Labyrinth (band)
Encyclopedia
Labyrinth is a power metal
band formed in 1991 in Massa
, Italy
. The band underwent a change in style and themes after the departure of Olaf Thorsen in 2002.
The band released their first demo "Midnight Resistance". The demo got enthusiastic reviews in major metal magazines in Italy and Germany and that gave them the chance to sign with Underground Symphony, a new indie record label. Andrea Bartoletti left the band and was replaced by Chris Breeze (Cristiano Bertocchi). "Piece of Time", their first EP, marked the direction the band was taking: pure melodic speed metal with a keyboards-background.
In 1995, "No Limits" was released and the interest in the band grew among metal fans and independent labels. The popularity of the band increased not only in the Italy and in Europe, but also overseas where some labels (Teichiku Records
in Japan) offered to distribute the album. The band was in the metal magazine Burrn!
s top ten charts for almost six months. Joe Terry (Fabio Tordiglione) left the band and later becoming the frontman with Rhapsody of Fire
.
In 1997, Frank Andiver (Franco Rubulotta) and Ken Taylor (Luca Contini) left the band (however they took part in the composing of "Return to Heaven Denied"); and Rob Tyrant (Roberto Tiranti), Mat Stancioiu (Mattia Stancioiu) and Andrew McPauls (Andrea De Paoli) were brought in as their replacements. All the while, some of the big metal labels showed an interest on the band's new demo and finally Metal Blade Records
made an offer and the band joined the label. It took six months to record the second album Return To Heaven Denied and before its release the band took part in that summer's metal main event: "Gods of Metal", together with some of heavy metal's biggest acts such as Black Sabbath
, Pantera
, Helloween
, Blind Guardian
, etc. Return To Heaven Denied was a success among fans and metal magazines alike, and it gave a strong push not only to the career of the band, but also to the Italian metal scene as a whole.
Shortly after the release of the new record the singer Rob Tyrant left the band, replaced by Morby from Domine
who was with Labyrinth throughout the whole European tour as supporting act with Pegazus
of the most popoular bands HammerFall
and Primal Fear
. After a few months, it followed an Italian Tour with Heimdall
. Then, Rob Tyrant returned to the band. After a short break the band entered the recording studio to release the new Mini CD Timeless Crime, containing new and old tracks from the first demotape Midnight Resistance to LPs No Limits and Return to Heaven Denied.
with Vision Divine
.
The band organized an Italian tour first, in February 2001, with supporting band Sigma (ex Love Machine), and then a European tour, supporting Helloween first and then with Nocturnal Rites
supporting Iron Savior
.
The band organized, in March 2002, a tour called "Italian Attack". A festival in which Domine
, White Skull, Skylark
, Novembre
, and Centurion appeared. Their participation in these tours help raise the popularity of Labyrinth. In May of that year, the band began writing new material.
In the meantime, Olaf Thorsen left the band to join Vision Divine, whereas Mat Stancioiu and Andrew McPauls left Vision Divine to dedicate all their attention to Labyrinth. In July the first demo of the new Labyrinth album appeared. For the first time, the members decided to use their Italian names: Andrea Cantarelli, Roberto Tiranti, Andrea De Paoli, Cristiano Bertocchi, and Mattia Stancioiu.
The clear and sharp recording of the new demo procured them three of the most important deals of their career: Century Media Records
for Europe and Americas, V2
for Italy and King Records for Japan.
In January, Labyrinth began recording the new self-titled album, with the band self-producing again. It was recorded at the Noise Factory in Milan
, Italy, and it was mastered at House of Audio in Germany.
On April 24, 2003 Labyrinth signed a record deal with Century Media Records. The release date for their next album was set for June 30, 2003. The release of Labyrinth originally set for June 30, was postponed in Italy to July 4.
On August 9, 2003, Labyrinth performed at the 9th Agglutination Metal Festival in Chiaromonte, Italy. Other bands set to appear at the event included Vader
, Virgin Steele
and Elvenking
.
Roberto Tiranti took part in the musical "The Ten Commandments" until the beginning of the year 2004.
The next step was finding another good guitarist for the live dates. The band found in Pier Gonella
, Roberto and Andrea De Paoli. The first show with Pier was the IX Agglutination Metal Festival in Chiaromonte
(PZ), where Labyrinth would have been the third band, before Vader and Virgin Steele.
