Skylark (Italian band)
Encyclopedia
Skylark is an Italian power metal
band founded in 1994 by Eddy Antonini and is still active today.
In 1999, they released the first of a two album project, The Divine Gates; the second half was released the following year. The group had several of their albums released in Japan, where they found critical success, particularly in the music magazine Burrn!
. They toured Europe in 2000 playing in Germany and headlined at the Rock Machina 2000 festival in Spain. After 2001's The Princess Day, the group embarked on a world tour, including dates in Japan. The group then went on a short hiatus, returning in 2004 with Wings, featuring Kiara the new vocalist. After three albums on Scarlet Records
, they contracted with Underground Symphony again in 2006. In 2007, they continued the Divine Gates project with a third release "The last gate". In 2007 "The last gate" hit the HMV Japanese Rock and Pop charts at #3 only behind Bon Jovi
and Dream Theater
staying in the Top 50 for several weeks. In January 2008, Skylark played the longest Pan China tour of History for a western band. They played seven headliner shows touching even Haerbin capital of Chinese Siberia, plus one supporting gig with Nightwish
and Dream Theater
in Beijing and one supporting gig in Shanghai with Nightwish
.
In May 2008 Skylark played for the first time in the United States and recorded a live DVD of their performance in Phoenix Arizona. This DVD "Divine gates part IV The Live Gate" hit position #4 in the HMV Japanese charts only behind Iron Maiden
, Rolling Stones and Britney Spears
.
Skylark as of 2009 played 4 tours in Japan.
The band is now working on a new record which includes some old tracks re-registred plus some new songs. David De Feis will appear on this record dueting with Kiara in the song "Symbol of freedom".
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 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 the Storm, the first of a series of yearly releases. From 1996 they released on the Italian label Underground Symphony. The 1997 released Dragon's Secrets received several positive reviews in metal magazines. Antonini also recorded a solo effort, When Water Became Ice, in 1998 in between Skylark releases.In 1999, they released the first of a two album project, The Divine Gates; the second half was released the following year. The group had several of their albums released in Japan, where they found critical success, particularly in the music 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...
. They toured Europe in 2000 playing in Germany and headlined at the Rock Machina 2000 festival in Spain. After 2001's The Princess Day, the group embarked on a world tour, including dates in Japan. The group then went on a short hiatus, returning in 2004 with Wings, featuring Kiara the new vocalist. After three albums on 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,...
, they contracted with Underground Symphony again in 2006. In 2007, they continued the Divine Gates project with a third release "The last gate". In 2007 "The last gate" hit the HMV Japanese Rock and Pop charts at #3 only behind Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
and 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...
staying in the Top 50 for several weeks. In January 2008, Skylark played the longest Pan China tour of History for a western band. They played seven headliner shows touching even Haerbin capital of Chinese Siberia, plus one supporting gig with Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. Formed in 1996 by songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former vocalist Tarja Turunen, Nightwish's current line-up has five members, although Tarja has been replaced by Anette Olzon and the...
and 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...
in Beijing and one supporting gig in Shanghai with Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. Formed in 1996 by songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former vocalist Tarja Turunen, Nightwish's current line-up has five members, although Tarja has been replaced by Anette Olzon and the...
.
In May 2008 Skylark played for the first time in the United States and recorded a live DVD of their performance in Phoenix Arizona. This DVD "Divine gates part IV The Live Gate" hit position #4 in the HMV Japanese charts only behind Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
, Rolling Stones and Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
.
Skylark as of 2009 played 4 tours in Japan.
The band is now working on a new record which includes some old tracks re-registred plus some new songs. David De Feis will appear on this record dueting with Kiara in the song "Symbol of freedom".
Albums
- 1995: The Horizon & The Storm (self production)
- 1997: Dragon's Secret (Underground Symphony, Meldac Japan, Rock Empire Taiwan re-mastered)
- 1999: Divine Gates part I: Gate of Hell (Underground Symphony, Hot Rockin Japan, Magnum Music Taiwan, CD Maximum Russia, Pony Canyon South Korea)
- 2000: Divine Gates part II: Gate of Heaven (Underground Symphony/Pick up/SPV/Metal Blade, Hot Rockin Japan,Magnum Music Taiwan, CD Maximum Russia, Dark Age Thailand tape version, Pony Canyon South Korea)
- 2002: The Princess' Day (Underground Symphony/Pick up, Hot Rockin Japan,Magnum Music Taiwan, CD Maximum Russia, Pony Canyon South Korea)
- 2004: WingsWings (Skylark album)Wings is an album by the italian power metal band Skylark. It was released in May 2006 by Scarlet Records.- Track listing :#Rainbow in the Dark - 09:07 #Summer of 2001 - 05:12 #Another Reason to Believe - 05:26 #Belzebú, Part 2 - 09:36...
(Scarlet Records/Audioglobe, Soundholic/Tokuma, Nems Argentina, CD Maximum Russia, Evolution South Korea, Rock Empire Taiwan, Renaissance/Koch Epic re-mastered) - 2005: Fairytales (Scarlet Records/Audioglobe, Soundholic/Tokuma, CD Maximum Russia, Evolution South Korea, Rock Empire Taiwan, Renaissance/Koch Epic)
- 2007: Divine Gates part III: The Last Gate (Underground Symphony/Audioglobe, Soundholic/Tokuma, Renaissance/Koch Epic, Rock Empire Taiwan, Melodic Pia KOrea)
- 2009: Divine Gates part IV: the Live Gate (Underground Symphony, Soundholic/First, Renaissance/Koch Epic)
Current members
- Kiara Laetitia - vocals
- Roberto "Brodo" Potenti - bass guitarBass (instrument)Bass describes musical instruments that produce tones in the low-pitched range. They belong to different families of instruments and can cover a wide range of musical roles...
- Eddy Antonini - keyboard, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, harpsichordHarpsichordA harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed.In the narrow sense, "harpsichord" designates only the large wing-shaped instruments in which the strings are perpendicular to the keyboard...
Former members
- Fabio Dozzo - vocals/backing vocals
- Nico Tordini - guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
- Carlos Cantatore - 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 ....
- Francesco Meles - 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 ....
- Federico Ria - 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 ....