Oliver Hartmann
Encyclopedia
Oliver Hartmann is a German
metal
vocalist, guitarist
, songwriter
, and producer
who performed in various acts, either as guitarist, solo or choir singer. He is best known for his role as founder of the band At Vance
(together with Olaf Lenk
), his actual band Hartmann and his guest appearances on albums of several prominent metal bands, including Freedom Call
, Edguy
, Rhapsody
, Genius rock opera, Aina
's metal opera Days of Rising Doom and the metal opera Avantasia
where he participated as a vocalist in 4 albums and also as a guitarist of the live and studio line up.
Hartmann began his career as guitarist
in several local bands but since the age of 18 concentrated more on his singing. Among others he played in bands as Hanz Damf, Tuned, and Centers, the latter with which he made his first international appearances. He reached his first success with At Vance, in which he sang from 1999 to 2002. Since leaving At Vance on personal reasons he concentrated mostly on his solo career and on studio recording. So far he has recorded four solo albums, Out in the Cold, which was released in 2005 on the Italian Frontiers Records
label, on which he also plays guitar
s, Home, which was released in early 2007, the live acoustic DVD/CD Handmade and the latest release 3 in late 2009. Hartmann currently also sings in Italian band Empty Tremor, which was a support act for Dream Theater
during a 2004 tour in Italy. With his band Hartmann he also supported TOTO
during their European tour 2006, House of Lords and The Hooters in 2007, and now Uriah Heep in early 2010.
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...
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...
vocalist, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, and producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
who performed in various acts, either as guitarist, solo or choir singer. He is best known for his role as founder of the band At Vance
At Vance
At Vance is a German power metal/Neo-classical metal band. They were formed by vocalist Oliver Hartmann and guitarist Olaf Lenk in 1998.-Biography:...
(together with Olaf Lenk
At Vance
At Vance is a German power metal/Neo-classical metal band. They were formed by vocalist Oliver Hartmann and guitarist Olaf Lenk in 1998.-Biography:...
), his actual band Hartmann and his guest appearances on albums of several prominent metal bands, including 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...
, Edguy
Edguy
-Demos, AFM years :Edguy was founded in 1992 by 14-year-old students Tobias Sammet, Jens Ludwig, Dominik Storch and Dirk Sauer. The name "Edguy" was an affectionate epithet for Mr. Edgar Siedschlag, their math teacher at the time. In 1994, the band released two demos, Evil Minded and Children of...
, Rhapsody
Rhapsody
Rhapsody may refer to:* Rhapsody , an enthusiastic instrumental composition of indefinite form* A work of epic poetry, or part of one, that is suitable for recitation at one time...
, Genius rock opera, Aina
Aina (band)
Aina is a progressive metal supergroup, containing members from all over the world and from all strands of metal and hard rock. Together they created the metal opera Days of Rising Doom, which was released in 2003 by Transmission/The End Records....
's metal opera Days of Rising Doom and the metal opera Avantasia
Avantasia
Avantasia is a heavy metal project created by Tobias Sammet, vocalist and frontman of the band Edguy. The project's title is a portmanteau of the words "avalon" and "fantasia" and describes "a world beyond human imagination"...
where he participated as a vocalist in 4 albums and also as a guitarist of the live and studio line up.
Hartmann began his career as guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
in several local bands but since the age of 18 concentrated more on his singing. Among others he played in bands as Hanz Damf, Tuned, and Centers, the latter with which he made his first international appearances. He reached his first success with At Vance, in which he sang from 1999 to 2002. Since leaving At Vance on personal reasons he concentrated mostly on his solo career and on studio recording. So far he has recorded four solo albums, Out in the Cold, which was released in 2005 on the Italian 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:...
label, on which he also plays guitar
Guitar
The 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...
s, Home, which was released in early 2007, the live acoustic DVD/CD Handmade and the latest release 3 in late 2009. Hartmann currently also sings in Italian band Empty Tremor, which was a support act for 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...
during a 2004 tour in Italy. With his band Hartmann he also supported TOTO
Toto (band)
Toto is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. The group currently consists of Joseph Williams , David Paich , Steve Porcaro , Steve Lukather , Mike Porcaro , and Simon Phillips . Toto is known for a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard...
during their European tour 2006, House of Lords and The Hooters in 2007, and now Uriah Heep in early 2010.
