Suidakra

Infobox musical artist
Name = SuidAkrA


Img_capt = "Caledonia" lineup, from left: Arkadius, Lars, Marcel, Marcus
Img_size = 250
Landscape = Yes
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Germany
Genre = Melodic death metal
Celtic metal
Years_active = 1994–present
Label = Last Episode
Century Media
Armageddon Music
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.suidakra.com/ www.suidakra.com]
Current_members = Arkadius Antonik Tim Siebrecht Marcus Riewaldt Lars Wehner
Past_members =

SuidAkrA is a melodic death metal band from Germany with Celtic folk influences.

Biography

SuidAkrA was formed in 1994 by guitarist Arkadius Antonik and drummer Stefan Möller under the name Gloryfication. The band recorded two demos with varying lineups, until finally adding to its ranks keyboardist Daniela Voigt, guitarist Marcel Schoenen and bassist Christoph Zacharowski. Later in the same year the band's name was changed to SuidAkrA ('Arkadius' spelled backwards).

In 1997, the band released their first album, the self-published "Lupine Essence". The album attracted the attention of German record company Last Episode. A deal was signed, and the band proceeded to record their second album "Auld Lang Syne" in 1998. Soon after the release bassist Nils Bross was brought in to replace Christoph Zacharowski.

"Lays from Afar" and "The Arcanum" were released in 1999 and 2000, respectively. At this point, the sound of the band had developed into melodic death metal reminiscent of many Gothenburg area bands. Further lineup changes took place after the release of "The Arcanum", as Daniela Voigt and Stefan Möller left the band and Marcel Schoenen retired his band position to concentrate on song writing.

In 2001, SuidAkrA signed a deal with Century Media Records. Drummer Lars Wehner and guitarist Germano Sanna joined Antonik and Bross to record the follow-up to "The Arcanum", titled "Emprise to Avalon", released in 2002. This lineup didn't last long, as Bross left the band soon after recordings were complete. Marcus Riewaldt joined the band to take up the bass spot. A year later Marcel Schoenen returned to replace Sanna.

The new lineup meant a change in the creative responsibilities. For the band's sixth studio album, "Signs for the Fallen", all members took part in writing material. While the lineup remained the same for the next album, the band had run into disagreement with their label and eventually split [ [http://www.metalsymphony.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2562&theme=Printer Metal Symphony interview with Arkadius] ] . They went on to finance the next album on their own, and later signed a new recording deal with Armageddon Music. "Command to Charge" was released in 2005.

Their eighth studio release, titled "Caledonia", was released on 2006-11-17 [ [http://www.armageddonmusic.de/index.php?id=715&no_cache=1&L=1&tx_islgartistinfo_pi2%5BshowUid%5D=25&tx_islgartistinfo_pi2%5BArtist%5D=SUIDAKRA Armageddon Music Caledonia release info] ] . The Scottish themed album included some fairly prominent use of highland bagpipes, contributed by Axel Römer, who also appeared on some of the larger live performances.

From 5–12 August 2007 some old tracks were re-recorded for a Best Of compilation titled "13 Years of Celtic Wartunes" [cite web| url=http://www.suidakra.com/ |title="13 Years of Celtic Wartunes" - all the info! |publisher=SuidAkrA |date=2008-03-06 |accessdate=2008-03-08] . Others tracks were remastered. It's scheduled for release on 2008-04-25 in Germany [cite web| url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=91787 |title=13 Years Of Celtic Wartunes DVD Trailer Available |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |date=2008-02-28 |accessdate=2008-03-08] together with a live DVD containing registrations of the Wacken 2007 performance as well as the accoustic show at the Kielowatt Festival in 2006. Release dates for other regions are 2008-04-28 (Europe) and 2008-06-10 (USA).

Shortly after their performance on Ultima Ratio 3 in November 2007 the band announced that Marcel Schoenen had left the band for the second time, to concentrate on his job. Consequently a new live guitar player was recruited in the form of Tim Siebrecht, ex-member [cite web| url=http://www.metal-glory.de/metalopedia_musiker.php?musiker=5289 |title=Tim Siebrecht past work with Sleeping Gods |publisher=Metalglory Magazine |accessdate=2008-03-08] of the disbanded formation Sleeping Gods.

Recordings for a new album are scheduled for end of 2008 at Gernhart Recording Studio.

Line-up

Current members

* Arkadius Antonik - Guitars, vocals
* Tim Siebrecht - Guitars, vocals
* Marcus Riewaldt - Bass
* Lars Wehner - Drums

Past members

* Stefan Möller - Drums
* Daniela Voigt - Keyboards, vocals
* Christoph Zacharowski - Bass
* Nils Bross - Bass
* Germano Sanna - Guitar
* Marcel Schoenen - Guitars, vocals

Discography

Albums

* Lupine Essence (1997)
* Auld Lang Syne (1998)
* Lays from Afar (1999)
* The Arcanum (2000)
* Emprise to Avalon (2002)
* Signs for the Fallen (2003)
* Command to Charge (2005)
* Caledonia (2006)
* Crógacht (planned release)

Demos

* Dawn (1995)

Compilations

* 13 Years of Celtic Wartunes (2008)

References

External links

* [http://www.suidakra.com Official website]
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