Seven Kingdoms (band)
Encyclopedia
Seven Kingdoms are an American power metal
band from Deland, Florida
. The band was formed in Deland, Florida
in 2007 by guitarist Camden Cruz and vocalist Bryan Edwards, after they parted with their previous band, This Solemn Vow. The band has shifted lineups repeatedly, and currently includes vocalist Sabrina Valentine, guitarist Camden Cruz, guitarist Kevin Byrd, drummer Keith Byrd, and bassist Aaron Sluss.
The band, in an early lineup, recorded their independent debut album, Brothers of the Night, in late 2007. The album was heavily inspired by the writings of fantasy novelist George R.R. Martin. Their second album, Seven Kingdoms, featuring the current lineup, was released by Nightmare Recordings in July 2010.
Since their formation, the band has played several shows throughout the United States and Canada, including international showcase ProgPower USA
in Atlanta, Georgia
(September 2010).
, and the band members chose the name Seven Kingdoms. In August 2007 they recorded their debut album, Brothers of the Night, at Morrisound Studios
in Temple Terrace, Florida
. The album, heavily influenced by Martin's novels, was released independently in November 2007.
For the next year they toured throughout Florida in support of the album. In January 2008, they replaced Aghora
at Florida's Hellstock event. In May 2008 they played at The Maximum Metal Show in St. Petersburg, Florida
.
In early 2009 the band moved in a new direction in preparation for its second album. During the writing of the album, the band ultimately decided that keyboards were not going to be featured, and Zambrotto was released. Edwards and Stene soon left as well. Miles Neff became the new bassist and Sabrina Valentine became the new vocalist. The second album, Seven Kingdoms, was recorded at Morrisound Studios in September 2009. In November 2009 the band signed a worldwide booking and management deal with Intromental Management. They opened for heavy metal band W.A.S.P.
at Club Firestone in Orlando, Florida
in March 2010.
In April 2010, Seven Kingdoms signed a worldwide deal with Nightmare Records for their second album. That month they were the subject of an interview on Beach 92.7
radio and played SwordFest with Cage
. Their second album, Seven Kingdoms, was released in July 2010. It contained 11 songs and featured an appearance by Crimson Glory / Leatherwolf singer Wade Black. Seven Kingdoms played at ProgPower USA
in September 2010, opening the Midweek Mayhem event. That month they parted ways with bassist Miles Neff, who was replaced by Aaron Sluss. They entered regular rotation at Epic Rock Radio.com in October 2010. In November they began The Sacred Worlds and Songs Divine tour, opening for Blind Guardian
and Holy Grail. They also played at Florida Powerfest II, a festival organized by guitarist Camden Cruz, on December 18, 2010. In 2011 they played the Uniting the Powers of Metal Tour along the eastern seaboard along with Artizen, Widow and Creation's End.
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 from Deland, Florida
DeLand, Florida
DeLand is the county seat of Volusia County, Florida. In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population to be 24,375. It is part of the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 436,575 in 2006...
. The band was formed in Deland, Florida
DeLand, Florida
DeLand is the county seat of Volusia County, Florida. In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population to be 24,375. It is part of the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 436,575 in 2006...
in 2007 by guitarist Camden Cruz and vocalist Bryan Edwards, after they parted with their previous band, This Solemn Vow. The band has shifted lineups repeatedly, and currently includes vocalist Sabrina Valentine, guitarist Camden Cruz, guitarist Kevin Byrd, drummer Keith Byrd, and bassist Aaron Sluss.
The band, in an early lineup, recorded their independent debut album, Brothers of the Night, in late 2007. The album was heavily inspired by the writings of fantasy novelist George R.R. Martin. Their second album, Seven Kingdoms, featuring the current lineup, was released by Nightmare Recordings in July 2010.
Since their formation, the band has played several shows throughout the United States and Canada, including international showcase ProgPower USA
ProgPower USA
ProgPower USA is a progressive and power metal festival held annually in the United States since 2001. Its twelfth edition will be held at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia on September 14 – September 17, 2011, with Sanctuary and Therion as headliners....
in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
(September 2010).