After the summer, the band began preparations for the live shows to support the new album. It was a tour out of the usual standard, without an estimated end: The Maze On Tour 2003/2004. From December 2003, with the tour, also began the work on the new album foreseen for Fall 2004, during which the band celebrated 10 years together. The new work was a prosecution of the way begun with Labyrinth, with songs of deep atmosphere and tracks like "Just Soldier", but with a deeper introspection. Taking part with good and dense ideas to the writing of the new tracks, Pier Gonella
with the beginning of 2004 joined the band as sixth official member. Also in December, Rob Tyrant (Roberto Trianti) recorded guest vocals on the rock opera "Genius 'Episode II'" along with people such as Eric Martin (formerly of Mr. Big
), Russell Allen
(from Symphony X
), Jeff Martin
(of Racer X), Mark Boals
(formerly of Yngwie Malmsteen), Daniel Gildenlöw
(of Pain of Salvation
), Liv Kristine
(formerly of Theatre of Tragedy
), and Edu Falaschi (of Angra).
Labyrinth put the band to work one more time, with big support of Century Media, in Japan good sales with King Records and then in the month of May a tour in Asia
called "Banzai Tour" in Tokyo
and Osaka
, Japan, Taipei
, Taichung
, Taiwan
, and Beijing
, China
and also Hong Kong
.
After some shows in Italy, Labyrinth played in Slovakia
at More Then Festival 2004 with bands like Lost Horizons
, Destruction
, and Freedom Call
.
On December 9, 2004, they performed a show in London
at Underworld Cadmen together with Dream Evil
. One week later Labyrinth signed a deal with the label Arise records.
With Freeman, there was a new look with strength-jackets and more wish of freedom in the lyrics; both for Italian and Jaspanese releases, there is a normal version and one with a bonus DVD
.
On February 22, 2005, Labyrinth announced the dates of an Italian tour in support of their upcoming album, Freeman. The tour would consist of, seven total shows, ranging from March 25, 2005 through and including April 16, 2005. The follow-up to 2003's Labyrinth, Freeman was recorded at Elnor Studios and scheduled for release on March 4, 2005 by Arise Records. Freeman was released in March 2005, in which the band showed more aggressive riffs and melodic parts at the same time. The album, was released in 2005 through Arise Records. The Italian version of the album contained the exclusive bonus DVD with a Tokyo show (Banzai Tour 2004), "best of" London Cadmen Underworld (from November 13, 2004), the "L.Y.A.F.H." and "Freeman" videos, pictures and discography.
Later that month on March 21, 2005, Headrush, an Italian hard rock band featuring ex-Dokken
guitarist Alex De Rosso and Labyrinth singer Roberto Tiranti, released their debut album in Europe via Frontiers Records
(and in Japan via King Records). Also, in March 2005 singer Roberto Tiranti appeared on Secret Sphere album "Heart & Anger".
That summer after the Lorca Rock Festival, Labyrinth played a tour in Italy (a total of 17 shows) and supported Dream Theater
and Angra
in Italy for three shows (June 21–23), in Italy (June 21, 2005 in Florence, on June 22, 2005 in Ascoli Piceno
, and on June 23 in Padova) with Angra. Later, on August 14, 2005, Labyrinth took part in the Metalway Festival in Gernika-Bilbao
with bands like Manowar, Saxon
, Accept
, Motörhead, WASP and more.
2006 started with bad news, Cristiano Bertocchi left the band, to pursue a solo career. After few days of Mattia suggested Roberto to become the new bass player. They played only two shows with this new line up, one at Mesiano in Trento
and another at the Evolution Festival, then spent the rest of the year writing and recording 6 Days to Nowhere
.
In December Heraldry released their album "Delirium", which featured guest vocals by Roberto Tiranti.
In late 2006, Labyrinth signed a record deal with Scarlet Records
, to release 6 Days to Nowhere. Between February 26, and March 9, the album 6 Days To Nowhere was released worldwide. The album's mastering took place at the famous Abbey Road Studios
in London. Following the albums release the band announced a tour of Europe (only one date in Sweden
and the rest in Italy) and Japan, between October 27, 2007 and March 2, 2008.
On November 3, 2007 Labyrinth appeared at the Växjö Metal Festival III, in Växjö, Sweden. Also scheduled to appear were Jorn
, Grave
, Heed
, Bloodbound
, Engel and Pagan's Mind
, among others.
Pier Gonella
handled the guitar duties, on the Necrodeath
album "Draculea
" While Pier performed on that album, Roberto Tiranti appeared on Ranfa's album Little Hard Blues. Tiranti appeared on the albums fifth track entitled "It Will Be Not This Blues".
On January 22, 2008, it was announced that Andrea De Paoli would be making a guest appearance on the debut album of Expedition Delta, which is being released by ProgRock Records.
