Italy: Lacuna Coil (Metal)

Location: Milan, Italy (1996 – present);

Genres: Gothic Metal/Rock (early) / Alternative Rock (later)

Current line-up: Marco Coti Zelati (bass, keyboards); Cristiano Mozzati (drums); Marco Biazzi (guitars); Cristiano Migliore (guitars); Andrea Ferro (vocals); Cristina Scabbia (lead vocals);

The band formed as Sleep of Right in 1994 and recorded a song called "Bleeding Souls" for the Noise of Bolgia compilation in 1995, but soon changed their name to Ethereal.

1996

• A two–songs demotape under the name “Ethereal” is recorded and sent to several labels across the Europe.
• After reviewing the offers that came in, an international deal is signed with independent label Century Media Records.
• The name of the band changes into Lacuna Coil because the name Etheral has already been taken. Lacuna Coil is a mix of Italian and English words and can be translated as “Empty Spiral”.

1997

• The debut self-titled EP is recorded at the Woodhouse Studio in Hagen (Germany) whith producer Waldemar Sorychta.
• The first live experience begins supporting Moonspell on a European Tour.

Falling from Lacuna Coil (1998)

1998

• Long time friends Cristiano “Chris” Migliore and Cristiano “Criz” Mozzati are recruited to join the band respectively on guitar rand drums.
• The self-titled EP is released.
• Lacuna Coil open for Moonspell at the Coliseum in Lisbon (Portugal) in front of 4000 people.
• Their second European Tour, this time with The Gathering and Seigmen. Chris is injured shortly before departure and cannot make it, Steve Minelli (Node) takes His duty on guitar for the tour.
• Keyboardist Alice Chiarelli joins the band for a few months.
• On their first summer festival experience, Lacuna Coil open the mainstage at The “Wacken Open Air” in Germany. One of the highlights is their first signing session.
• The almost complete band – Andrea, Marco, Cristina, Chris, Criz – come together to record their frist full-length álbum at the Woodhouse Studios, with Waldemar – In A Raverie is born.

Falling Again from In A Reverie (1999)

1999

• Marco “Maus” Biazzi joins the bando n second guitar. Now the line-up is finally complete.

2000

• They entered the “Damagen Inc.” Stuios in Ventimiglia (Italy) with Waldemar Sorychta to record a new EP – Halflife.
• Their first headlining tour across Europe: 13 gigs including UK and Ireland.
• In October, they entered “Woodhouse Studio” with Sorychta to record the second album – Unleashed Memories.

Senzafine from Unleashed Memories (2001)

2001

• Their second full-length album - Unleashed Memories – is released.
• Then, the “Metal Odyssy Tour 2001” featuring Dimmu Borgir, In Flames, Nevermore and opener Susperia is their biggest tour at the time, with a lot fo sold out shows.
• First tour in the U.S. with their Portuguese friends Moonspell.

2002

• After a few months of hard work in the practice room, they’re ready to start the pré-production with Waldemar, in Milan (Italy).
• In April, they are already located in Dortmund (Germany), starting the recordings of Comalies at the Woodhouse Studio.
• In September: European release for Comalies. They get lots of cover stories from magazines, including Terrorizer in U.K., Rock Hard in Germany and Metal Hammer in Greece.

Swamped from Comalies (2002)

2003

• In April they are ready to hit the stages again, 4 weeks as main supporter for Opeth and the first two headlining shows in the U.S.
• More shows in Italy and the festivals in Europe. The biggest festival they’ve ever playded in Italy has been the Heineken Jammin Festival, 40.000 people with Iron Maiden as headliner.
• Straight after that, they are ready to start the longest tour they’ve ever done in their carreer. 10 Weeks in the States, joining Type O’Negative and Anthrax, plus headline shows.
• Their frist vídeo – Heaven’s a Lie.
• Their first headlining tour in the States, with Dog Fashion Disco supporting them.

Heaven's A Lie from Comalies (2002)

2004

• Their biggest adventure of their carreer at that time: From May to September, they are traveling all across the States first with Blindside and Hazen Street, supporting P.O.D., and then taking parti n OzzFest 2004.

  2005

• They entered the Massive Arts Studios (Italy) and the Woodhouse Studios (Germany) for the recording sessions of their fourth full album – Karmacode.
• The U.K. Tour “Na Evening with Lacuna Coil” begins. All the gigs are sold out and, for the first time, they open for themselves with na acoustic set.

Our Truth from Karmacode (2006)

2006

• The year start with the shooting of two vídeos in one day, in the same área of Downtown Los Angles: Closer and Enjoy the Silence.
• Also in 2006, they shoot the vídeo for their last single out of Karmacode: Within Me. They have done it part in Torino and Parti n The Island of Sardegna.

