Elvenking

Biography

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Elvenking (1997-present): a Power Metal band from Sacile, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy.

ormed in October 1997 Elvenking was started by two guitarist friends, Aydan (Real Name: Federico Baston) and Jarpen, both sharing a passion for heavy metal music and folklore. The young band faced many issues with its line-up that prevented them from progressing. The primary goal of Elvenking was to create a fusion of power metal and folk music. After gaining experience through many shows, the band decided to record a promotional album, To Oak Woods Bestowed, in 2000. For this recording, the line-up boasted Dag (a.k.a. Jarpin; guitars/vocals (harsh)), Damnagoras (Real Name: Davide Moras; vocals/bass), the aformentioned Aydan (guitars/vocals (harsh)) and Stormgald (drums). The demo was successful enough to allow Elvenking to sign a contract with German label AFM Records.

Previously appearing as a session player, Gorlan, a friend of Aydan and Jarpen, then fully joined as a bassist.

The first full-length album Heathenreel was recorded at New Sin Audio Design by Luigi Stefanini and mixed at FrEDMan Studios by Fredrik Nordstrom. The cover artwork was created by Travis Smith and the band logo was designed by J.P. Fournier, who also designed covers for Avantasia and Immortal (band). The album was released on July 23, 2001 and received praise from metal critics around the world. Elvenking then toured around Europe at festivals with better known bands like Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray, Edguy and Virgin Steele.

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In August 2002 singer Damnagoras took leave from the band due to health concerns. Elvenking then recruited a new vocalist, Kleid (Real Name: Massimo Bottiglieri), who revitalized the spirit of folk music within the band. Elyghen (Real Name: Javier Arteta), a violinist and keyboard player, joined soon after. The shift in the line-up led to their second album, Wyrd, recorded at Gernhart studios in Siegburg with Martin Buchwalter, and mixed & mastered at House of music studios with Achim Kolher and released on April 19, 2004. The second album expressed the improvement of the unique style of the band.

In late 2004 Damnagoras returned, taking the place of Kleid, and Elvenking for the release of their third album, The Winter Wake (2006).

On February 4, 2005, founding guitarist Jarpen left Elvenking when he tired of the musical style.

On September 14, 2007, their conceptual album on death, The Scythe, was released. It saw the act drifting away from their folk stylings and more into a European progressive metal style.

On April 14, 2008, Elvenking announced that they were beginning work on the next album and that it would be a "totally acoustic album". In a later post the band explained that while they viewed this new album as a chance to explore their folk influences it would also be a chance for them to experiment in new areas as well. It was also added that they already had some material written for a "heavy" album however this album would wait until after the acoustic album was released.

Two Tragedy Poets (...and a Caravan of Weird Figures) (2008) would arrive. But not long after, on January 14, 2009 new guitarist, Rafahel (Real Name: Raffaello Indri) would arrive via an announcement through the band's website; he had been playing gigs with the band for the past year. The following album, Red Silent Tides (2010), would also see the arrival of violinist Lethien (Real Name: Fabio Polo).

Symohn (Real Name: Simone Morettin; drums) and Jakob (Real Name: Alessandro Jacobi; bass) would be the new members for Era (2012) but Jakob would also perform choir vocals for the next album, The Pagan Manifesto (2014). The live set, The Night of Nights (2015), followed.

Lancs (Real Name: Marco Lanciotti) would assume drums for Secrets of the Magick Grimoire (2017) and Reader of the Runes - Divination (2019).

For Reader Of The Runes - Rapture (2023), Simone Morettin replaced Lanciotti.

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