On summer 2008 Pier Gonella
left the band for dedicate himself totally for Necrodeath
and his new heavy metal
band Mastercastle
.
On September 11, 2009 Olaf reunites with Labyrinth to record Return to Heaven Denied Pt. II: "A Midnight Autumn's Dream"
, a follower of their successful album from 1998
.
Also Drummer Mattia Stancioiu left the band due to musical opinion of the new album Return to Heaven Denied Pt. II: "A Midnight Autumn's Dream
They are currently on tour with Sonata Arctica on their "The Days Of Grays" Tour. (2011)
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 formed in 1991 in Massa
Massa
Massa is a town and comune in Tuscany, central Italy, the administrative centre of the province of Massa-Carrara. It is located in the Frigido River Valley, near the Alpi Apuane, some 5 kilometers from the Tyrrhenian Sea....
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. The band underwent a change in style and themes after the departure of Olaf Thorsen in 2002.
1990s
Labyrinth formed in 1991 with a lineup of Franco Rubulotta (Frank Andiver-drums), Luca Contini (Ken Taylor-keyboards), Andrea Bartoletti (bass guitar), Andrea Cantarelli (Anders Rain-lead guitar), Carlo Andrea Magnani (Olaf Thorsen-lead guitar), Fabio Tordiglione (Joe Terry-vocals).The band released their first demo "Midnight Resistance". The demo got enthusiastic reviews in major metal magazines in Italy and Germany and that gave them the chance to sign with Underground Symphony, a new indie record label. Andrea Bartoletti left the band and was replaced by Chris Breeze (Cristiano Bertocchi). "Piece of Time", their first EP, marked the direction the band was taking: pure melodic speed metal with a keyboards-background.
In 1995, "No Limits" was released and the interest in the band grew among metal fans and independent labels. The popularity of the band increased not only in the Italy and in Europe, but also overseas where some labels (Teichiku Records
Teichiku Records
Teichiku Records is a Japanese record label, run by the Teichiku Entertainment company, that specialises in enka, kayōkyoku, and similar music. Teichiku is an abbreviation for , the former name of the company...
in Japan) offered to distribute the album. The band was in the metal magazine Burrn!
Burrn!
Burrn! is a monthly Japanese magazine, published since 1984, for fans of heavy metal music. It is published by Shinko Music in Tokyo. The magazine's content is in Japanese, but the covers are predominantly in English.-References:* Japanavision...
s top ten charts for almost six months. Joe Terry (Fabio Tordiglione) left the band and later becoming the frontman with 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...
.
In 1997, Frank Andiver (Franco Rubulotta) and Ken Taylor (Luca Contini) left the band (however they took part in the composing of "Return to Heaven Denied"); and Rob Tyrant (Roberto Tiranti), Mat Stancioiu (Mattia Stancioiu) and Andrew McPauls (Andrea De Paoli) were brought in as their replacements. All the while, some of the big metal labels showed an interest on the band's new demo and finally Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
made an offer and the band joined the label. It took six months to record the second album Return To Heaven Denied and before its release the band took part in that summer's metal main event: "Gods of Metal", together with some of heavy metal's biggest acts such as Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, Pantera
Pantera
Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. Formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell in 1981, bassist Rex Brown would join in late 1981 with vocalist Terry Glaze. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera had Terry replaced in 1987 with Phil Anselmo as...
, 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...
, Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in Krefeld, West Germany. They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres...
, etc. Return To Heaven Denied was a success among fans and metal magazines alike, and it gave a strong push not only to the career of the band, but also to the Italian metal scene as a whole.
Shortly after the release of the new record the singer Rob Tyrant left the band, replaced by Morby from Domine
Domine
Domine is an Italian heavy metal band formed in 1983. The power metal band from Florence, who began releasing demo tapes in 1986, got some attention with their first album, Champion Eternal, released in 1997. Domine went on to release four more albums, touring Europe and playing at many festivals...
who was with Labyrinth throughout the whole European tour as supporting act with Pegazus
Pegazus
-External links:**...
of the most popoular bands HammerFall
HammerFall
HammerFall is a power metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden. The band was formed in 1993 by ex-Ceremonial Oath guitarist Oscar Dronjak.- Early days :...
and Primal Fear
Primal Fear (band)
Primal Fear is a German power metal and speed metal band formed in 1997 by Ralf Scheepers and Mat Sinner . Sinner & Scheepers formed the band after Ralf was not hired as Rob Halford's replacement in Judas Priest...