At Vance
- No Escape (1999)
- Heart of Steel (2000)
- Dragonchaser (2001)
- Only Human (2002)
Avantasia
- The Metal OperaThe Metal OperaThe Metal Opera is the first full-length album by Tobias Sammet's side project opera, Avantasia. It is a concept album and a rock opera, and further information on the story can be found here.- Track listing :All music and lyrics by Tobias Sammet...
(2001) - The Metal Opera Part IIThe Metal Opera Part IIThe Metal Opera Pt. II is the second full-length album by Tobias Sammet's side project opera, Avantasia. It is a concept album and a rock opera, and further information on the story can be found here. The songs carry on the story begun in The Metal Opera, with the same characters...
(2002) - The Scarecrow (2008)
- The Wicked SymphonyThe Wicked Symphony-Track listing: -Personnel:* Tobias Sammet - Lead vocals, Bass guitar, Keyboards, Organ * Sascha Paeth - Guitars, Keyboards, Bass guitar Producer* Eric Singer - Drums * Miro - Keyboards, Orchestration...
(2010) - Angel of BabylonAngel of BabylonAngel of Babylon is the fifth full-length Avantasia album by German power metal vocalist Tobias Sammet, released on April 3, 2010 along with The Wicked Symphony...
(2010) - The Flying OperaThe Flying OperaThe Flying Opera is the first Avantasia live album by German power metal vocalist Tobias Sammet, released in March 2011. It was recorded during their first world tour in 2008, in support of the album The Scarecrow.-Tracklist:DVDDisc 1...
(live album) (2011)
Other appearances
- EdguyEdguy-Demos, AFM years :Edguy was founded in 1992 by 14-year-old students Tobias Sammet, Jens Ludwig, Dominik Storch and Dirk Sauer. The name "Edguy" was an affectionate epithet for Mr. Edgar Siedschlag, their math teacher at the time. In 1994, the band released two demos, Evil Minded and Children of...
- MandrakeMandrake (album)Mandrake, released in 2001, is the fifth album by German power metal band Edguy. It is a varied album, exploring many styles of the power metal genre. It was their last studio album for AFM Records...
(2001) - GeniusGeniusGenius is something or someone embodying exceptional intellectual ability, creativity, or originality, typically to a degree that is associated with the achievement of unprecedented insight....
- Episode I (2002) - Rhapsody - Rain of a Thousand FlamesRain of a Thousand FlamesRain of a Thousand Flames is the fourth studio album released by Rhapsody in 2001. It tells a part of the Emerald Sword Saga, but it is a parallel episode that is not essential to the story, taking place shortly after Dawn of Victory. While the Warrior of Ice is away, Akron uses the newly acquired...
(2002) - Rhapsody - Power of the DragonflamePower of the DragonflamePower of the Dragonflame is the fifth album studio released by Rhapsody in 2002 and is the last chapter in the Emerald Sword Saga.-Track listing:#"In Tenebris" – 1:29#"Knightrider of Doom" – 3:57#"Power of the Dragonflame" – 4:27...
(2002) - Squealer - Under the Cross (2002)
- AinaAina (band)Aina is a progressive metal supergroup, containing members from all over the world and from all strands of metal and hard rock. Together they created the metal opera Days of Rising Doom, which was released in 2003 by Transmission/The End Records....
- Days of Rising DoomDays of Rising DoomDays of Rising Doom is the debut album and metal opera by the Progressive metal supergroup Aina released on September 25, 2003. The concept was created and the story and lyrics were written by Amanda Somerville...
(2003) - Freedom CallFreedom CallFreedom 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...
- The Circle of Life (2002) - Freedom CallFreedom CallFreedom 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...
- Eternity (2005) - EdguyEdguy-Demos, AFM years :Edguy was founded in 1992 by 14-year-old students Tobias Sammet, Jens Ludwig, Dominik Storch and Dirk Sauer. The name "Edguy" was an affectionate epithet for Mr. Edgar Siedschlag, their math teacher at the time. In 1994, the band released two demos, Evil Minded and Children of...
