Mekong Delta (band)
Encyclopedia
Mekong Delta is a German progressive
/thrash metal
band, formed in 1985.
in Vietnam
. The entire project was started by Ralf Hubert, sound-engineer for Warlock
, Steeler
and Living Death
, and owner of the record label "Aaarrg".
The first demos are recorded with the following line-up:
Jochen Schröder did not fit in and was soon replaced by Living Death
guitarists Reiner Kelch and Frank Fricke. When Wagner later left the project, Hubert overtook the bass guitar duties. Since the band was deliberately shrouded in mystery, all participants assumed artist names and the line-up of the debut album looked like this:
EP "The Gnome".
Mekong Delta returned to the studio around new year 1987-1988, and recorded the concept album "The Music of Erich Zann", with the same line-up, again produced by Hubert. Due to, or because of, the chosen obfuscated identities the band's big breakthrough does not happen.
Reiner Kelch was replaced by Uwe Baltrusch, who used the name Mark Kaye, and at the end of 1988 Mekong Delta releases the 12-inch EP "Toccata", and in the spring of 1989 "The Principle of Doubt
" is released. Fricke then leaves the band to focus on other musical styles, and the group decided not to replace him, as Baltrusch was able to play all guitar parts himself.
During this period the band composed "Rondo for Rockgroup", ultimately released as "Dances of Death". While recording the album, Wolfgang Borgmann left the band because he couldn't identify himself with the material of this album. He was replaced by the American Doug Lee, former singer of Siren
. This line-up finished recording the album "Dances of Death (and Other Walking Shadows)
". The album included an arrangement of Modest Mussorgsky
's tone poem Night on Bald Mountain
. After recording this album, Jörg Michael left the band and was replaced by Swiss drummer Peter Haas.
, including the Netherlands
and Germany
. The CD "Live at an Exhibition" was recorded on the 13th of October in Germany. Guitarist Georg Syrmbos was hired to be able to perform the songs live.
"Kaleidoscope", released in 1992, contains a cover version of "Dance on a Volcano" originally by prog-rock band "Genesis
". The 1993 collection "Classics" contains nearly all classical pieces Hubert arranged for the band. The only classical track missing on this album is "Sabre Dance", which can be found on the previous "Kaleidoscope" album.
In 1994 Mekong Delta released "Visions Fugitives". The compositions are somewhat similar to "The Principle of Doubt" and "Dances of Death". The album also contains a classically oriented, six part track.
After a two year break the band released "Pictures at an Exhibition
" in 1997. The album contained the title piece by classical composer Modest Mussorgski
, arranged for the band. The tracks was included twice; the first 16 tracks are played by the band, while the last 16 tracks include the band and orchestra. Because the album is completely instrumental, Doug is not mentioned on the album. Shortly thereafter a CD-ROM was released including information about Mekong Delta, Modest Mussorgski and various fan-related info.
or Turkey
, or even that he had died. At the end of 2005 Hubert was brought in contact with guitarist Peter Lake from Swedish metal formation Theory In Practice
and the project re-started. At first Peter Haas agreed to return as drummer of the project, but he later resigned. Erstwhile member Uli Kusch stepped in as drummer. A singer was being sought and enough material seemed to be ready for a new album. Former Crows and Wolf Spider singer Leo Szpigiel was added to the line-up. This line-up recorded the album "Lurking Fear
", which was released on August 31, 2007. Due to the busy time schedule of the members, planning tour dates became virtually impossible. Halfway 2008 Ralf decided to look for members who were able to tour with the band. Very soon (thanks to Uli Kusch) Alexander Landenburg was recruited as the new drummer. Martin LeMar followed soon after to take care of the vocals. Benedict and Erik were added as guitarists to complete the band. In 2009 plans were made to record a new studio album with the line-up that came to be and in June 2010 "Wanderer on the edge of time" was released into the world. Also a video clip was made of the song "King with broken crown".
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
/thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band, formed in 1985.