. After a few months, it followed an Italian Tour with Heimdall
Heimdall
In Norse mythology, Heimdallr is a god who possesses the resounding horn Gjallarhorn, owns the golden-maned horse Gulltoppr, has gold teeth, and is the son of Nine Mothers...
. Then, Rob Tyrant returned to the band. After a short break the band entered the recording studio to release the new Mini CD Timeless Crime, containing new and old tracks from the first demotape Midnight Resistance to LPs No Limits and Return to Heaven Denied.
2000s
After these festivals, the band entered the recording studio again to release the new full-length album Sons Of Thunder. As a showcase for the new album, the band played at important European festivals, like WACKEN 2000 and Rock Machina 2000 in Spain. At the end of August 2000, Sons Of Thunder went to #52 on the Japanese charts and at #26 on the Italian charts. The band then toured South AmericaSouth America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
with Vision Divine
Vision Divine
Vision Divine is a progressive power metal band formed in Italy in 1998.-History:Originally a solo project from Olaf Thörsen...
.
The band organized an Italian tour first, in February 2001, with supporting band Sigma (ex Love Machine), and then a European tour, supporting Helloween first and then with Nocturnal Rites
Nocturnal Rites
- Biography :The band started off under the name Necronomic playing heavy metal, as can be heard on their demo . This attracted some independent labels' attention, but they turned them down in the hope of a better opportunity...
supporting Iron Savior
Iron Savior
Iron Savior is a German power metal band that formed in Hamburg, Germany in 1996. Following a period of several years working behind the scenes in music production, multi-instrumentalist and producer/engineer Piet Sielck joined with former Helloween bandmate Kai Hansen and then-drummer for Blind...
.
The band organized, in March 2002, a tour called "Italian Attack". A festival in which Domine
Domine
Domine is an Italian heavy metal band formed in 1983. The power metal band from Florence, who began releasing demo tapes in 1986, got some attention with their first album, Champion Eternal, released in 1997. Domine went on to release four more albums, touring Europe and playing at many festivals...
, White Skull, Skylark
Skylark (Italian band)
Skylark is an Italian power metal band founded in 1994 by Eddy Antonini and is still active today.-History:Skylark was founded by Eddy Antonini in 1994 with the intent of exploring several musical styles in one project. After adding four members, the group recorded the 1995 album The Horizon and...
, Novembre
Novembre
Novembre is a progressive death metal/gothic doom metal band.-Biography:Starting out in 1990 as an Italian death metal band , Novembre grew to develop a unique, atmospheric sound. Although most of their lyrics are in English, vocalist Carmelo Orlando sings in Italian occasionally in many of their...
, and Centurion appeared. Their participation in these tours help raise the popularity of Labyrinth. In May of that year, the band began writing new material.
In the meantime, Olaf Thorsen left the band to join Vision Divine, whereas Mat Stancioiu and Andrew McPauls left Vision Divine to dedicate all their attention to Labyrinth. In July the first demo of the new Labyrinth album appeared. For the first time, the members decided to use their Italian names: Andrea Cantarelli, Roberto Tiranti, Andrea De Paoli, Cristiano Bertocchi, and Mattia Stancioiu.
The clear and sharp recording of the new demo procured them three of the most important deals of their career: Century Media Records
Century Media Records
Century Media Records is an Independent record label with offices in the United States, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom.- Background :...
for Europe and Americas, V2
V2 Records
V2 Records is a record label that is owned by Universal Music Group as of October 2007. The label was founded in 1996 by Richard Branson, five years after he sold Virgin Records to EMI....
for Italy and King Records for Japan.
In January, Labyrinth began recording the new self-titled album, with the band self-producing again. It was recorded at the Noise Factory in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, Italy, and it was mastered at House of Audio in Germany.
On April 24, 2003 Labyrinth signed a record deal with Century Media Records. The release date for their next album was set for June 30, 2003. The release of Labyrinth originally set for June 30, was postponed in Italy to July 4.
On August 9, 2003, Labyrinth performed at the 9th Agglutination Metal Festival in Chiaromonte, Italy. Other bands set to appear at the event included Vader
Vader (band)
Vader is a Polish death metal band from Olsztyn, formed in 1983. According to Piotr Wiwczarek, the band's founding singer and guitar player, the band's name was inspired by Darth Vader from the Star Wars film series. Lyrical themes include stories by H. P. Lovecraft, WW2, horror and anti-christian...
, Virgin Steele
Virgin Steele
Virgin Steele is a heavy metal band from New York, originally formed in 1981.The band released a few career highlights albums...
and Elvenking
Elvenking (band)
Elvenking is a folk/power metal band from Italy. As of 2010, the band has released one demo, one single, and six full-length studio albums.- Biography :...
