Elegy (Netherlands band)
Encyclopedia
Elegy are a Dutch power metal
band, founded in 1986 in Eindhoven. Their music is characterized by the fusion of power and progressive metal
, which made them the pioneers of the 'progressive power metal' subgenre. The band was plagued by a continuing changing roster, which counts in the current line-up only one founding member. Elegy have currently suspended any recording or live activity.
and Polydor Records
and recorded their first demo Metricide. After recording their second demo, Better Than Bells, the band had already become known enough to tour with Angel Witch
, Paul DiAnno’s Battlezone, Hellion
and King Diamond
. The following year came the first changes in the band: Ed Warby
and Eduard Hovinga joined the band on drums and vocals. This line-up recorded a third demo called Elegant Solution.
In 1992 they recorded their first album (Labyrinth of Dreams) and ensured a contract with the German label Shark Records. The album was a success in Japan where it reached number 42 in the album charts. Soon after the release of the album in 1993, Ed Warby left the band to join Gorefest
and drummer Serge Meeuwsen was hired for a Japanese tour, along keyboard player Ton van de Stroom. Back from Japan, Meeuwsen, van de Stroom and founding member Arno van Brussel left Elegy, to be replaced by drummer Dirk Bruinenberg
and guitarist Gilbert Pot.
In the spring of 1994, Elegy released their second studio album, Supremacy, which received little promotion by their record label and was supported only by a small tour with Annihilator
, Phantom Blue
, The Gathering
and Gorefest.
In the summer of 1995, the album Lost is presented to the public, with new keyboard player Gerrit Hager. But shortly before going on tour with Yngwie Malmsteen, Hovinga, Pot and Hager left the band. At the same the German record company Modern Music, home of T&T and Noise Records
, offered the band a lucrative contract.
The following year, vocalist Ian Parry (ex-Hammerhead) joined the band and recorded the EP Primal Instinct, which contains acoustic versions of old Elegy songs.
The album State of Mind
saw the light in May 1997 with good reviews and sales, both in Europe and Japan. Elegy went on a European tour with the Finnish band Stratovarius
to support the new album.
Chris Allister joined on keyboards for the concept album
Manifestation of Fear, released in the summer of 1998. The band co-headlined a European tour with American power metal
band Kamelot
the same year.
After the tour in 1999, Parry started his side-project Consortium with Bruinenberg on drums. At the end of the year founding member Henk van de Laars and Chris Allister left Elegy. French guitar virtuoso Patrick Rondat
joined the band during the same year and recorded Elegy's eight album Forbidden Fruit
, released on September 18, 2000 and well received by critics. Forbidden Fruit was the last album released for Modern Music, leaving the band without a recording contract for more than a year. Meanwhile the band members worked on side-projects or as touring and session musicians
Two years later Elegy released Principles of Pain with the Spanish label Locomotive Records
. Since then the band have not published any more albums and is currently on hiatus.
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...
band, founded in 1986 in Eindhoven. Their music is characterized by the fusion of power and progressive metal
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
, which made them the pioneers of the 'progressive power metal' subgenre. The band was plagued by a continuing changing roster, which counts in the current line-up only one founding member. Elegy have currently suspended any recording or live activity.
History
The band was formed in 1986 by guitarists Hank van de Laars and Arno van Brussel, who recruited the first stable line-up of Elegy with vocalist Chris Terheijden, bassist Martin Helmantel and Bert Burgers on drums. In 1986, the new band won a competition organized by the German magazine Metal HammerMetal Hammer
Metal Hammer is a monthly heavy metal music magazine published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing, and in several other countries by different publishers. Metal Hammer articles feature both mainstream bands and more unusual acts from the whole spectrum of heavy metal music...
and Polydor Records
Polydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
and recorded their first demo Metricide. After recording their second demo, Better Than Bells, the band had already become known enough to tour with Angel Witch
Angel Witch
Angel Witch is a British heavy metal band which formed in London, England in 1977 as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement.-Biography:...