2007

• In October, their first experience in Tokio (Japan) as part of the Loud Park Festival.
• Beginning og November marks their firts trip to Australia in the Gigantour 2007 Package.

2008

• Is March and they start the songwriting process for Shallow Life.
• Between June and July, parto f the band start the mix of their first live DVD at the Officine Meccaniche Studios, in Milan, with the producer Marco Trantacoste.
• In November 25th, their official first live DVD – Visual Karma, Body, Mind and Soul – is released.

Spellbound from Shallow Life (2009)

2009

• Shallow life is released

2010

• They release the EP - Shallow Live: Acoustic At Criminal Records.

Discography:

1998 – Lacuna Coil (EP)

1999 – In a Reverie (Full-length)

2000 - Halflife (EP)

2001 - Unleashed Memories (Full-length)

2002 - Comalies (Full-length)

2005 - The EPs (Compilation)

2006 – Sampler (EP)

2006 - Karmacode (Full-length)

2008 - Visual Karma (Body, Mind and Soul) (DVD)

2009 - Manifesto of Lacuna Coil (Compilation)

2009 - Shallow Life (Full-length)

2010 - Shallow Live: Acoustic At Criminal Records (EP)

You can find more information on their official website, and follow them on Myspace, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Italy: Graveworm (Metal)

Location: Bruneck, Italy (1992 – present);

Genres: Melodic Black Metal / Gothic Metal

Current line-up: Harry Klenk (bass); Maschtl Innerbichler (drums); Eric Righi (guitars); Orgler “Stirz” Thomas (guitars); Stefan Fiori (vocals); Sabine Mair (keyboards);

Even before GRAVEWORM released any demo they got signed by Serenades Records, who saw an incredible show of the band close to their hometown Brunico.

A demo was produced straight after, featuring classic hymns like “Eternal Winds” or “When The Sky Turns Black”, which were featured on their debut álbum - When Daylight’s Gone. A great album, even more in the Gothic Metal vein, which increased a huge interest within the scene.

Awake from When Daylight’s Gone (1997)

A tour with CREMATORY, THERION & LAKE OF TEARS followed and proved the enormous power the band creates on stage. Shortly after the tour the MCD “Underneath The Crescent Moon” followed, featuring the bands hymn “Awaiting The Shining”, as well as the classical version of the track “Awake” sung by Sarah Jezebel Deva (CRADLE OF FILTH and THERION), who became close friends with the sympathic Italians after their tour.

Awaiting The Shining (1998)

A video for the track “Awaiting The Shining” was produced, featuring a documentation done by national Italian TV, who made a road report about the band when they played the Serenades Records festival along with HAGGARD and others.

GRAVEWORM soon became popular, played the Wacken Festival in 1998 and started the songwriting for their second album - As The Angel Reached The Beauty - released in 1999.

A Dreaming Beauty from As The Angel Reached The Beauty (1999)

A German tour with MYSTIC CIRCLE, STORMLORD and SUIDAKRA was done, followed by an European tour together with AGATHODAIMON and SIEBENBÜRGEN, as well as festival shows at the “Wave Gotik Treffen” and others.

In 2001 Scourge Of Malice was released, featuring their most brutal material, including the IRON MAIDEN Cover-Version “Fear Of The Dark”.

A first headliner tour was played, supported by VINTERSORG, DORNENREICH and DARKWELL, which turned out to be very successful. The band played the “Summer Breeze Festival 2001”, as well as a headliner show at the Italian “Badia Rocks” in 2002.

Dreaming Into Reality from Engraved In Black (2003)

GRAVEWORM decided to sign with NUCLEAR BLAST and started the production of their fourth álbum - Engraved In Black. “Nutopia the following album shows the band in a more midtempo way but with some hits like “Never enough” and “Hateful design” who are still killer songs in their live shows.

Bloodwork from Collateral Defect (2007)

The next output - Collateral Defect - shows the band in a new way, with some modern influences due to the fact of a new songwriter. Again this album contained a cover song, this time was a classic one from the 80’s Bonny Tyler “I need a hero”.

Vengeance Is Sworn from Diabolical Figures (2009)

Diabolical Figures was recorded and produced in February/March at Stage One Studio with Andy Classen (DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER and others), who did an incredible job once again. Diabolical Figures became an even heavier and more intense record compared to the band previous ones, but still with all typical GRAVEWORM  trademarks.

Once again GRAVEWORM did another cover-version, this time “Message in a bottle” of the 80’s Pop act olice, which might turn out to be a club-hit all over the world. GRAVEWORM are on the way to the top.”