.
Roberto Tiranti took part in the musical "The Ten Commandments" until the beginning of the year 2004.
The next step was finding another good guitarist for the live dates. The band found in Pier Gonella
Pier Gonella
Pier Gonella is a guitarist and a founder member of the Italian heavy metal band Mastercastle and the thrash metal band Necrodeath also.-Biography:...
, Roberto and Andrea De Paoli. The first show with Pier was the IX Agglutination Metal Festival in Chiaromonte
Chiaromonte
Chiaromonte is a town and comune in the province of Potenza, in the Southern Italian region of Basilicata....
(PZ), where Labyrinth would have been the third band, before Vader and Virgin Steele.
After the summer, the band began preparations for the live shows to support the new album. It was a tour out of the usual standard, without an estimated end: The Maze On Tour 2003/2004. From December 2003, with the tour, also began the work on the new album foreseen for Fall 2004, during which the band celebrated 10 years together. The new work was a prosecution of the way begun with Labyrinth, with songs of deep atmosphere and tracks like "Just Soldier", but with a deeper introspection. Taking part with good and dense ideas to the writing of the new tracks, Pier Gonella
Pier Gonella
Pier Gonella is a guitarist and a founder member of the Italian heavy metal band Mastercastle and the thrash metal band Necrodeath also.-Biography:...
with the beginning of 2004 joined the band as sixth official member. Also in December, Rob Tyrant (Roberto Trianti) recorded guest vocals on the rock opera "Genius 'Episode II'" along with people such as Eric Martin (formerly of Mr. Big
Mr. Big (band)
Mr. Big is an American rock supergroup, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1988. The band is a quartet composed of Eric Martin , Paul Gilbert , Billy Sheehan , and Pat Torpey ; Mr. Big also included Richie Kotzen, a reputable blues-based guitarist who replaced Gilbert in 1999...
), Russell Allen
Russell Allen
Russell Allen is the singer of the American progressive metal band Symphony X.-Biography:Before working with a rock band, he was a jouster at a Medieval Times Dinner Theater. He was introduced to the band Symphony X by former singer Rod Tyler...
(from Symphony X
Symphony X
Symphony X is an American progressive metal band from Middletown, New Jersey.Founded in 1994 by guitarist Michael Romeo, their albums The Divine Wings of Tragedy and V: The New Mythology Suite have given the band considerable attention within the progressive metal community...
), Jeff Martin
Jeff Martin (American musician)
Jeff Martin is a singer and drummer who has sung for the bands Surgical Steel, Racer X, Leatherwolf, and played drums for the bands Badlands, Blindside Blues Band, and RedSea....
(of Racer X), Mark Boals
Mark Boals
Mark Boals is an American rock singer, noted most for his work with Yngwie J. Malmsteen. He was born on December 5, 1958 , in Youngstown, Ohio, United States...
(formerly of Yngwie Malmsteen), Daniel Gildenlöw
Daniel Gildenlöw
Daniel Gildenlöw is a Swedish musician and songwriter. He is best known as a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist for Pain of Salvation, a Swedish progressive metal band. In the band, he is the main songwriter, lead guitar player, and the mastermind behind each album's concept...
(of Pain of Salvation
Pain of Salvation
Pain of Salvation is a Swedish progressive rock band featuring Daniel Gildenlöw, who is the lyricist, chief composer, guitarist, and lead vocalist. Their sound is characterised by powerful, accentuated guitar work, broad vocal range, abrupt switching between heavy and calm passages, intense...
), Liv Kristine
Liv Kristine
Liv Kristine Espenæs Krull , better known as Liv Kristine, is the former vocalist for the band Theatre of Tragedy and current vocalist for the band Leaves' Eyes.- Career :...
(formerly of Theatre of Tragedy
Theatre of Tragedy
Theatre of Tragedy was a Norwegian band from Stavanger, active between 1993 and 2010. They are best known for their earlier albums, which provided a great deal of influence to the gothic metal genre.-Biography:...
), and Edu Falaschi (of Angra).
Labyrinth put the band to work one more time, with big support of Century Media, in Japan good sales with King Records and then in the month of May a tour in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
called "Banzai Tour" in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
and Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
, Japan, Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
, Taichung
Taichung
-Demographics:Taichung’s population was an estimated 1,040,725 in August 2006. There are slightly more females in the city than males.24.32% of residents are children, while 16.63% are young people, 52.68% are middle-age, and 6.73% are elderly....
