Conception (band)
Encyclopedia
Conception is a power
/progressive metal
band from Raufoss
, Norway
.
in 1989 by guitarist Tore Østby
, singer Dag Østby, drummer Werner Skogli and bassist Freddy Samsonstuen. In 1990, after a demo tape, Arve Heimdal replaced Werner Skogli and Ingar Amlien replaced Freddy Samsonstuen. A year later, Dag Østby quit, and the band was forced to search for a new vocalist. After many auditions, the band hooked up with Roy Khan
, an opera singer (who had to wear a wig because he did not feel comfortable with having longer hair). To record their first album, The Last Sunset
, they formed their own record label, CSF Records. However, after talks and negotiations, Conception signed with Noise Records
in 1993 and recorded their second album Parallel Minds
. In 1995, they released their third album, In Your Multitude
and their fourth and final album, Flow
, in 1997.
Their somewhat short-lived career (the band disbanded in 1997-8) was characterized by a unique sound in the power/progressive metal genre (which was slightly altered with their last studio release, Flow
), notable for Østby's occasional integration of elements of flamenco (which he would continue in his later work with Ark) and Khan's unique vocals.
metal
festival Prog Power USA 2005 on Friday, September 16 and Norwegian
Scream Magazine's 15 Years & 100 Issues Festival on Saturday, October 1, bringing guitarist Tore Østby (Ark), singer Roy Khan (recently resigned lead singer of Kamelot
) and the rest of the band back together. The project is still on hold, however, as most members are currently occupied with their own bands.
A rumour circulated in late 2008 about a possible reunion, however these were proven false in 2009 when Tore Østby and John Macaluso reformed Ark.
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
/progressive metal
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
band from Raufoss
Raufoss
Raufoss is the municipal centre of Vestre Toten, a municipality in the county of Oppland, Norway, 10 kilomenters south of the larger town Gjøvik. It has approximately 6,000 inhabitants. The largest employer is what was earlier Raufoss Ammunitions factory, now split into several sub companies...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
.
Formation and record label
The band was formed in NorwayNorway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
in 1989 by guitarist Tore Østby
Tore Østby
Tore Østby was a founder, songwriter, producer and guitarist for Norwegian progressive metal band Conception from 1989 to 1998. After the band stopped playing on a permanent basis he, along with John Macaluso and Jørn Lande formed progressive metal band Ark.Tore is currently working as a senior...
, singer Dag Østby, drummer Werner Skogli and bassist Freddy Samsonstuen. In 1990, after a demo tape, Arve Heimdal replaced Werner Skogli and Ingar Amlien replaced Freddy Samsonstuen. A year later, Dag Østby quit, and the band was forced to search for a new vocalist. After many auditions, the band hooked up with Roy Khan
Roy Khan
Roy Sætre Khantatat , is a Norwegian singer. Commonly known as Roy Khan or simply Khan, he is the former vocalist for the symphonic power metal band Kamelot. He co-wrote most of Kamelot's songs with the band's guitarist and founder Thomas Youngblood since he joined the band.-Personal life:Roy began...
, an opera singer (who had to wear a wig because he did not feel comfortable with having longer hair). To record their first album, The Last Sunset
The Last Sunset (album)
The Last Sunset is the first full-length album released by the power metal/progressive metal band, Conception. The Last Sunset was originally recorded in 1991 under Conception's own record label CSF Records...
, they formed their own record label, CSF Records. However, after talks and negotiations, Conception signed with Noise Records
Noise Records (Germany)
Noise Records was a German record label founded by German music industry personality Karl-Ulrich Walterbach in 1983 as an expansion of his company Modern Music Records. Noise Records specialized in thrash and melodic speed metal. It was sold to the Sanctuary Records Group in 2001 and ceased any...
in 1993 and recorded their second album Parallel Minds
Parallel Minds
Parallel Minds is the second full-length album by the Norwegian power metal/progressive metal band, Conception.-Track listing:# "Water Confines" - 4:17# "Roll the Fire" - 4:32# "And I Close My Eyes" - 4:11# "Silent Crying" - 3:16...
. In 1995, they released their third album, In Your Multitude
In Your Multitude
In Your Multitude is the third full-length album by the Norwegian progressive metal/power metal band, Conception.-Track listing:# "Under A Mourning Star" − 5:10# "Missionary Man" − 3:40# "Retrospect" − 3:12# "Guilt" − 3:47# "Sanctuary" − 2:57...
and their fourth and final album, Flow
Flow (Conception album)
Flow is the fourth full-length album by the Norwegian power metal/progressive metal band, Conception. Flow was released on April 1, 1997 by Noise Records.-Track listing:# "Gethsemane" - 5:02# "Angel " - 4:23...