Insomnia from Fragments of Death (2011)

In 2011, GRAVEWORM release their 8th full-length - Fragments of Death.

Discography:

1997 - Demo '97 (Demo)

1997 - Eternal Winds (EP)

1997 - When Daylight's Gone (Full-length)

1998 - Underneath the Crescent Moon (EP)

1998 - Awaiting the Shining (Video / VHS)

1999 - As the Angels Reach the Beauty (Full-length)

2001 - Scourge of Malice (Full-length)

2003 - Engraved in Black (Full-length)

2005 - (N)Utopia (Full-length)

2007 - Collateral Defect (Full-length)

2009 - Diabolical Figures (Full-length)

2011 - Fragments of Death (Full-length)

You can find more information on their official website, and follow them on Myspace and Facebook.

Italy: Opera IX (Metal)

Location: Biella, Italy (1988 – present);

Genres: Gothic Metal / Black Metal;

Current line-up: Vlad (bass); Dalamar (drums); Ossian (guitars); M. (vocals);

“Opera IX was born in 1988 by the perverse mind of Ossian. In 1990 they realize the first demo tape "Gothik". After many changes of line-up, the band reaches a certain stability with Cadaveria at the voice, Ossian at the guitar, Vlad at the bass and Flegias at the drums.The sound switches from an "occult metal" to an atmosferic mix of Doom Death and Black.

Born in The Grave from The Triumph Of The Death

The second demo DEMO 92,containing 4 cult songs, makes the band known in the entire underground scene and brings a contract for a 7" EP, came out in 1993. The first 500 copies are sold out in only 2 months. In the meantime the band realizes a video tape "The triumph of the Death" containing 2 videos; the great success obtained pushes the band to include it on the merchandise, even if it was conceived only for promotion.

Alone In The Dark from  The call of the Wood (1995)

At the end of 1993, Silent Bard, a musician of classic background, joins the line-up. With his keybords the band explores those new atmospheres, more etereal and grim, belonging to "The call of the Wood".

It's a full album on cd, out in 1995 under Miscarriage Records, containing 5 long songs: about 60 minutes of dark emotions to reach the most occult dimensions of human and superhuman existency, under the sign of pure obscurity and the first pagan footsteps.

After the coming out of the cd Opera IX changes the keyboard, the new member Triskent celebrates the traditions of the old pagan religion throughout the keyboards and guitar synth.

Rime of the ancient mariner from A call to Irons

"Awakening" the compilation cd is out for the American label Dwell Records. Opera IX partecipates with the inedit "My devotion". For the same label the Opera partecipates to "A call to Irons" an Iron Maiden tribute cd. The cover chosen by the band is "Rime of the ancient mariner".

My Devotion from Sacro Culto (1998)

In 1998: they released a new álbum - Sacro Culto - for the Belgian Shiver Records. The songs are more epic and black compared to the earlier production and the sound is a bit less contemplative. The keyboards are now played by Lunaris which worthly replaced the previous keyboard player, Turned out from the band because of ideologic misunderstandings.

Fronds of the Ancient Walnut from Sacro Culto (1998)

The production comes out definitely better than that of "The Call of the Wood" both for sound quality and artwork. The album is indeed presented in digipack. From "Cacro Culto" is realized the video "Fronds of the Ancient Walnut".

Finally with the year 2000 the Opera IX step forward in quality signing for Avantgardemusic, excellent label that totally embraces the expectations of the band that in January records, at the Undergrund studios in Sweden, the third chapter of their history "The black opera, simphoniae misteriorum in laude tenebrarum"an emotional concept album of pure atmospheric and epic black metal, the best production ever had so far.

Bela Lugosi's Dead from The Black Opera (2000)

Thanks to the great work of the label, both for promotion and distribution, The Black Opera reaches the 18000 copies sold.

Because of problems of musical and spiritual nature Flegias and Cadaveria leave the band to form a personal musical project and the Opera IX rediscover, in Taranis drums, and Madras vocals, the enthusiasm of old times and the filosofic-esoteric toghetherness, a very important factor for the soul of the band.

Maleventum from Maleventum (2002)

A new chapter unfolds in the story of Opera IX with the fourth album entitled Maleventum, a concept about witchcraft and paganism, plunged in a much more aggressive and epic sound than the earlier works. The recording of Maleventum will take place in January 2002 at the Damage inc studios in Ventimiglia.

The 21 September Madras and Taranis leaves band for several problems. In this time the Band was completing the agreement of the new album "Anphisbena".