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, and Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
and also Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
.
After some shows in Italy, Labyrinth played in Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
at More Then Festival 2004 with bands like Lost Horizons
Lost Horizons
Lost Horizons is the second album release from Lemon Jelly, released in October 2002. The album produced two charting singles in the UK, "Space Walk" and "Nice Weather for Ducks". It was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2003...
, Destruction
Destruction (band)
Destruction is a German thrash metal band. They are considered one of the "three kings" of the Teutonic thrash metal scene, the others being Kreator and Sodom...
, and Freedom Call
Freedom Call
Freedom Call is a German power metal band formed in 1998.-Biography:Freedom Call was formed in 1998 by old friends Chris Bay and Daniel Zimmermann during an off-period for the latter's main band, Gamma Ray...
.
On December 9, 2004, they performed a show in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
at Underworld Cadmen together with Dream Evil
Dream Evil
Dream Evil is a heavy metal band from Sweden, assembled and integrated by renowned musical producer Fredrik Nordström in 1999.-Biography:Producer Fredrik Nordström had the ambition of creating a power metal band of his own for a long time, but had difficulty finding anyone with musical ideals...
. One week later Labyrinth signed a deal with the label Arise records.
With Freeman, there was a new look with strength-jackets and more wish of freedom in the lyrics; both for Italian and Jaspanese releases, there is a normal version and one with a bonus DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
.
On February 22, 2005, Labyrinth announced the dates of an Italian tour in support of their upcoming album, Freeman. The tour would consist of, seven total shows, ranging from March 25, 2005 through and including April 16, 2005. The follow-up to 2003's Labyrinth, Freeman was recorded at Elnor Studios and scheduled for release on March 4, 2005 by Arise Records. Freeman was released in March 2005, in which the band showed more aggressive riffs and melodic parts at the same time. The album, was released in 2005 through Arise Records. The Italian version of the album contained the exclusive bonus DVD with a Tokyo show (Banzai Tour 2004), "best of" London Cadmen Underworld (from November 13, 2004), the "L.Y.A.F.H." and "Freeman" videos, pictures and discography.
Later that month on March 21, 2005, Headrush, an Italian hard rock band featuring ex-Dokken
Dokken
Dokken is an American heavy metal and hard rock band formed in 1978. They split up in 1989 but reformed four years later. The group accumulated numerous charting singles and has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide...
guitarist Alex De Rosso and Labyrinth singer Roberto Tiranti, released their debut album in Europe via Frontiers Records
Frontiers Records
Frontiers Records is an Italian record label, predominantly producing melodic rock. It was formed in 1996 by Serafino Perugino and is based in Naples, Italy.-History:...
(and in Japan via King Records). Also, in March 2005 singer Roberto Tiranti appeared on Secret Sphere album "Heart & Anger".
That summer after the Lorca Rock Festival, Labyrinth played a tour in Italy (a total of 17 shows) and supported Dream Theater
Dream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
and Angra
Angra (band)
Angra is a Brazilian metal band from São Paulo, Brazil known for its symphonic interludes, highly technical instrumental playing and Brazilian regional elements.- Biography :...
in Italy for three shows (June 21–23), in Italy (June 21, 2005 in Florence, on June 22, 2005 in Ascoli Piceno
Ascoli Piceno
Ascoli Piceno is a town and comune in the Marche region of Italy, capital of the province of the same name. Its population is c. 51,400.-Geography:...
, and on June 23 in Padova) with Angra. Later, on August 14, 2005, Labyrinth took part in the Metalway Festival in Gernika-Bilbao
Bilbao
Bilbao ) is a Spanish municipality, capital of the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. With a population of 353,187 , it is the largest city of its autonomous community and the tenth largest in Spain...
with bands like Manowar, Saxon
Saxon (band)
Saxon are an English heavy metal band, formed in 1976 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. As front-runners of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, they had 8 UK Top 40 albums in the 1980s including 4 UK Top 10 albums. Saxon also had numerous singles in the Top 20 singles chart...
, Accept
Accept
Accept is a German heavy metal band from the town of Solingen, originally assembled by former vocalist Udo Dirkschneider, guitarist Wolf Hoffmann and bassist Peter Baltes. Their beginnings can be traced back to the late 1960s...
, Motörhead, WASP and more.