History
The band was founded by a group of German metal musicians with the goal to 'musically outshine' all then-current, independent releases. The line-up and the history of the group was to be "the best kept secret in the world". The project participants decide to keep everything about the band a secret, assuming German musicians would not be accepted internationally. The initial name "Zardoz" was rejected, followed by the acceptance of the name "Mekong Delta", named after a riverbedMekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is the region in southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea through a network of distributaries. The Mekong delta region encompasses a large portion of southwestern Vietnam of . The size of the area covered by water depends on the season.The...
in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
. The entire project was started by Ralf Hubert, sound-engineer for Warlock
Warlock (band)
Warlock was a German heavy metal band, assembled in 1982. The band gained some commercial success in the mid 1980s. By the end of the decade, singer Doro Pesch was the sole original member who remained in the band, and thus proceeded to form Doro, a band that was essentially a continuation of...
, Steeler
Steeler (German)
Steeler was a heavy metal band formed in 1981, from the German city of Bochum. The band was active between 1984-1988. The founding members consisted of Peter Burtz on vocals, Axel Rudi Pell on guitar, Tom Eder also on guitar, Volker Krawczak on bass and Jan Yildiral on drums.The band released two...
and Living Death
Living Death
Living Death was a German heavy metal band from Velbert, whose career spanned from the early 1980s until the early 1990s.-Biography:Living Death was formed in 1980 in Velbert, Germany by Reiner and Dieter Kelch, and Frank Fricke, starting out as a simple heavy metal band...
, and owner of the record label "Aaarrg".
The first demos are recorded with the following line-up:
- Jochen Schröder (ex-RageRage (band)Rage are a German heavy metal band, formed in 1984. They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene to emerge in the early to mid 1980s, along with bands such as Helloween, Running Wild and Blind Guardian.-Background:...
) – guitar - Peavy Wagner (RageRage (band)Rage are a German heavy metal band, formed in 1984. They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene to emerge in the early to mid 1980s, along with bands such as Helloween, Running Wild and Blind Guardian.-Background:...
) – bass - Jörg Michael (ex-RageRage (band)Rage are a German heavy metal band, formed in 1984. They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene to emerge in the early to mid 1980s, along with bands such as Helloween, Running Wild and Blind Guardian.-Background:...
and Paganini) – drums - Wolfgang Borgmann – vocals
Jochen Schröder did not fit in and was soon replaced by Living Death
Living Death
Living Death was a German heavy metal band from Velbert, whose career spanned from the early 1980s until the early 1990s.-Biography:Living Death was formed in 1980 in Velbert, Germany by Reiner and Dieter Kelch, and Frank Fricke, starting out as a simple heavy metal band...
guitarists Reiner Kelch and Frank Fricke. When Wagner later left the project, Hubert overtook the bass guitar duties. Since the band was deliberately shrouded in mystery, all participants assumed artist names and the line-up of the debut album looked like this:
- Björn Eklund (real name Ralf Hubert) on Bass/Acoustic guitar
- Gordon Perkins (real name Jörg Michael) on Drums/Percussion
- Rolf Stein (real name Frank Fricke) on Guitar/Backing vocals
- Vincent St. Johns (real name Reiner Kelch) on Guitar/Backing vocals
- Keil (real name Wolfgang Borgmann) on Vocals/Stick
Debut album
The debut album "Mekong Delta" was released in 1987, produced by Ralf Hubert. Due to touring duties with his current band, Jörg Michael was replaced by Uli Kusch (using the name Patrick Duval) for the shortly thereafter following picture discPicture disc
Picture discs are gramophone records that show images on their playing surface, rather than being of plain black or coloured vinyl.-Development:...
EP "The Gnome".
Mekong Delta returned to the studio around new year 1987-1988, and recorded the concept album "The Music of Erich Zann", with the same line-up, again produced by Hubert. Due to, or because of, the chosen obfuscated identities the band's big breakthrough does not happen.
