Crystallion
Encyclopedia
Crystallion is a German heavy/power metal band founded in 2003 by bassist Stefan Gimpel and drummer Martin Herzinger. The first album A Dark Enchanted Crystal Night came out in 2006 and was well received by fans and media.
Musicwise the band’s grandeur metal is influenced by bands like Rhapsody of Fire
, Stratovarius
, Helloween
and Sonata Arctica
. Powerful riffs and hook-lines team up with finely crafted songwriting and brilliant melodies, but their most significant mark is singer Thomas Strübler’s multi-octave voice which is dividing the band from their likes.
The first album A Dark Enchanted Crystal Night came out in 2006 and was well received by fans and media. Germany’s Rock Hard
gave 8/10 points and quoted: “From songs to production to the cover everything fits here. A very well done debut for a young and promising band!”.
In May 2008 their second album "Hattin" - recorded at Helion Media Studios in Munich - was released on Dockyard 1 and the reception by fans and media was enthusiastic again. After a small release tour for the album in June 2008 and a number of gigs throughout Germany (and neighbouring Austria) guitarist Flo decided to leave the band by the end of what was to become the most successful year of the bands career until then. Since then the band has played with one guitar only, leaving more room for the creativity of keyboardist Manuel Schallinger and guitarist Patrick Juhasz.
On their third album "Hundred Days" Crystallion refines their style by adding a bit more Hard-Rock-oriented songwriting to their doublebass dominated melodic speed metal, complementing the band’s original trademarks with a slightly rougher edge. Concept-wise, the album’s focus lies on the hundred days of Napoleon Bonaparte’s return from his first exile on the island of Elba. Back in power, he once more tries to conquer large parts of Europe until he is finally beaten in the Battle of Waterloo and sent into exile to the remote island of St. Helena in the Pacific Ocean. "Hundred Days" was released in November 2009.
Now the band is working on new material.
History
Crystallion was founded in 2003 by bassist Stefan Gimpl and drummer Martin Herzinger to combine their musical passion with their interest in history.Musicwise the band’s grandeur metal is influenced by bands like Rhapsody of Fire
Rhapsody of Fire
Rhapsody of Fire is an Italian symphonic power metal band led by Alex Staropoli. Since forming in 1993, the band has released eight studio albums, one live album, two EPs, and a live DVD...
, Stratovarius
Stratovarius
Stratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
, Helloween
Helloween
Helloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was a pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt...
and Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica are a Finnish power metal band from the town of Kemi, originally assembled in 1995. Their later works contain several elements typical of progressive metal.....
. Powerful riffs and hook-lines team up with finely crafted songwriting and brilliant melodies, but their most significant mark is singer Thomas Strübler’s multi-octave voice which is dividing the band from their likes.
The first album A Dark Enchanted Crystal Night came out in 2006 and was well received by fans and media. Germany’s Rock Hard
Rock Hard
Rock Hard is an EP by the Beastie Boys, released by Def Jam Records on 12" in 1985. The song, and the accompanying songs on the 12", feature the band's debut rap effort....
gave 8/10 points and quoted: “From songs to production to the cover everything fits here. A very well done debut for a young and promising band!”.
In May 2008 their second album "Hattin" - recorded at Helion Media Studios in Munich - was released on Dockyard 1 and the reception by fans and media was enthusiastic again. After a small release tour for the album in June 2008 and a number of gigs throughout Germany (and neighbouring Austria) guitarist Flo decided to leave the band by the end of what was to become the most successful year of the bands career until then. Since then the band has played with one guitar only, leaving more room for the creativity of keyboardist Manuel Schallinger and guitarist Patrick Juhasz.
On their third album "Hundred Days" Crystallion refines their style by adding a bit more Hard-Rock-oriented songwriting to their doublebass dominated melodic speed metal, complementing the band’s original trademarks with a slightly rougher edge. Concept-wise, the album’s focus lies on the hundred days of Napoleon Bonaparte’s return from his first exile on the island of Elba. Back in power, he once more tries to conquer large parts of Europe until he is finally beaten in the Battle of Waterloo and sent into exile to the remote island of St. Helena in the Pacific Ocean. "Hundred Days" was released in November 2009.
Now the band is working on new material.
Current
- Thomas Strübler - vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Patrick Juhász - GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Stefan Gimpl - BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Manuel Schallinger - keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
- Martin Herzinger - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Discography
- Knights Of The Apocalypse:...Nemesis (2005) Demo
- A Dark Enchanted Crystal Night (2006)
- Hattin (2008)
- Hundred Days (2009)