Sun Caged
Encyclopedia
Sun Caged is a progressive metal
band originating in The Netherlands. Sun Caged was formed by ex-Lemur Voice guitarist Marcel Coenen and drummer Dennis Leeflang
in the spring of 1999. Taking influences from artists in the metal genre such as Dream Theater
, and even Iron Maiden
, Sun Caged has a unique sound which also incorporates influences from jazz
and fusion
. They have performed as support acts for bands such as Vanden Plas
, Queensrÿche
, Spock's Beard
, and Fates Warning
. Currently, the band has a self-titled
studio album
which was released on October 22, 2003 and a second album, Artemisia
, which was released on March 23, 2007. Both albums received critical acclaim from the media.
The style stated by the band on their 2000 demo was rather experimental, with the use of female vocals, death growl
s, some melodic vocals with a touch of groove.
After the release of their debut album the line up of Sun Caged changed considerably. When the recordings of Artemisia had started, Coenen was the only band member left from the original line up. Leeflang left shortly after the release of the band's debut to pursue a musical career in New York and was replaced by Roel van Helden. After singer André Vuurboom left to form Sphere Of Souls he was replaced by the American Paul Adrian Villarreal. With the departure of Vuurboom keyboard player Joost van den Broek also parted ways with Sun Caged to join After Forever, a Dutch gothic metal outfit. René Kroon was hired as Van den Broek's substitute. Shortly before the Artemisia recording sessions bass player Rob van der Loo left as well. He went to join Dutch gothic metal band Delain and was replaced by Roel Vink.
The band's third studio album, The Lotus Effect, was released on June 17, 2011 through Lion Music. It was described as a balance between their eponymous debut and the more melodic sophomore album, Artemisia
.
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
band originating in The Netherlands. Sun Caged was formed by ex-Lemur Voice guitarist Marcel Coenen and drummer Dennis Leeflang
Dennis Leeflang
Dennis Leeflang is a rock drummer, currently living in New York City. He's most known for his work with Bumblefoot...
in the spring of 1999. Taking influences from artists in the metal genre such as 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...
, and even 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...
, Sun Caged has a unique sound which also incorporates influences from jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and fusion
Jazz fusion
Jazz fusion is a musical fusion genre that developed from mixing funk and R&B rhythms and the amplification and electronic effects of rock, complex time signatures derived from non-Western music and extended, typically instrumental compositions with a jazz approach to lengthy group improvisations,...
. They have performed as support acts for bands such as Vanden Plas
Vanden Plas (band)
Vanden Plas is a German progressive metal band, based in Kaiserslautern and founded in the mid 1980s. In 1991, they recorded the song "Keep On Running" as an anthem for the local national league football club FC Kaiserslautern, and did the same in 1994 with "Das Ist Für Euch"...
, Queensrÿche
Queensrÿche
thumb|250px|right|Queensrÿche's classic line-up performing at the [[Sauna Open Air Metal Festival]] 2011 in [[Tampere]], [[Finland]]. Left to right: bass Eddie Jackson, lead vocals Geoff Tate, drums Scott Rockenfield and guitars Michael Wilton....
, Spock's Beard
Spock's Beard
Spock's Beard is a progressive rock band formed in 1992 in Los Angeles by brothers Neal and Alan Morse. Neal played keyboards and was the lead vocalist, as well as being the primary songwriter before leaving the band in 2002 to pursue a solo career. Alan plays electric guitar...
, and Fates Warning
Fates Warning
Fates Warning is an American progressive metal band, formed in 1982 by vocalist John Arch, guitarists Jim Matheos and Victor Arduini, bassist Joe DiBiase, and drummer Steve Zimmerman in Hartford, Connecticut. Fates Warning has experienced numerous line-up changes...