Reiner Kelch was replaced by Uwe Baltrusch, who used the name Mark Kaye, and at the end of 1988 Mekong Delta releases the 12-inch EP "Toccata", and in the spring of 1989 "The Principle of Doubt
The Principle of Doubt
The Principle of Doubt is the 3rd album from progressive/thrash metal band Mekong Delta, released in 1989.-Track listing:# A Question of Trust - 3:27# The Principle of Doubt - 4:48# Once I Believed - 4:30# Ever Since Time Began - 4:25...
" is released. Fricke then leaves the band to focus on other musical styles, and the group decided not to replace him, as Baltrusch was able to play all guitar parts himself.
During this period the band composed "Rondo for Rockgroup", ultimately released as "Dances of Death". While recording the album, Wolfgang Borgmann left the band because he couldn't identify himself with the material of this album. He was replaced by the American Doug Lee, former singer of Siren
Siren
In Greek mythology, the Sirens were three dangerous mermaid like creatures, portrayed as seductresses who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island. Roman poets placed them on an island called Sirenum scopuli...
. This line-up finished recording the album "Dances of Death (and Other Walking Shadows)
Dances of Death (and Other Walking Shadows)
Dances of Death is the 4th album from progressive/thrash metal band Mekong Delta, released in 1990-Track listing:# Dances of Death - 19:11#*Introduction - 1:11 #*Eruption - 1:34...
". The album included an arrangement of Modest Mussorgsky
Modest Mussorgsky
Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky was a Russian composer, one of the group known as 'The Five'. He was an innovator of Russian music in the romantic period...
's tone poem Night on Bald Mountain
Night on Bald Mountain
Night on Bald Mountain is a composition by Modest Mussorgsky that exists in, at least, two versions—a seldom performed 1867 version or a later and very popular "fantasy for orchestra" arranged by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, A Night on the Bare Mountain , based on the vocal score of the "Dream Vision...
. After recording this album, Jörg Michael left the band and was replaced by Swiss drummer Peter Haas.
Live performances
Around this time the self-imposed mystery surrounding the project was fading and in October 1991 they started touring parts of EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, including the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The CD "Live at an Exhibition" was recorded on the 13th of October in Germany. Guitarist Georg Syrmbos was hired to be able to perform the songs live.
"Kaleidoscope", released in 1992, contains a cover version of "Dance on a Volcano" originally by prog-rock band "Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
". The 1993 collection "Classics" contains nearly all classical pieces Hubert arranged for the band. The only classical track missing on this album is "Sabre Dance", which can be found on the previous "Kaleidoscope" album.
In 1994 Mekong Delta released "Visions Fugitives". The compositions are somewhat similar to "The Principle of Doubt" and "Dances of Death". The album also contains a classically oriented, six part track.
After a two year break the band released "Pictures at an Exhibition
Pictures at an Exhibition
Pictures at an Exhibition is a suite in ten movements composed for piano by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky in 1874.The suite is Mussorgsky's most famous piano composition, and has become a showpiece for virtuoso pianists...
" in 1997. The album contained the title piece by classical composer Modest Mussorgski
Modest Mussorgsky
Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky was a Russian composer, one of the group known as 'The Five'. He was an innovator of Russian music in the romantic period...
, arranged for the band. The tracks was included twice; the first 16 tracks are played by the band, while the last 16 tracks include the band and orchestra. Because the album is completely instrumental, Doug is not mentioned on the album. Shortly thereafter a CD-ROM was released including information about Mekong Delta, Modest Mussorgski and various fan-related info.
