Acropolis (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Acropolis


Img_capt =
Img_size = 250
Background = group_or_band
Alias = Area 51
Origin = flagicon|Israel Tel Aviv, Israel
Genre = Power metal
Progressive metal
Neo-classical metal
Years_active = 2001–2003
2005–present
Label =
Associated_acts = The Fading, Arafel, Matricide
URL = [http://www.acropolismetal.com/ Official website]
Current_members = Yochai Davidoff
Daniel Varfolomeyev
Elad Manor
Shaked Furman
Alex Karlinsky
Past_members = Dror Pe'er
Asaf David
Amir Shaham
Dana Ayalon
Ran Buldor
Dror Lukach

Acropolis is an extreme power metal band originating from Tel Aviv, Israel.
The band was formed up in 2001 and got noted for its virtuoso guitarist Daniel Varfolomeyev who incorporates elements of progressive metal and neo-classical metal to the power metal sound of the band.

History

Israeli Extreme-Power metal outfit Acropolis was founded under the name Area 51 in August 2001 by guitarists Daniel Varfolomeyev and Elad Manor and drummer Amir Shaham.

Recruiting Ran Buldor for the Bass duties, the quartet started to work, and did a couple of gigs the same month. When Daniel decided that he could no longer handle the vocals and guitar simultaneously, a temporary member, Golan, was recruited for one show. Ran left the band due to his enlisting to the Army. [http://www.vampire-magazine.com/showband.php?bid=2042 Archaic-Magazine.com ] ]

Because of the long distances between the band members, the band saw a long inactivity period during which some new material was written and the three founding members decided to make some major changes, followed by auditions and a completely new, 6-piece lineup in March 2002.

Elad switched to the Bass duties, leaving the Guitars role to newcomer guitarist Asaf David, making an impressive guitar-duel with Daniel. Dror "Shoko" Pe'er took the vocal duties, as well as the rhythm guitar on live concerts, and Dana Ayalon has brought in a new instrument in - Keyboards.

Each coming from different roots in music, starting from Dror's funk/jazz roots, through Dana's classical styling, Amir's Classic-heavy metal drumming and on to death metal influences that Elad and Asaf brought in. If all that wasn't enough, They spiced it all up with Daniel's neoclassical composition style.

The new lineup led the band from the straight-forward Heavy Metal approach to much broader, melodic, yet technical writing style, which contrasts the band stylistically from the rest of the Israeli Metal scene.

Working intensively throughout March, April, July and August 2002, the new lineup made its debut stage appearance at the Extreme Rock Festival 2002, which took place on the 9th of August, 2002 in Tel Aviv. Getting lots of praise, and criticism at once from the other side, the band turned out to be one of the highlights of the festival.

Following a smaller show in Jerusalem, the band entered a studio with Eyal Glottman (Eternal Gray, Prey for Nothing) at the end of August 2002 to start recording material for a 3 song demo, two of which were released as singles in winter 2003 under the new name, "Acropolis".

Shortly afterwards, the band has been asked to perform in a tribute night to the legendary heavy metal band Megadeth.

Performing with 3 other bands that night, Acropolis definitely set itself as the highlight of the tribute, with an impressive stage presence, accurate performance and the blasting vocals-duel with guest singer Yotam "Defiler" Avni from the Death metal band Abed. A debut performance of " [Hear the Devil Comes" after It's official released took place in that same concert.

Despite the attention drawing around the new band, the lineup was disbanded due to army enlistment by the end of 2003. [ [http://www.myspace.com/acropolismetal MySpace.com - Acropolis - IL - Metal / Progressive / Rock - www.myspace.com/acropolismetal ] ]

Elad and Daniel continued their musical activities with The Fading and Arafel respectively, exploring additional styles and creating a strong bond of musical collaborations between the members of these bands.

It wasn't long before the idea of creating the first Israeli power metal supergroup arose again, when Daniel and vocalist Yochai Davidoff were sketching ideas and concepts for the future band. Finally, by the end of 2005 a single titled "Lead the Wake" was recorded and performed by The Fading's rhythm section - Shaked Furman (Drums) and Elad Manor (Bass). Daniel Varfolomeyev (Guitars) with Alex Karlinsky (Keyboards) of Arafel, and Yochai Davidoff on the microphone spot. [ [http://www.rockdetector.com/artist,35856.sm ACROPOLIS | Rockdetector ] ]

By 2006, the recording lineup has turned into a full-time active band, and started writing and rehearsing material for a debut release. In January 2007, Acropolis hit the studios to record and produce a 7-track EP.

After an intensive production process in 5 different studios in Israel and abroad, Acropolis finished recording and mixing its first official release titled "The Aftermath" (2008).

The 23 minutes self-produced EP is mastered by Finnish mastering-guru Mika Jussila (Children of Bodom, Nightwish, Stratovarius) at Finnvox Studios (Helsinki, Finland), and offers 7 tracks, showcasing the bands diverse musicianship and performing abilities, blended in a unique style that blurs the fine line between lush harmony to razor-sharp intensity.

On May 22, 2008, the band also participated at the Israeli Wacken Metal Battle competition for a spot at the Metal Battle stage for newcomers at the annual Wacken Open Air festival.

The band lost to Death metal act The Fading in which the band's own bassist and drummer are performing as well. [ [http://www.metal-battle.com/metal-battle/metal-battle-israel/ Metal Battle Israel ] ]

The band's debut release, the long-awaited "The Aftermath" is slated for release on October 13, 2008.

Band Members

Current members

*Yochai Davidoff - lead vocals (2005–present)
*Daniel Varfolomeyev - guitars (2001–2003, 2005–present),
*Elad Manor - bass (2001–2003, 2005–present)
*Shaked Furman - drums (2005–present)
*Alex Karlinsky - keyboards (2005–present)

Former Members

*Dror 'Shoko' Pe'er - lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2002–2003)
*Asaf David - guitars (2002–2003)
*Amir Shaham - drums (2001–2003)
*Dana Ayalon - keyboards (2002–2003)
*Dror Lukach - lead vocals (2003)
*Ran Buldor - bass (2001)

Discography

Links

* [http://www.myspace.com/acropolismetal Myspace]
* [http://www.rockdetector.com/artist,35856.sm Acropolis on Rockdetector]
* [http://www.vampire-magazine.com/showband.php?bid=2042 Acropolis in Vampire Magazine]

References