, Paul DiAnno’s Battlezone, Hellion
Hellion (band)
Hellion is a heavy metal band, which was formed during 1982 in Los Angeles, California. The first line-up included Ann Boleyn , Ray Schenck , Sean Kelley and Peyton Tuthill . With a different line-up they continue on today....
and King Diamond
King Diamond
Kim Bendix Petersen , better known by his stage name King Diamond, is a Grammy Award nominated Danish heavy metal musician. As a vocalist, he is known for his extensive vocal range, in particular his usage of falsetto. He is the lead vocalist for both Mercyful Fate and the eponymous King Diamond...
. The following year came the first changes in the band: Ed Warby
Ed Warby
Edward R. Warby was born and raised in Rotterdam and is best known as the drummer for Gorefest and Ayreon.He also appeared in the band Agressor in 1982 and joined the Eindhoven-based prog-outfit Elegy in 1987...
and Eduard Hovinga joined the band on drums and vocals. This line-up recorded a third demo called Elegant Solution.
In 1992 they recorded their first album (Labyrinth of Dreams) and ensured a contract with the German label Shark Records. The album was a success in Japan where it reached number 42 in the album charts. Soon after the release of the album in 1993, Ed Warby left the band to join Gorefest
Gorefest
Gorefest was a Dutch band from the Zeeland region of the Netherlands which was founded in 1988 as a death metal outfit by De Koeyer, Harthoorn, van Schaik and Hoogendoorn.-History:...
and drummer Serge Meeuwsen was hired for a Japanese tour, along keyboard player Ton van de Stroom. Back from Japan, Meeuwsen, van de Stroom and founding member Arno van Brussel left Elegy, to be replaced by drummer Dirk Bruinenberg
Dirk Bruinenberg
Dirk Bruinenberg is a Dutch musician known as the former drummer of several European progressive metal and power metal bands, including: Elegy, Ian Parry's Consortium Project and Adagio...
and guitarist Gilbert Pot.
In the spring of 1994, Elegy released their second studio album, Supremacy, which received little promotion by their record label and was supported only by a small tour with Annihilator
Annihilator (band)
Annihilator is a Canadian heavy metal band hailing from Ottawa, Ontario, also from Vancouver, British Columbia between 1987-2002 by founding member, vocalist, guitarist and bassist Jeff Waters. The band has been around since 1984 and is the biggest selling heavy metal artist from Canada in history,...
, Phantom Blue
Phantom blue
Phantom Blue was an all-female American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1987. Phantom Blue were the first and only female artists to be signed to Mike Varney's Shrapnel Records, only three months after forming....
, The Gathering
The Gathering (band)
The Gathering is a Dutch alternative rock band, founded in 1989 by brothers Hans and René Rutten and vocalist Bart Smits in the small city of Oss, North Brabant....
and Gorefest.
In the summer of 1995, the album Lost is presented to the public, with new keyboard player Gerrit Hager. But shortly before going on tour with Yngwie Malmsteen, Hovinga, Pot and Hager left the band. At the same the German record company Modern Music, home of T&T and Noise Records
Noise Records
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...
, offered the band a lucrative contract.
The following year, vocalist Ian Parry (ex-Hammerhead) joined the band and recorded the EP Primal Instinct, which contains acoustic versions of old Elegy songs.
The album State of Mind
State of Mind
State of mind is a term meaning "mood" or "outlook" . It can also mean:-Music:*State of Mind , New Zealand drum and bass duo*A State of Mind , American punk band*State of Mind , 2003...
saw the light in May 1997 with good reviews and sales, both in Europe and Japan. Elegy went on a European tour with the Finnish band 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...
to support the new album.
Chris Allister joined on keyboards for the concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
Manifestation of Fear, released in the summer of 1998. The band co-headlined a European tour with American power metal
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...
band 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,...
the same year.
After the tour in 1999, Parry started his side-project Consortium with Bruinenberg on drums. At the end of the year founding member Henk van de Laars and Chris Allister left Elegy. French guitar virtuoso Patrick Rondat
Patrick Rondat
Patrick Rondat is a French guitarist. He plays instrumental heavy metal associated with diverse influences such as new age music, progressive metal, classical music and jazz. He appears in some shows by Jean Michel Jarre.-Biography:...
joined the band during the same year and recorded Elegy's eight album Forbidden Fruit
Forbidden Fruit
Forbidden Fruit is an album by Jazz singer/pianist/songwriter Nina Simone . It was her second studio album for Colpix.-Information about songs on this album:...
