Elvenking (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Elvenking


Img_capt = Elvenking, from left to right: Aydan, Gorlan, Jarpen, Damnagoras, Elyghen, Zender
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Italy
Genre = Folk metal
Power metal
Years_active = 1997-present
Label = AFM Records
Associated_acts = Leprechaun
URL = [http://www.elvenking.net www.elvenking.net]
Current_members = Damnagoras
Aydan
Gorlan
Elyghen
Zender
Past_members = Sargon
Jarpen
Vocals
Kleid
Notable_instruments =

Elvenking is a folk/power metal band from Italy.

Biography

Elvenking was formed in October 1997 by two guitarist friends, Aydan and Jarpen, both sharing a passion for metal music and folklore. Although they were soon joined by Sargon as bassist, the young band faced many issues with its line-up that prevented them from progressing. In March 1998, Damnagoras joined the band as a lead singer, and was followed by the arrival of the drummer Zender in September. It was only then that the band found a definite stability.

The primary goal of Elvenking is to create a fusion of power metal and folk music. After gaining experience through many shows, the band decided to record a promotional album, "To Oak Woods Bestowed," in 2000. Damnagoras performed both lead vocals and bass for the recording and subsequent concerts as Sargon previously left the band. The demo was successful enough to allow Elvenking to sign a contract with German label AFM Records..

Soon after, Gorlan, a friend of Aydan and Jarpen, fully joined as a bassist; before he appeared as a session player.

The first full-length album "Heathenreel" was recorded at New Sin Audio Design by Luigi Stefanini and mixed at Fredman Studios by Fredrik Nordstrom. The cover artwork was created by Travis Smith and the band logo was designed by J.P. Fournier, who also designed covers for Avantasia and Immortal (band). The album was released on July 23 2001 and received praise from metal critics around the world. Elvenking then toured around Europe at festivals with better known bands like Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray, Edguy and Virgin Steele.

In August 2002 singer Damnagoras took leave from the band due to health concerns. Elvenking then recruited a new vocalist, Kleid, who revitalized the spirit of folk music within the band. Elyghen, a violinist and keyboard player, joined soon after. The shift in the line-up led to their second album, "Wyrd (album)", recorded at Gernhart studios in Siegburg with Martin Buchwalter, and mixed & mastered at House of music studios with Achim Kolher and released on April 19, 2004. The second album expresses the improvement of the unique style of the band.

In late 2004 Damnagoras returned, taking the place of Kleid, and Elvenking began working on their third album, "The Winter Wake."

On February 4, 2005, Founding Guitarist Jarpen Left Elvenking. Aydan commented:

"Jarpen didn't feel comfortable playing Elvenking's music anymore having lost passion in this kind of stuff. It was a long time he was talking with us about and when Damna was back in, knowing the direction we wanted to go, he told us his willing to leave. We have tried to convince him to give it a try but it didn't worked out.It's a really sad thing because Jarpen was one of the founding members and we have created all this from the beginning together, but on the other hand being friends before musicians we know that this is what Jarpen wanted and we totally respect his decision.We will miss you, friend!"

"The Winter Wake" was released and premiered live on March 11, 2006 in Pordenone, Italy.

On November 3, 2006, a new album was announced to be in the works according to the official website. It was released on September 14, 2007. The album is named "The Scythe" and it's a conceptual album about death.

On April 14, 2008, the band announced that they were beginning work on the next album and that it would be a "totally acoustic album". In a later post the band explained that while they viewed this new album as a chance to explore their folk influences it would also be a chance for them to experiment in new areas as well. It was also added that they already had some material written for a "heavy" album however this album would wait until after the acoustic album was released.

Influences

Elvenking has declared itself to be a band highly influenced by folk music and dances from all over the world, but especially from all the metal scene and from "any other cool stuff may it be pop, punk or whatever". Amongst the most influential bands on Elvenking's style is Skyclad.

Line-up

Current members

* Damnagoras – vocals (formerly also bass)
* Aydan – guitars, backing vocals
* Gorlan – bass
* Elyghen – violin, keyboards
* Zender – drums

Former members

* Sargon – bass
* Jarpen – guitars, vocals
* Kleid – vocals

Discography

Demos

* "To Oak Woods Bestowed" (2000)

Studio albums

* "Heathenreel" (2001)
* "Wyrd" (2004)
* "The Winter Wake" (2006)
* "The Scythe" (2007)
* "Two Tragedy Poets (...and a Caravan of Weird Figures)" (2008)

External links

* [http://www.elvenking.net Elvenking official website]
* [http://myspace.com/elvenking Elvenking on Myspace]
* [http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=387 Elvenking on Encyclopaedia Metallum]
*
* [http://www.metalstorm.ee/bands/band.php?band_id=247&bandname=Elvenking Elvenking] at Metal Storm