Riddare av Koden
Encyclopedia
Riddare av Koden is a South African melodic death metal
band from Secunda, formed in October 2006 by brothers Nathan and Daniel Wilson. Formerly known as Elegy, the band had to change its name in November 2009 due to breach of copyright law and were threatened with legal action if the name was not changed. They then became known as Riddare av Koden, when translated from Swedish means "Knights of the Code", and currently perform and release under that name.
with Power Metal
and Folk Metal
characteristics.
With the adoption of Keyboards in 2010 and the noticeable orchestral introductions of certain tracks with occasional Classical and Folk instruments during live performances, the band has been described as having Neoclassical
elements included in their music and more of a Folk Music
feel too.
, the three then began writing songs and looking for a vocalist and bassist. Travis Seager then joined the band as vocalist, having been a close friend of Nathan and Daniel and the four began practicing and auditioning various musicians for the final position needed to complete the band, a bassist
. Kevin Webber, who knew Shay through playing together in previous bands, was asked to join the band temporarily to complete the line-up for their first gig alongside Deity's Muse, Alchemy, and The Frail.
Kevin Webber became a permanent member in the band, and strong friendships began forming between the members of Elegy. After their first gig, the band began work on a 3-track self-titled EP
to gain entry into the local Metal
scene. During this period, Travis Seager decided to part ways with the band to pursue his career as an artist and the band then began auditioning various vocalists. Having found none, decided that they would have to do it themselves. Shay then assumed lead vocal duties and Elegy went into studio for the first time, to record their debut EP
.
In November 2009 the band received a letter from their label, Electromode, stating that they were illegally using the Elegy name which is registered to the Dutch Power Metal
band of the same name. Immediate action had to be taken and thus R.a.K. was born.
May 2010 Riddare av Koden began working with Multi-instrumentalist
and Composer
Steven de Pina and, in September 2010 he was officially welcomed into the band as Keyboardist
and Folk instrumentalist.
Riddare av Koden was the official support act for the Ensiferum
South African tour of October 2010.
In February 2011 Shay Kallie announced on his facebook page that he had resigned as Frontman and Guitarist of the band for personal reasons. Even though the note stated his resignation in a conclusive manner, this was not an official resignation according to the band and shay has since retained his role as Frontman and Guitarist of Riddare av Koden however in April 2011, Daniel Wilson (one of the two founding members) announced his departure from the band. In October 2011, it was officially announced via Facebook and Twitter that Cameron Zuccarelli (ex-Emperium, ex-Necromanteion) will be taking the drummer’s throne.
Riddare av Koden in 2011 took a break from constant live performance and only played exclusive shows and festivals throughout the year, some of which included Thornfest 2011, Bloemfontein's Peter Fest, and their very first International performance in Gaborone, Botswana. The band is currently writing their second full-length album, planned to be released in 2012.
Former members
Melodic death metal
Melodic death metal is a heavy metal music style that combines elements from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal with elements of death metal. The style was developed during the early and mid-1990s, primarily in England and Scandinavia...
band from Secunda, formed in October 2006 by brothers Nathan and Daniel Wilson. Formerly known as Elegy, the band had to change its name in November 2009 due to breach of copyright law and were threatened with legal action if the name was not changed. They then became known as Riddare av Koden, when translated from Swedish means "Knights of the Code", and currently perform and release under that name.
Musical characteristics
Riddare av Koden is musically influenced by a range of Bands and Artists over many different genres. Their music has often been described as hard-hitting guitar driven Melodic Death MetalMelodic death metal
Melodic death metal is a heavy metal music style that combines elements from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal with elements of death metal. The style was developed during the early and mid-1990s, primarily in England and Scandinavia...
with 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...
and Folk Metal
Folk metal
Folk metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that developed in Europe during the 1990s. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal with traditional folk music...
characteristics.
With the adoption of Keyboards in 2010 and the noticeable orchestral introductions of certain tracks with occasional Classical and Folk instruments during live performances, the band has been described as having Neoclassical
Neoclassicism (music)
Neoclassicism in music was a twentieth-century trend, particularly current in the period between the two World Wars, in which composers sought to return to aesthetic precepts associated with the broadly defined concept of "classicism", namely order, balance, clarity, economy, and emotional restraint...
elements included in their music and more of a Folk Music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
feel too.