Immortal Chant from Anphisbena (2004)

 

The project Opera IX not only is a musical concept but a marriage of art and religion where a style of life prevails on the daily life of modern man. The Opera IX walks along the occult roads of the old pagan knowledge troughout meditation and rites. They explore the dark meanders surrounding the men, travelling through old legends, forgotten traditions and superstitions.

The real essence of Opera IX is hidden in their lirics and in the music they compose, nothing else is worth saying. About their believes, Opera IX onour the celtic Gods and the powers of Nature, but, above all, they strongly believe in the power of their minds and spirits, in the energy inside everyone.

In the december of 2003 Opera IX complete the new line up with M the bard vocals and Dalamar drums. In the february 2006 Lunaris go out from Opera IX line up to explore other musical sides, so the band decided to use only a session keyboards player.

In the November 2007 Occultum Production relased “The Early Chapters” the reissue of the band's firts works. December 2008 the band seal the twenty-year career with the release of the DVD "Mythology XX Years of Witchcraft" for Occultum Production.I n the 2011 Opera Ix sign with the Polish Agonia records to release the sixth album.

Discography:

1990 - Gothik (Demo)

1992 - Demo'92 (Demo)

1993 - The Triumph of the Death (EP)

1994 - The Triumph of the Death (video / VHS)

1995 - The Call of the Wood (Full-length)

1998 - Live At Babylonia (video / VHS)

1998 - Sacro Culto (Full-length)

2000 - The Black Opera (Full-length)

2002 - Maleventum (Full-length)

2004 - Anphisbena (Full-length)

2007 - The Early Chapters (Compilation)

2008 - Mythology XX Years of Witchcraft (DVD)

You can find more information on their official website, and follow them on Facebook, Myspace and YouTube.

Italy: The Foreshadowing (Metal)

Location: Rome, Italy (2005 – present);

Genres: Gothic / Doom Metal;

Current line-up: Francesco Giulianelli (bass); Jonah Padella (drums); Alessandro Pace (guitars); Andrea Chiodetti (guitars); Marco Benevento (vocals); Francesco Sosto (Keyboards, backing vocals);

“Founded in 2005 by Alessandro Pace (former member of Klimt 1918, Spiritual Front & Dope Stars Inc.) and lately joined by Andrea Chiodetti (guitar player of Grimness, ex Spiritual Front), Francesco Sosto (keyboard player, ex Spiritual Front), the drummer Jonah Padella (Grimness), Davide Pesola on bass (Klimt 1918) and, at last, by Marco Benevento (singer of How Like a Winter), the band THE FORESHADOWING records its first full-length album Days of Nothing in 2006, mixed at Outer Sound Studio (Rome, Italy) by Giuseppe Orlando (Novembre) and mastered at Principal Studio (Senden, Germany).

Departure from Days of Nothing (2007)

Days of Nothing is a concept album about an imaginery apocalypse wished by an insane ordinary man. The album features a simple and powerful sound, where strong distortion guitars blend with mellow keyboards pads. After several offers, The Foreshadowing announced in april ’07 their signing with Candlelight Records.

The Wandering from Days of Nothing (2007)

On October 22nd 2007, Days of Nothing was issued worldwide under the historical label, receiving praise from critics and listeners all over the world. The album was released on a deluxe slipcase edition featuring the amazing artwork realized by well-known artist Seth Siro Anton (Paradise Lost, Moonspell, SepticFlesh, Soilwork and many others). After the debut release The Foreshadowing announced their official endorsement with Jackson Guitars USA.

On January 11th 2008, The Foreshadowing held a release party at the Jailbreak in Rome, and also concentrated on live shows, playing some club gigs and tooking part at some important festival as Stoner Hand of Doom (Italy), Legacy Festival (Serbia), Mayday Rock Festival (Poland) and Summer Darkness Festival 2009 (Netherlands) supporting Lacuna Coil.

Surviors Sleep from Oionos (2010)

At the end of 2008 the band gathered together to write their new opus “Oionos”. The new album was recorded and mixed again at OUTER SOUND STUDIOS (Rome, Italy) with Giuseppe Orlando (Novembre) during the spring 2009. The mastering was done in june 2009 at FINNVOX STUDIOS (Helsinki, Finland) by Mika Jussila, meanwhile the band is working again with Seth Siro Anton for artwork.

Russians from Oionos (2010)

The album sound is more gloomy, obsessive and epic than ever and it consists of 10 brand new tracks plus an exclusive funeral cover version of 80’s hit “Russians” by Sting. On December 2009 the band signed a new record deal with german cult label Cyclone Empire Records who set the schedule for the release date to april 2010.”

Discography:
2007 – Days Of Nothing (Full-length)

2010 – Oionos (Full-length)

You can find more information on their official website, and follow them on Facebook and Myspace.