- Hellfire ClubHellfire Club (album)Hellfire Club, released April 6, 2004, is the sixth album by German power metal band Edguy. The music of the band is supported by a German orchestra, the Deutsches Filmorchester Babelsberg....
(2004) - GeniusGeniusGenius is something or someone embodying exceptional intellectual ability, creativity, or originality, typically to a degree that is associated with the achievement of unprecedented insight....
- Episode II: In Search Of The Little Prince (2004) - HelloweenHelloweenHelloween 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...
- Keeper of the Seven Keys - The LegacyKeeper of the Seven Keys - The LegacyKeeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy is the eleventh studio album by German power metal band Helloween, released October 31, 2005. The musicians, Andi Deris , Michael Weikath , Markus Grosskopf , Sascha Gerstner and new addition Dani Löble , see this recording in direct context with their 1987 and...
(2005) - EdguyEdguy-Demos, AFM years :Edguy was founded in 1992 by 14-year-old students Tobias Sammet, Jens Ludwig, Dominik Storch and Dirk Sauer. The name "Edguy" was an affectionate epithet for Mr. Edgar Siedschlag, their math teacher at the time. In 1994, the band released two demos, Evil Minded and Children of...
- Rocket RideRocket Ride- Personnel :*Tobias Sammet - vocals*Jens Ludwig - guitar*Dirk Sauer - guitar*Tobias "Eggi" Exxel - bass*Felix Bohnke - drumsWith:*Amanda Somerville - Backing Vocals*Oliver Hartmann - Backing Vocals*Ralf Zdiarstek - Backing Vocals...
(2006) - LunaticaLunaticaLunatica is a symphonic metal band from band that was formed in Suhr, Switzerland. Lunatica was formed in the winter of 1998. The band consists of Andrea Dätwyler , Sandro D’Incau , Emilio Barrantes , Alex Seiberl , and Ronny Wolf...
- The Edge of Infinity (2006) - EdguyEdguy-Demos, AFM years :Edguy was founded in 1992 by 14-year-old students Tobias Sammet, Jens Ludwig, Dominik Storch and Dirk Sauer. The name "Edguy" was an affectionate epithet for Mr. Edgar Siedschlag, their math teacher at the time. In 1994, the band released two demos, Evil Minded and Children of...
- Tinnitus SanctusTinnitus SanctusTinnitus Sanctus is the eighth studio album by German power metal band Edguy, released on November 14th, 2008 on Nuclear Blast. It continues with the hard rock trends heard on their previous album Rocket Ride and the power metal elements found on previous albums.The album was released in several...
(2008) - Magic KingdomMagic KingdomMagic Kingdom Park is one of four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort located near Orlando, Florida. The first park built at the resort, Magic Kingdom opened Oct. 1, 1971. Designed and built by WED Enterprises, the park's layout and attractions are similar to Disneyland in Anaheim, California...
- Metallic Tragedy (2004) - Iron MaskIron Mask (band)Iron Mask is a neoclassical/power metal band formed in 2002 by belgian guitarist Dushan Petrossi, also known from the symphonic metal band Magic Kingdom.-Revenge Is My Name :...
- Hordes of the BraveHordes of the BraveHordes of the Brave is the second sudio album by belgian band Iron Mask, released on april 22, 2005 by Lion Music. All songs were composed by Dushan Petrossi.-Track listing:# "Holy War" – 5:12# "Freedom's Blood - The Patriot" – 4:31# "Time" – 5:08...
(2005) - HeavenlyHeavenlyHeavenly may refer to:In music:* Heavenly , a twee pop band from Oxford, England* Heavenly , a power metal band from Paris, France* Heavenly , released in 1959....
- Carpe Diem (2009) - Iron MaskIron Mask (band)Iron Mask is a neoclassical/power metal band formed in 2002 by belgian guitarist Dushan Petrossi, also known from the symphonic metal band Magic Kingdom.-Revenge Is My Name :...
- Shadow of the Red BaronShadow of the Red BaronShadow of the Red Baron is the third sudio album by belgian band Iron Mask, released on January 15, 2010 by Lion Music. All songs were composed by Dushan Petrossi.-Track listing:# "Shadow of the Red Baron" – 07:04# "Dreams" – 4:32...
(2010)