The Elegy Era (Oct 2006 - Nov 2009)
Elegy was formed in October 2006, by brothers Nathan and Daniel Wilson, who were 17 and 23 at the time. The two brothers began learning and mastering their instruments, and then approached Shay Kallie to assume lead guitar duties, having been friends for years and sharing a passion in Heavy MetalHeavy 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...
, the three then began writing songs and looking for a vocalist and bassist. Travis Seager then joined the band as vocalist, having been a close friend of Nathan and Daniel and the four began practicing and auditioning various musicians for the final position needed to complete the band, a bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
. Kevin Webber, who knew Shay through playing together in previous bands, was asked to join the band temporarily to complete the line-up for their first gig alongside Deity's Muse, Alchemy, and The Frail.
Kevin Webber became a permanent member in the band, and strong friendships began forming between the members of Elegy. After their first gig, the band began work on a 3-track self-titled EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
to gain entry into the local Metal
Metal
A metal , is an element, compound, or alloy that is a good conductor of both electricity and heat. Metals are usually malleable and shiny, that is they reflect most of incident light...
scene. During this period, Travis Seager decided to part ways with the band to pursue his career as an artist and the band then began auditioning various vocalists. Having found none, decided that they would have to do it themselves. Shay then assumed lead vocal duties and Elegy went into studio for the first time, to record their debut EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
.
In November 2009 the band received a letter from their label, Electromode, stating that they were illegally using the Elegy name which is registered to the Dutch 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 of the same name. Immediate action had to be taken and thus R.a.K. was born.
Riddare av Koden era (November 2009 to Present)
Elegy began searching for new names, opening up the debate to fans worldwide. Within a week of receiving the change notice they announced that their new name was to be "Riddare av Koden". The name change caused much controversy between fans and the public, and was announced officially on 16 November 2009.May 2010 Riddare av Koden began working with Multi-instrumentalist
Multi-instrumentalist
A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays a number of different instruments.The Bachelor of Music degree usually requires a second instrument to be learned , but people who double on another instrument are not usually seen as multi-instrumentalists.-Classical music:Music written for Symphony...
and Composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
Steven de Pina and, in September 2010 he was officially welcomed into the band as Keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
and Folk instrumentalist.
Riddare av Koden was the official support act for the Ensiferum
Ensiferum
Ensiferum is a Finnish folk metal band from Helsinki. The members of the band label themselves as "heroic folk metal." Since their formation, Ensiferum has released four full-length albums, one EP, one compilation, three singles, and three demo albums and one unreleased album.-Musical...
South African tour of October 2010.
In February 2011 Shay Kallie announced on his facebook page that he had resigned as Frontman and Guitarist of the band for personal reasons. Even though the note stated his resignation in a conclusive manner, this was not an official resignation according to the band and shay has since retained his role as Frontman and Guitarist of Riddare av Koden however in April 2011, Daniel Wilson (one of the two founding members) announced his departure from the band. In October 2011, it was officially announced via Facebook and Twitter that Cameron Zuccarelli (ex-Emperium, ex-Necromanteion) will be taking the drummer’s throne.
Riddare av Koden in 2011 took a break from constant live performance and only played exclusive shows and festivals throughout the year, some of which included Thornfest 2011, Bloemfontein's Peter Fest, and their very first International performance in Gaborone, Botswana. The band is currently writing their second full-length album, planned to be released in 2012.
Members
Current members- Shay Kallie - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals (2006–present) - Nathan Wilson - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, backing vocals (2006–present) founding member - Steven de Pina - 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...
, low and tin whistleTin whistleThe tin whistle, also called the penny whistle, English Flageolet, Scottish penny whistle, Tin Flageolet, Irish whistle and Clarke London Flageolet is a simple six-holed woodwind instrument. It is an end blown fipple flute, putting it in the same category as the recorder, American Indian flute, and...
, hulusiHulusiThe hulusi or cucurbit flute is a free reed wind instrument from China. It is held vertically and has three bamboo pipes which pass through a gourd wind chest; the center pipe has finger holes and the outer two are typically drone pipes...
, violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
(2010–present) - Kevin Webber - BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals (2006–present) - Cameron Zuccarelli - Drums (2011–present)
Former members
- Daniel Wilson - 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 ....
(2006–2011) Founding Member
Albums
- A Voice Will Call (2009) Rock Finder Magazine ReviewRateyourmusic.com Review
- TBA (2012)