2006 started with bad news, Cristiano Bertocchi left the band, to pursue a solo career. After few days of Mattia suggested Roberto to become the new bass player. They played only two shows with this new line up, one at Mesiano in Trento
Trento
Trento is an Italian city located in the Adige River valley in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. It is the capital of Trentino...
and another at the Evolution Festival, then spent the rest of the year writing and recording 6 Days to Nowhere
6 Days to Nowhere
6 Days to Nowhere is Italian power metal band Labyrinth's sixth album, released February 26, 2007 on Scarlet Records.-Track listing:#"Crossroads" – 4:03#"There Is a Way" – 3:36#"Lost" – 4:24#"Mother Earth" – 6:08...
.
In December Heraldry released their album "Delirium", which featured guest vocals by Roberto Tiranti.
In late 2006, Labyrinth signed a record deal with Scarlet Records
Scarlet Records
Scarlet Records is an Italian independent record label based in Milan. It is most notable for featuring two side projects from Soilwork front-man Björn "Speed" Strid, as well as band like Agent Steel, Royal Hunt, Skyclad, Eldritch, Hatesphere, Primevil, Labyrinth, Dark Moor and more. Born in 1998,...
, to release 6 Days to Nowhere. Between February 26, and March 9, the album 6 Days To Nowhere was released worldwide. The album's mastering took place at the famous Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
in London. Following the albums release the band announced a tour of Europe (only one date in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and the rest in Italy) and Japan, between October 27, 2007 and March 2, 2008.
On November 3, 2007 Labyrinth appeared at the Växjö Metal Festival III, in Växjö, Sweden. Also scheduled to appear were Jorn
Jørn Lande
Jørn Lande is a Norwegian hard rock and heavy metal singer who has sold over 2 million records worldwide. He is probably best known for being the lead singer of the power metal band Masterplan.-Biography:...
, Grave
Grave (band)
Grave is a Swedish death metal band that formed in 1986 by vocalist and guitarist Ola Lindgren, who is their only constant member. The band had particular success in the early 1990s, and their first four albums, Into the Grave, You'll Never See..., Soulless and Hating Life, cemented their...
, Heed
Heed
Heed was a Swedish power metal band founded in 2004 by ex-Lost Horizon members Daniel Heiman and Fredrik Olsson . They were joined by drummer Mats Karlsson and bass player Jörgen Olsson, and began recording on their debut album The Call...
, Bloodbound
Bloodbound
Bloodbound is a Swedish heavy metal band formed in 2004. They released their first album, Nosferatu, in 2005 and their second, Book of the Dead, in May 2007. The brainchild of former Street Talk members Fredrik Bergh and Tomas Olsson, the band has also included Michael Bormann , Urban breed and...
, Engel and Pagan's Mind
Pagan's Mind
-Biography:Founded in 2000 from the band Silverspoon by Nils K. Rue, Thorstein Aaby, and Stian Kristoffersen. Pagan's Mind released their first album, Infinity Divine, that same year. The following album, Celestial Entrance, was released in 2002 and was a relatively big success even outside of...
, among others.
Pier Gonella
Pier Gonella
Pier Gonella is a guitarist and a founder member of the Italian heavy metal band Mastercastle and the thrash metal band Necrodeath also.-Biography:...
handled the guitar duties, on the Necrodeath
Necrodeath
Necrodeath is an Italian extreme metal band from Liguria. It is one of the first extreme metal bands originating in Italy. They take inspiration from Slayer, Possessed, Kreator, Celtic Frost and Bathory...
album "Draculea
Draculea (album)
Draculea is the seventh album by Italian Extreme Metal band Necrodeath, released in October 2007 by Scarlet Records.-Track listing:#"V.T.1431" – 4:23#"Smell Of Blood" – 4:54#"Party In Tirgoviste" – 5:44...
" While Pier performed on that album, Roberto Tiranti appeared on Ranfa's album Little Hard Blues. Tiranti appeared on the albums fifth track entitled "It Will Be Not This Blues".
On January 22, 2008, it was announced that Andrea De Paoli would be making a guest appearance on the debut album of Expedition Delta, which is being released by ProgRock Records.
On summer 2008 Pier Gonella
Pier Gonella
Pier Gonella is a guitarist and a founder member of the Italian heavy metal band Mastercastle and the thrash metal band Necrodeath also.-Biography:...
left the band for dedicate himself totally for Necrodeath
Necrodeath
Necrodeath is an Italian extreme metal band from Liguria. It is one of the first extreme metal bands originating in Italy. They take inspiration from Slayer, Possessed, Kreator, Celtic Frost and Bathory...
and his new heavy 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...
band Mastercastle
Mastercastle
Mastercastle is a heavy metal band formed in 2008 in Italy by the guitar player Pier Gonella and the singer Giorgia Gueglio-History:Mastercastle were founded in January 2008 by the guitar player Pier Gonella and the singer Giorgia Gueglio. The pair had several music projects in the past and...