, in 1997.
Their somewhat short-lived career (the band disbanded in 1997-8) was characterized by a unique sound in the power/progressive metal genre (which was slightly altered with their last studio release, Flow
Flow (Conception album)
Flow is the fourth full-length album by the Norwegian power metal/progressive metal band, Conception. Flow was released on April 1, 1997 by Noise Records.-Track listing:# "Gethsemane" - 5:02# "Angel " - 4:23...
), notable for Østby's occasional integration of elements of flamenco (which he would continue in his later work with Ark) and Khan's unique vocals.
Reunion
Conception was reunited in 2005, playing the important American progProgressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
festival Prog Power USA 2005 on Friday, September 16 and Norwegian
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
Scream Magazine's 15 Years & 100 Issues Festival on Saturday, October 1, bringing guitarist Tore Østby (Ark), singer Roy Khan (recently resigned lead singer of Kamelot
Kamelot
Kamelot is an American symphonic power metal band from Tampa, Florida. The band was formed by Thomas Youngblood and Richard Warner in 1991. Norwegian vocalist Roy Khan joined for the album Siége Perilous, and shared song-writing duties with Youngblood until his departure in April 2011.As of 2010,...
) and the rest of the band back together. The project is still on hold, however, as most members are currently occupied with their own bands.
A rumour circulated in late 2008 about a possible reunion, however these were proven false in 2009 when Tore Østby and John Macaluso reformed Ark.
Last known lineup
- Roy KhanRoy KhanRoy Sætre Khantatat , is a Norwegian singer. Commonly known as Roy Khan or simply Khan, he is the former vocalist for the symphonic power metal band Kamelot. He co-wrote most of Kamelot's songs with the band's guitarist and founder Thomas Youngblood since he joined the band.-Personal life:Roy began...
- Vocals - Tore ØstbyTore ØstbyTore Østby was a founder, songwriter, producer and guitarist for Norwegian progressive metal band Conception from 1989 to 1998. After the band stopped playing on a permanent basis he, along with John Macaluso and Jørn Lande formed progressive metal band Ark.Tore is currently working as a senior...
- Guitar - Ingar Amlien - Bass
- Arve Heimdal - Drums
- Trond Nagell-Dahl - Keyboards
Former members
- Hans Christian Gjestvang - Keyboards
- Dag Østby - Vocals
- Werner Skogli - Drums
- Freddy Samsonstuen - Bass
- Halvor Holter - Keyboards
- Lars Christian Narum - Keyboards
Discography
| Date of Release | Type of Release | ||
| 1991, 1994 (Reissue) | The Last Sunset The Last Sunset (album) The Last Sunset is the first full-length album released by the power metal/progressive metal band, Conception. The Last Sunset was originally recorded in 1991 under Conception's own record label CSF Records... |
CSF Records | CD |
| 1993 | Parallel Minds Parallel Minds Parallel Minds is the second full-length album by the Norwegian power metal/progressive metal band, Conception.-Track listing:# "Water Confines" - 4:17# "Roll the Fire" - 4:32# "And I Close My Eyes" - 4:11# "Silent Crying" - 3:16... |
Noise Records Noise Records (Germany) Noise Records was a German record label founded by German music industry personality Karl-Ulrich Walterbach in 1983 as an expansion of his company Modern Music Records. Noise Records specialized in thrash and melodic speed metal. It was sold to the Sanctuary Records Group in 2001 and ceased any... |
CD |
| 1995 | Guilt / Sundance | Noise Records | EP (12" Vinyl) |
| 1995 | In Your Multitude In Your Multitude In Your Multitude is the third full-length album by the Norwegian progressive metal/power metal band, Conception.-Track listing:# "Under A Mourning Star" − 5:10# "Missionary Man" − 3:40# "Retrospect" − 3:12# "Guilt" − 3:47# "Sanctuary" − 2:57... |
Noise Records | CD |
| 1997 | Flow Flow (Conception album) Flow is the fourth full-length album by the Norwegian power metal/progressive metal band, Conception. Flow was released on April 1, 1997 by Noise Records.-Track listing:# "Gethsemane" - 5:02# "Angel " - 4:23... |
Noise Records | CD |
External links
- Official Conception website
- Semi-official Conception website
- Conception at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....