Coronatus

Coronatus
Origin	Stuttgart, Germany
Genres	Gothic metal
Years active	1999–present
Website	www.coronatus.de
Members
Mareike Makosch(Vocals) Ada Flechtner(Vocals) Viola Schuch(Vocals) Dirk Baur (Bass) Aria Keramati Noori (Guitar) Mats Kurth (Drums)

Coronatus is a German gothic metal band, formed in 1999.

Band history

Coronatus was founded in 1999 by Georgios Grigoriadis and Mats Kurth, and the single Von Engeln nur was recorded in 2003. Grigoriadis left at the end of 2004 and, under Kurth, the group took on two new singers, Carmen R. Schäfer and Viola Schuch. Fabian Merkt (keyboard) joined in early 2006, and Stefan Häfele (guitar) and Wolle Nillies (bass) also joined in 2006. Viola Schuch left in 2007 and was replaced by Ada Flechtner. Chriz diAnno (bass) has played with the band in 2003, 2005–2006, and then again since 2007. Ada Flechtner left the band to devote full attention to her studies. Mid 2010, Dirk Baur joined the Band on Bass Guitar. On February 10, 2011, the band announced that they split their ways with the singer, Natalia Kempin, due to different opinions about the band's music. Her place in the upcoming tour will take Viola Schuch, the former member of the band. Also, Ada Flechtner rejoined Coronatus for the tour.

Biography

CORONATUS stands for Double-Female-Fronted-Metal from Germany. The unprecedented combination of the exceptional singer Carmen R. Lorch (formerly Schäfer) with the operatic vocals (also a guest musician at ILLUMINATE and BRAINSTORM, etc.) and rock voice Lisa Lasch sets new standards in their genre. The ingenious interplay between the two singers is the basis for both powerful and catchy as well as soulful metal compositions, on which the beautiful duets of the two ladies are able to put a unique finishing touch. The lyrics in English, German and Latin all contribute to the diversity that appeals to very different music tastes.

Within a few years CORONATUS has developed from a project to a steady combo with that everyone has to reckon in the metal scene. After first great national and international performances with bands like HAGGARD etc. in 2007 the first album ’’Lux Noctis’’ and 2008 the second album "Porta Obscura” were released on Massacre Records. Both albums were recorded and mixed in Klangschmiede Studio E by Markus Stock (THE VISION BLEAK) and mastered in the Finnvox Studios in Helsinki by Mika Jussila (NIGHTWISH, CHILDREN OF BODOM, etc.), and have already achieved a for newcomers unusual good sales result. In January 2008, CORONATUS played as direct support of WITHIN TEMPTATION in front of about 1500 visitors in the Petöfi Hall in Budapest, followed by further concerts with magnitudes of the metal scene like MIDNATTSOL, COPPELIUS, DORO, TARJA, EPICA and KRYPTERIA. Since its founding by George G., now retired, and drummer Mats Kurth the band often restructured, resulting in the current lineup of a very dynamic force. The new band members Aria Keramati Noori from Tehran, Iran, on guitar and Todd Goldfinger, New York, United States, on the bass guitar represent impressively the international qualities of the band. So CORONATUS often had the occasion to inspire the audience on major festivals, such as the Metal Female Voices Fest 2009, with spectacular performances.

The new album "Fabula Magna" will be released in December 2009 on Massacre Records. A driving, direct, sometimes aggressive rhythm section builds a unique, enthralling atmosphere, together with the embossed melodies by the piano, flute, bagpipe and fiddle on which the multi-faceted vocals of the two front women shine. CORONATUS is through the linkage of different music styles interesting for both fans of the heavier- and fans of the more emotional metal music. The band has proven their sense for rocking, energetic parts and for Ballads on their two previous albums. They have emerged a lot over the years. "Fabula Magna” comes with a new power and even more complex compositions. The lyrics range thematically between as many directions as linguistically, but are rooted primarily in the legends, stories and myths being told all over the world. So you could designate CORONATUS as modern bardics, which have devoted their whole hearts and souls to this matter. At Spring of 2010 year Carmen Lorch and Lisa Lasch left the band, a new soprano-vocalist Natalia Kempin became the singer (from Russian symphonic extreme metal band Arcane Grail). Also Mareike Makosch has joined to fill the roll of rock singer. On February 10, 2011, it was announced that Viola Schuch and Ada Flechtner will be coming back as the singer for the upcoming tour because Natalia had to leave the band due to different opinions that emerged between the band and the now ex-singer.

Musical style

The band follows in the style of established groups Nightwish and Epica. Their lyrics are in German, English and Latin, and their songs deal with life, interpersonal relationships, religion and death. Their musical style is melodic, rhythmic Gothic metal with influences from Symphonic metal and Pagan metal. Songs are performed by two singers whose styles are very different.

Concerts and recordings

The band's first contract was in June 2007 with record label Massacre Records and their first CD was released on 21 September 2007. Their second album was launched on 28 November 2008. The band has also taken part in several concerts with groups such as Haggard and Within Temptation.

The Band

• Aria Keramati Noori [Guitar]
• Viola Schuch [Vocals], touring member
• Ada Flechtner [Vocals]
• Mareike Makosch [Vocals]
• Mats Kurth [Drums]
• Dirk Baur [Bass Guitar]

Discography

• Lux Noctis (21 September 2007)
• Porta Obscura (28 November 2008)
• Fabula Magna (18 December 2009)
• Terra Incognita (18 November 2011)

References

• Information taken from German wikipedia and Portuguese wikipedia Coronatus articles
• "Coronatus". Encyclopaedia Metallum. 2005. http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=46375. Retrieved 2009-05-28. 
• "Coronatus official website". http://www.coronatus.de/en.html. Retrieved 2009-05-28. 
• "Coronatus - Looking For Booking Agent". myspace.com. http://www.myspace.com/coronatus. Retrieved 2009-05-28. 
• "MetalStorm.net". http://www.metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=12963. Retrieved 2011-02-10.