Hiatus and regrouping
In 1997 and 1998 the first six studio albums were remixed by Erik Adam H Grösch and Hubert and re-released. Some albums were sonically improved, others were hardly changed. After this the band went on a long hiatus. Rumors started circulating that Hubert had fled to GreeceGreece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
or Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, or even that he had died. At the end of 2005 Hubert was brought in contact with guitarist Peter Lake from Swedish metal formation Theory In Practice
Theory in Practice
Theory in Practice is a Swedish technical death metal band founded in 1995, which borrows heavily from progressive metal. The band writes technical and complex songs consisting of a lot of time and tempo changes. After a year of rehearsals and gigs, they recorded a demo called Submissive in the...
and the project re-started. At first Peter Haas agreed to return as drummer of the project, but he later resigned. Erstwhile member Uli Kusch stepped in as drummer. A singer was being sought and enough material seemed to be ready for a new album. Former Crows and Wolf Spider singer Leo Szpigiel was added to the line-up. This line-up recorded the album "Lurking Fear
Lurking Fear
For the H. P. Lovecraft story, see The Lurking FearLurking Fear is the eighth album from progressive/thrash metal band Mekong Delta, released in August 2007.-Track listing:# "Society in Dissolution" – 4:56# "Purification" – 5:06...
", which was released on August 31, 2007. Due to the busy time schedule of the members, planning tour dates became virtually impossible. Halfway 2008 Ralf decided to look for members who were able to tour with the band. Very soon (thanks to Uli Kusch) Alexander Landenburg was recruited as the new drummer. Martin LeMar followed soon after to take care of the vocals. Benedict and Erik were added as guitarists to complete the band. In 2009 plans were made to record a new studio album with the line-up that came to be and in June 2010 "Wanderer on the edge of time" was released into the world. Also a video clip was made of the song "King with broken crown".
Line-up
- Martin LeMar - Vocals (2008–present)
- Ralph Hubert - Bass (1985–present)
- Erik Adam H. Grösch - Guitars (2008–present)
- Benedikt Zimniak - Guitars (2008–present)
- Alex Landenburg - Drums
Vocals
- Wolfgang Borgmann - (1987–1990)
- Doug Lee - (1990–1994)
- Leo Szpigiel - (2007–2008)
Guitars
- Jochen Schröder - (-1987)
- Frank Fricke - (1987–1989)
- Reiner Kelch - (1987–1988)
- Uwe Baltrusch - (1989–1996)
- Georg Syrmbos - (1991)
- Peter Lake - (2006–2007)
Drums
- Uli KuschUli KuschUlrich Kusch, born 11 March 1967, is a heavy metal drummer. He is best known for playing with Helloween, Gamma Ray, and Masterplan. He is known for his technical style of playing, fast-paced speed metal-like rhythm and capable songwriting abilities.-Biography:...
- (1988)(2007) - Jörg MichaelJörg MichaelJörg Michael is a German drummer. He is well-known for his time in the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius and several other bands....
- (1987–1990) - Peter Haas -(1991–2006)
Studio albums
- Mekong Delta (1987)
- The Music of Erich Zann (1988)
- The Principle of DoubtThe Principle of DoubtThe Principle of Doubt is the 3rd album from progressive/thrash metal band Mekong Delta, released in 1989.-Track listing:# A Question of Trust - 3:27# The Principle of Doubt - 4:48# Once I Believed - 4:30# Ever Since Time Began - 4:25...
(1989) - Dances of Death (and Other Walking Shadows)Dances of Death (and Other Walking Shadows)Dances of Death is the 4th album from progressive/thrash metal band Mekong Delta, released in 1990-Track listing:# Dances of Death - 19:11#*Introduction - 1:11 #*Eruption - 1:34...
(1990) - Kaleidoscope (1992)
- Visions Fugitives (1994)
- Pictures at an Exhibition (1997)
- Lurking FearLurking FearFor the H. P. Lovecraft story, see The Lurking FearLurking Fear is the eighth album from progressive/thrash metal band Mekong Delta, released in August 2007.-Track listing:# "Society in Dissolution" – 4:56# "Purification" – 5:06...
(2007) - Wanderer on the Edge of TimeWanderer on the Edge of TimeWanderer on the Edge of Time is the 9th album from progressive/thrash metal band Mekong Delta, released in June, 2010.-Track listing:# Intro - Concert Guitar - 02:18# Ouverture - 02:50# "A certain fool" // Movement 1 - 03:37...
(2010)