, released on September 18, 2000 and well received by critics. Forbidden Fruit was the last album released for Modern Music, leaving the band without a recording contract for more than a year. Meanwhile the band members worked on side-projects or as touring and session musicians
Two years later Elegy released Principles of Pain with the Spanish label Locomotive Records
Locomotive Music
Locomotive Music or Locomotive Records is an independent record label based in Spain.-Selected artists:* A.O.K.* Adagio* AlogiA* Anthenora* Anubis Gate* Astral Doors* Barón Rojo* Before the Dawn* Benedictum* Blood Stain Child* Crystallion...
. Since then the band have not published any more albums and is currently on hiatus.
Albums
- Labyrinth of DreamsLabyrinth of DreamsLabyrinth of Dreams, released in 1992, is the debut album by Dutch power metal band Elegy. It reached number 42 on the album charts in Japan.- Track listing :#"The Grand Change" - 4:42#"I'm No Fool" - 4:56#"Take My Love" - 4:47...
(1992) - SupremacySupremacy (Elegy album)Supremacy, released in 1994, is the second album by Dutch power metal band Elegy.- Track Listing :#"Windows of the World" - 5:10#"Angel´s Grace" - 7:09#"Poisoned Hearts" - 5:26#"Lust for Life" - 5:21#"Anouk" - 1:53...
(1994) - LostLost (Elegy album)Lost, released in 1995, is the third album by Dutch power metal band Elegy.- Track Listing :#"Lost" - 4:41#"Everything" - 6:00#"Clean Up Your Act" - 5:03#"Always with You" - 4:33#"Under Gods Naked Eyes" - 4:51...
(1995) - Primal Instinct (EP) (1996)
- State of MindState of Mind (Elegy album)State of Mind, released in 1997, is an album by Netherlands power metal band Elegy.-Track listing:#"Equinox " - 1:39#"Visual Vortex" - 4:45...
(1997) - Manifestation of Fear (1998)
- Forbidden Fruit (2000)
- Principles of Pain (2002)
Current members
- Ian Parry - vocals
- Patrick RondatPatrick RondatPatrick Rondat is a French guitarist. He plays instrumental heavy metal associated with diverse influences such as new age music, progressive metal, classical music and jazz. He appears in some shows by Jean Michel Jarre.-Biography:...
- guitars - Joshua DutrieuxJDXJoshua Dutrieux, known more commonly as JDX, is a Hardstyle producer and DJ, best known for his 2010 hit "Live the Moment", which was a collaboration with Sarah Maria. "Live the Moment" debuted at Qlimax 2009, and was released later in 2010 to much anticipation. "Live The Moment" reached number 1...
- 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 Helmantel - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Bart Bisseling - 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 ....
Former members
- Henk van der Laars - guitars (1986–1999)
- Arno Van Brussel - guitars (1986–1993)
- Chris Terheijden - vocals (1986–1989)
- Bert Burgers - drums (1986–1988)
- Ed WarbyEd WarbyEdward R. Warby was born and raised in Rotterdam and is best known as the drummer for Gorefest and Ayreon.He also appeared in the band Agressor in 1982 and joined the Eindhoven-based prog-outfit Elegy in 1987...
- drums (1988–1993) - Eduard Hovinga - vocals (1990–1995)
- Serge Meeuwsen - drums (1993)
- Ton van de Stroom - keyboards (1992–1993)
- Dirk BruinenbergDirk BruinenbergDirk Bruinenberg is a Dutch musician known as the former drummer of several European progressive metal and power metal bands, including: Elegy, Ian Parry's Consortium Project and Adagio...
- drums (1993–2002) - Gilbert Pot - guitars (1993–1995)
- Gerrit Hager - keyboards (1995)
- Chris Allister - keyboards (1998–1999)