.
On September 11, 2009 Olaf reunites with Labyrinth to record Return to Heaven Denied Pt. II: "A Midnight Autumn's Dream"
Return to Heaven Denied Pt. II: "A Midnight Autumn's Dream"
Return to Heaven Denied Pt. II: "A Midnight Autumn's Dream" is Italian power metal band Labyrinth's seventh album, to be released on July 13, 2010. the album had been announced in 2009...
, a follower of their successful album from 1998
Return to Heaven Denied
Return to Heaven Denied is the second album by Italian power metal band, Labyrinth. It was the first album to feature Rob Tyrant on vocals. On 2010, the band released a follow-up to the album, titled Return to Heaven Denied Pt...
.
Also Drummer Mattia Stancioiu left the band due to musical opinion of the new album Return to Heaven Denied Pt. II: "A Midnight Autumn's Dream
They are currently on tour with Sonata Arctica on their "The Days Of Grays" Tour. (2011)
Demo/EP
- Midnight Resistance (EP) (1994)
- Piece of Time (EP) (1995)
- Timeless Crime (EP) (1999)
Studio Album
- No LimitsNo Limits (Labyrinth album)No Limits is the first full-length album by Italian power metal band, Labyrinth. It was the only album to feature Fabio Lione on vocals.- Track listing :#"Mortal Sin"#"Midnight Resistance"#"Dreamland"#"Piece of Time"#"Vertigo"#"In the Shade"...
(1996) - Return to Heaven DeniedReturn to Heaven DeniedReturn to Heaven Denied is the second album by Italian power metal band, Labyrinth. It was the first album to feature Rob Tyrant on vocals. On 2010, the band released a follow-up to the album, titled Return to Heaven Denied Pt...
(1998) - Sons of Thunder (2000)
- LabyrinthLabyrinth (Labyrinth album)Labyrinth is Labyrinth's self-titled fourth album, released March 4, 2005 on Arise Records.-Track listing:# "The Prophet" - 4:46# "Livin' In A Maze" - 4:38# "This World" - 4:55# "Just Soldier " - 5:27# "Neverending Rest" - 4:54...
(2003) - Freeman (2005)
- 6 Days to Nowhere6 Days to Nowhere6 Days to Nowhere is Italian power metal band Labyrinth's sixth album, released February 26, 2007 on Scarlet Records.-Track listing:#"Crossroads" – 4:03#"There Is a Way" – 3:36#"Lost" – 4:24#"Mother Earth" – 6:08...
(2007) - Return to Heaven Denied Pt. II: "A Midnight Autumn's Dream"Return to Heaven Denied Pt. II: "A Midnight Autumn's Dream"Return to Heaven Denied Pt. II: "A Midnight Autumn's Dream" is Italian power metal band Labyrinth's seventh album, to be released on July 13, 2010. the album had been announced in 2009...
(2010)
Current members
- Roberto Tiranti (Rob Tyrant) - Vocals (1997–present)
- Andrea Cantarelli (Anders Rain) - Guitar (1991–present)
- Carlo Andrea Magnani (Olaf Thorsen) - Guitar (1991–2002, 2009–present)
- Andrea De Paoli (Andrew McPauls) - Keyboard (1997–present)
- Alessandro Bissa - Drums (2010)
- Sergio Pagnacco -Bass
Former Members
- Fabio Tordiglione (Fabio Lione)Fabio LioneFabio Tordiglione is an Italian singer who has sung with many music bands including Rhapsody of Fire, Labyrinth, Ayreon, Vision Divine and Athena, and as a touring lead singer with American band Kamelot...
- Lead Vocals (1991–1996) - Andrea Bartoletti - Bass (1991–1994)
- Pier GonellaPier GonellaPier Gonella is a guitarist and a founder member of the Italian heavy metal band Mastercastle and the thrash metal band Necrodeath also.-Biography:...
- Guitar (2003–2009) - Cristiano Bertocchi(Chris Breeze) - Bass (1995–2006)
- Franco Rubulotta (Frank Andiver) - Drums (1991–1996)
- Luca Contini (Ken Taylor) - Keyboard(1991–1996)
- Morby - Vocals (1998–1999)
- Mattia Stancioiu (Mat Stancioiu) - Drums (1997–2010)
External links
- Official website
- Roberto Tiranti official website
- Andrea De Paoli official website
- Pier Gonella official website
- Andrea Cantarelli 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....
- Pier Gonella 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....