Serenity (Band)

Serenity is a symphonic metal band from Tyrol, Austria.

History

Serenity was founded in January 2001. Mario Hirzinger, Matthias anchor and Stefan Wanker had previously already been active for several years in the band " McFarmersson " which Schipflinger - brothers came in late 1999 with the rest of the band, because in addition to drummer Michael Stamey rose at that time Matthias anchor. Inspired by groups such as the British prog-rock band Arena, Dream Theater, Savatage but also eg Sentenced produced some songs, but half years found their handset only in the rehearsal room. With the return of guitarist Matthias anchor early 2001, the band now complete on the name Serenity was baptized, on the basis of an instrumental piece of arena. In the same year the first demo recording Starseed VR was tackled, the CD was released in February 2002.

End of 2003, the first cracks in the line-up were opened, as Matthias announced his departure. In February 2004, took Georg Neuhauser, Thomas Buchberger and Simon woodcutter who attempted to start a metal band for some time, contact with Mario Hirzinger on. There was now definite plans to merge to form a new band called Mysteria, however, the planned for this project drummer did not appear to first rehearsal and so jumped in Andreas Schipflinger one. Stefan Wanker realized the great potential of this lineup and made ​​the suggestion, Serenity and the new band project merge - for he would give up the post of bassists. So you remained the same, already established in the area name and changed only slightly in the direction of his style melodic progressive power metal. Stefan Schipflinger could not make friends with the new situation and left the band soon after. A few months later, on 2 August 2004, was the first highlight in the band's career, a performance as support of Ronnie James Dio.

In spring 2005, the demo Engraved Within appeared that numerous good reviews and earned, among other things the demo of the month in Rock Hard and Metal Hammer was elected. More offers from record companies were received, only the right thing was not really into it, which is why they carried out the work on their first album on their own. The recordings were made in Munich " Dreamscape Studios " and were in the " Finnvox Studios " in Helsinki completed. The orchestra parts were produced in the Czech Republic, the artwork was done by Seth - Design in Athens. During this work, they were in contact with the label Napalm Records, in which she finally signed in December 2006. In March 2007, Serenity went as Support Morgana Lefay and Sacred Steel on Tour through the German-speaking countries, including a gig in Rotterdam ( NL).

On 27 April 2007 published Napalm Records debut album Words Untold & Dreams Unlived in Europe (including Russia), on 8 May 2007 in North America and, finally, on 1 June 2007 on Rock Empire in Greater China. In July 2007, the album received good reviews appeared across Europe, even in Japan. In August / September of the same year Serenity spent two weeks on a European tour with Threshold, Communic and Machine Men is another tour, this time with Kamelot, which the band from London via the Netherlands and France to Spain led took place in September / October 2007.

The second full -length album named Fallen Sanctuary and was produced from December 2007 to April 2008. Again Jan Vacik ( Dreamscape Studios) was heavily involved in the recording process, he did the drums and bass recordings, contributed ideas that song arrangements concerning in and took care of the final edit. Oliver Philipps, known by his band Everon, is the creative mind behind the orchestral parts and vocal recordings with the massive choirs go to the account of Lanvall of Edenbridge. The cover artwork was designed this time by Gustavo Sazes, a Brazilian artist. Between August 27 and September 1, 2008 disc in Europe was released, the release in the North American states followed on September 9.

In the spring of 2009 was followed by another tour with the American band Kamelot, the Serenity transverse led by Europe. In the fall of 2009, two more European tours were completed, namely Edenbridge and later with the English band Threshold.

2010 left Simon Holzknecht the band for personal reasons and was created by Italian bassist Fabio D' Amore (including Pathosray, Syrayde, Fairyland, Mirrormaze ) replaced.

On February 25, published in 2011 Serenity album " Death & Legacy" in Europe / Japan, followed by USA / CAN on March 15, 2011 on Napalm Records / EDEL Distribution and Marquee Avalon in Japan. The album is based on a historical concept around figures such as Galileo Galilei, Sir Francis Drake, Albrecht Dürer and others. Approximately two years spent on the symphonic concept album.

In March / April / May 2011 a number of headlining concerts and gigs as support of Epica, Delain & Leaves' Eyes were played throughout Europe. Later in 2011, also participate in the Out Of The Dark Festival Tour throughout Europe took place.

2012 the band concentrated mainly on the 2013 album as well as appearing a few gigs with Delain and as headliners in Europe. In September 2012, the band was the first festival to occur in the United States at ProgPower USA.

In 2013 the band went on first headlining tour for their fourth album War of Ages imagine. Special guests for the tour played Visions of Atlantis and Soul Drinker. The Tour with a total of ten concerts led by seven countries - where the concert in Pratteln had to be relocated due to the great response from the Galery to Z7. Even before the tour was in January Clementine Delauney as a new member of the band representedness - they had already in 2012 some gigs disputed with the band, including the ProgPower USA. For October, the debut at the Metal Female Voices Fest in Belgium is announced. On the tour took Franz -Josef Hauser keyboards by Mario Hirzinger, 2012 declared the end of October his departure from the band.

Due to the great response the tour in the spring of 2014 continues. In addition to 10 gigs in Austria, Germany and the Netherlands, a performance at the Prog Power Metal Fest in Belgium is a highlight of the second tour section. Also in the lineup are Beyond the Bridge and midriff.

Discography

• 2002: Starseed V.R. ( Demo with 7 tracks)
• 2005: Engraved Within (Demo with 7 tracks CD -Rom Part)
• 2007: Words Untold & Dreams Unlived (10 tracks / Napalm Records)
• 2011: Death & Legacy ( 16 tracks)
• 2013: War of Ages (12 tracks)