of guest musicians, due to the high demand for live performances a real band was formed. This lead to the Roadrunner release of Delain's debut album 'Lucidity' in 2006. The group of musicians quickly transformed into a solid rocking force. Now Delain is nothing less than a real band. A versatile band with an impressive new album called April Rain...
..........

Sirenia

Band Info

SIRENIA was formed by Morten Veland in january 2001. Morten's musical work was already well known through his work with his former band Tristania, a band he co-founded back in the mid nineties. Being the main songwriter for this band he was a part of defining the gothic metal sound from a very early time on. With SIRENIA his intention was to bring everything to the next level, a task he succeeded to fulfil. Up to date SIRENIA has released 3 albums and an EP, their latest work 'Nine Destinies and a Downfall' made it to the charts in 6 countries, receiving great reviews worldwide......

Tristania

Biography

Tristania was founded 1996 in Stavanger, Norway by Einar Moen (keyboards), Morten Veland (vocals/guitar), and Kenneth Olsson (drums). A few weeks later Anders Høyvik Hidle (guitars/vocals) and Rune Østerhus (bass) joined the band. In May 1997 the band entered the studio for the first time and recorded their demo in Klepp Lydstudio. Vibeke Stene was initially recruited as a guest singer for the demo recording, but she later joined as a regular member. During the summer of 1997 different labels showed interest in the demo.Tristania signed with Napalm Records and released the EP Tristania.
Tristania's first full length album, Widow's Weeds, was recorded at the end of 1997 and released early 1998. The album is symphonic metal with elements from a large variety of genres including gothic metal, death metal, classical music, and black metal. Two guest performers who were involved in Widow's Weeds would later get more prominent roles on Tristania’s albums; singer Østen Bergøy (who would later become a full band member) and violinist Pete Johansen.......

Edenbridge

Biography

1998

... Edenbridge was founded as a studio-project by guitarist / keyboarder Lanvall, bassist Kurt Bednarsky and vocalist Sabine Edelsbacher. By the entry of drummer Roland Navratil the line-up was completed for the production of their debutalbum Sunrise In Eden.

1999

... the recording of Sunrise In Eden took place in the Seagull Music Studio of sound magician Gandalf. In the same year Edenbridge signed a worldwide deal with the German label Massacre Records....

Epica

Biography


Ever since EPICA emerged on the scene, the band has been caught in a whirlwind of studio recordings, interviews, screaming fans, world wide live performances and the rock 'n roll lifestyle. The loss of both a record company and a drummer in 2006 seemed to have stopped the band on their rise to the top. But all is not what it seems. EPICA is back with a mighty new album called 'The Divine Conspiracy', an exiting new chapter in the history of the band.

The Dutch female fronted symphonic metal band EPICA was founded in 2002. Mark Jansen had left After Forever to pursue his own dreams and found that guitar player Ad Sluijter, bass player Yves Huts and keyboard and piano player Coen Janssen shared his vision. Drummer Jeroen Simons and singer Simone Simons completed the band. The band name is derived from an album of Kamelot of whom several band members are big fans and musically EPICA stands out by not only taking influences from the world of rock and (symphonic) metal, but also from film music as composed by the likes of Danny Elfman and Hans Zimmer.....

Darkwell

Darkwell is the name of a gothic metal band from Innsbruck, Austria. Formed in 1999 by bassist Roland Wurzer and guitarist Roman Wiencke.
Solitude drowns our souls – hearts are freezing, longing für warmth – despair covers everything – suddenly: a small red glooming flame breaks through the darkness, awakes us with a kiss and relieves our pain – guides us into the sweet embracement of the night. Darkwell is the celebration of the dark sensualism”

Darkwell was born early 1999, with the aim and motivation to create alive and profound Gothic Metal. All the bandmembers are experienced musicians. They know well how to inspire liveliness in their music, resulting in strong compositions and mature arrangements.

1999 DARKWELL signed a record-deal with the austrian label Napalm Records, and in march 2000 they started the recordings of their debut “Suspiria”. They coupled fragile and though powerful female vocals with pounding guitarrs and pushing baselines. Shortly after entering the studio the five went on tour with labal-colleagues Tristania and The Sins of Thy Beloved. This tour was crowned with success: They got booked for the Wave Gothic Meeting even before releasing their first record, followed by many shows and a tour with Graveworm and Vintersorg..

Within Temptation

Within Temptation is a band from The Netherlands. The band consists of vocalist Sharon den Adel, guitarist Robert Westerholt, Jeroen Van Veen (bass), Martijn Spierenburg (keyboards) and Ruud Adrianus Jolie (guitars).

Within Temptation was formed in 1996 by Robert and Sharon, after Robert left his previous band The Circle, who then renamed themselves Voyage. The Circle members Michiel Papenhove and Jeroen Van Veen also left to join Robert in his new project. Martijn Spierenburg also left The Circle, and joined Within Temptation in 2000.

In 1996, Within Temptation released their Enter demo, and were picked up by DSFA Records. The following year, they released their first full length album, also entitled Enter. This album established them in the underground scene, and led them to play their fourth-ever gig at the legendary Dynamo festival.
In 1998, they followed up with an EP, The Dance, and progressed to the main stage at Dynamo...

Nightwish

Biography


Nightwish is an award-winning symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland, formed in 1996 by songwriter/keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former vocalist Tarja Turunen. Nightwish's current line-up has five members, but Tarja and the first bassist, Sami Vänskä, are no longer part of the group.

Anette Olzon was announced to be the replacement for former vocalist and frontwoman Tarja Turunen in 2007. She has appeared on Dark Passion Play and Made in Hong Kong (And in Various Other Places), and performed on the two-year Dark Passion Play tour..

The Sins Of Thy Beloved

Biography

The Sins of Thy Beloved is a gothic doom metal band, formed in Bryne, Norway in November 1996. The band currently consists of Anita Auglend (vocals), Glenn Morten Nordbø (guitars, vocals), Arild Christensen (guitars, vocals), Ola Aarrestad (bass), Maike Olaisen (keyboards), and Stig Johansen (drums).

The band was formed by Glenn Morten Nordbø, Arild Christensen, and Stig Johansen. The band was initially called “Purgatory” but they soon decided to change their name to something less common. Anita Auglend and Ola Aarrestad joined the band shortly thereafter, and they recorded their first demo “All Alone” in January-February 1997. Anders Thue and Ingfrid Stensland then joined before they recorded their second demo “Silent Pain” in January 1998. Pete Johansen played the violin on that demo though he did not officially joined the band until the recording of their first full-length album “Lake of Sorrow” later in 1998. They toured across Europe, before recording their second full-length album “Perpetual Desolation” in 2000. During the following tour, Anita Auglend, Anders Thue, and Ingfrid Stensland grew weary of traveling and left the band in 2001. A live performance was released on CD and VHS in 2001, though it was not distributed worldwide and is thus very hard to come by. The band has been dormant since the departure of its three members. Pete Johansen has since left to play the violin on several Tristania albums...

ReVamp

ReVamp

The story

Singer Floor Jansen needs no further introduction after 12 years of loyal service with After Forever. After the break of this band she knew she wanted to continue making metal!!! To accomplish this she joined forces with two additional songwriters to first compose, then record an album. The live band was formed after completion!
The first composer to join this new collaboration was soon found in Waldemar Sorychta (Grip Inc, Enemy Of The Sun, ao). The second composer is After Forever colleague Joost van den Broek. The ReVamp sound has become a unique blend of the personal style we recognize from these musicians.....