. Currently, the band has a self-titled
Sun Caged (album)
Sun Caged is the debut full-length studio album by the Dutch progressive metal band Sun Caged, released on October 22, 2003 by Lion Music. The album was mixed by Arjen Lucassen and received critical acclaim from the media.- Track listing :...
studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
which was released on October 22, 2003 and a second album, Artemisia
Artemisia (album)
Artemesia is the second studio album by the Dutch progressive metal band Sun Caged, released on March 23, 2007 by Lion Music. The album features the band's current lineup, which has steadied after many replacements during the years of their productions. The Japanese version of the album features a...
, which was released on March 23, 2007. Both albums received critical acclaim from the media.
The style stated by the band on their 2000 demo was rather experimental, with the use of female vocals, death growl
Death growl
A death growl, also known as death metal vocals, guttural vocals, death grunts, and harsh vocals among other names, is a vocalisation style usually employed by vocalists of the death metal and black metal music genre, but also used in a variety of heavy metal and hardcore punk subgenres.Death...
s, some melodic vocals with a touch of groove.
After the release of their debut album the line up of Sun Caged changed considerably. When the recordings of Artemisia had started, Coenen was the only band member left from the original line up. Leeflang left shortly after the release of the band's debut to pursue a musical career in New York and was replaced by Roel van Helden. After singer André Vuurboom left to form Sphere Of Souls he was replaced by the American Paul Adrian Villarreal. With the departure of Vuurboom keyboard player Joost van den Broek also parted ways with Sun Caged to join After Forever, a Dutch gothic metal outfit. René Kroon was hired as Van den Broek's substitute. Shortly before the Artemisia recording sessions bass player Rob van der Loo left as well. He went to join Dutch gothic metal band Delain and was replaced by Roel Vink.
The band's third studio album, The Lotus Effect, was released on June 17, 2011 through Lion Music. It was described as a balance between their eponymous debut and the more melodic sophomore album, Artemisia
Artemisia
- Botany :* Artemisia , a genus of plants including the sagebrush and wormwood- Geography :* Artemisia Geyser in Yellowstone National Park* Artemissia, Messinia, a Greek village west of Taygetus mountain in the Peloponnese...
.
Current members
- Paul Adrian Villarreal − vocals, acoustic guitar
- Marcel Coenen − lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together... - Rene Kroon − keyboardsElectronic keyboardAn electronic keyboard is an electronic or digital keyboard instrument.The major components of a typical modern electronic keyboard are:...
- Daniel Kohn − bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Roel van Helden − 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 ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
Previous members
- Dennis LeeflangDennis LeeflangDennis Leeflang is a rock drummer, currently living in New York City. He's most known for his work with Bumblefoot...
− drums - Rob van der Loo − bass guitar (1999)
- Sascha Burchardt − vocals (2000)
- Joost van den BroekJoost van den BroekJoost van den Broek was a keyboardist in the metal band After Forever. On the album After Forever, Joost had the opportunity to collaborate on the composition and production of the album alongside other band members. Van den Broek will appear on the Sinbreed album When Worlds Collide...
− keyboards - Andre Vuurboom − vocals
On a project basis
- Laura van Driel − vocals (1999–2000)
- Nick Hameury − vocals (1999)
- Gregoor van der Loo − vocals (1999)
- Thijs Cuppen − keyboards (1999)
Studio albums
- Sun CagedSun Caged (album)Sun Caged is the debut full-length studio album by the Dutch progressive metal band Sun Caged, released on October 22, 2003 by Lion Music. The album was mixed by Arjen Lucassen and received critical acclaim from the media.- Track listing :...
(2003) - ArtemisiaArtemisia (album)Artemesia is the second studio album by the Dutch progressive metal band Sun Caged, released on March 23, 2007 by Lion Music. The album features the band's current lineup, which has steadied after many replacements during the years of their productions. The Japanese version of the album features a...
(2007) - The Lotus Effect (2011)
Demos albums
- Scar Winter (2000)
- Dominion (2001)
- Promo 2002 (2002)
- Promo 2005 (2005)