History
Camden Cruz and Bryan Edwards formed the band in 2007. The next two members to join were brothers Kevin and Keith Byrd on guitars and drums, respectively. Rounding out the group were John Zambrotto on keyboards, and Cory Stene playing bass. Edwards obtained several possible band names from novelist George R.R. Martin's epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and FireA Song of Ice and Fire
A Song of Ice and Fire is a series of epic fantasy novels by American novelist and screenwriter George R. R. Martin. Martin began writing the series in 1991 and the first volume was published in 1996. Originally planned as a trilogy, the series now consists of five published volumes; a further two...
, and the band members chose the name Seven Kingdoms. In August 2007 they recorded their debut album, Brothers of the Night, at Morrisound Studios
Morrisound Recording
Morrisound Recording is an audio recording facility in Temple Terrace, Florida, owned and operated by brothers Jim and Tom Morris. Since its opening in 1981, Morrisound has been responsible for the popularization of genres such as heavy metal and death metal, but of course caters to every genre of...
in Temple Terrace, Florida
Temple Terrace, Florida
Temple Terrace is an incorporated city in northeastern Hillsborough County, Florida, USA, adjacent to Tampa. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,541. It is the third and smallest incorporated municipality in Hillsborough County...
. The album, heavily influenced by Martin's novels, was released independently in November 2007.
For the next year they toured throughout Florida in support of the album. In January 2008, they replaced Aghora
Aghora (band)
Aghora is a progressive metal/technical metal band formed in 1995 by guitarist Santiago Dobles. In 2000 they released their first album, Aghora, recorded and produced by Santiago Dobles and Dan Escauriza in 1999, Miami, Florida. The album featured Sean Malone and Sean Reinert, both members of Cynic...
at Florida's Hellstock event. In May 2008 they played at The Maximum Metal Show in St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
.
In early 2009 the band moved in a new direction in preparation for its second album. During the writing of the album, the band ultimately decided that keyboards were not going to be featured, and Zambrotto was released. Edwards and Stene soon left as well. Miles Neff became the new bassist and Sabrina Valentine became the new vocalist. The second album, Seven Kingdoms, was recorded at Morrisound Studios in September 2009. In November 2009 the band signed a worldwide booking and management deal with Intromental Management. They opened for heavy metal band W.A.S.P.
W.A.S.P.
W.A.S.P. is an American heavy metal band formed in 1982. They emerged from the same Los Angeles scene that spawned Mötley Crüe, Ratt, Quiet Riot and others. The band's popularity peaked in the 1980s, yet they continue to record and tour, making them one of the most enduring of the West Coast heavy...
at Club Firestone in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
in March 2010.
In April 2010, Seven Kingdoms signed a worldwide deal with Nightmare Records for their second album. That month they were the subject of an interview on Beach 92.7
WBHQ
WBHQ is a radio station licensed to Beverly Beach, Florida, serving Flagler County.The station was assigned the WBHQ call letters by the Federal Communications Commission on February 20, 2009....
radio and played SwordFest with Cage
Cage (band)
Cage is an American heavy metal band from San Diego, California.In early 2010, original bassist Mike Giordano and lead guitarist Anthony Wayne McGuiniss exited the band....
. Their second album, Seven Kingdoms, was released in July 2010. It contained 11 songs and featured an appearance by Crimson Glory / Leatherwolf singer Wade Black. Seven Kingdoms played at ProgPower USA
ProgPower USA
ProgPower USA is a progressive and power metal festival held annually in the United States since 2001. Its twelfth edition will be held at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia on September 14 – September 17, 2011, with Sanctuary and Therion as headliners....
in September 2010, opening the Midweek Mayhem event. That month they parted ways with bassist Miles Neff, who was replaced by Aaron Sluss. They entered regular rotation at Epic Rock Radio.com in October 2010. In November they began The Sacred Worlds and Songs Divine tour, opening for 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...
and Holy Grail. They also played at Florida Powerfest II, a festival organized by guitarist Camden Cruz, on December 18, 2010. In 2011 they played the Uniting the Powers of Metal Tour along the eastern seaboard along with Artizen, Widow and Creation's End.