Misteria

 Today in 2000 Misteria released there debut album Masquerade of Shadows

Rzeszów,Poland Melodic Black/Death Metal

Status:Split-up

Years active: 1996-?

Misteria was formed in 1996 by Paweł “Lord Viader” Leniart (drums) and Mariusz “Maniek” Zawadzki (vocals, guitars). Not long after Tomasz “Grabaż” Grzesik joined them.

Two years later they recorded their first and only promo Promo '98 that featured two songs – Death-Dreams Journey and Yearning. It was a part of “Epicentrum,” a CD featuring promising underground metal bands from Rzeszów.

During February and March 1999 Misteria recorded their debut album – Masquerade of Shadows. The material got very positive reviews in the media, which resulted in signing a contract with Empire Records/Massive Management. The contract was broken off year later. During that time Misteria played concerts with bands like Lux Occulta, Gardenian, Decapitated, Neolith, Sanatorium, Demise, Devilyn, Sacrum, Sceptic, Epitome etc.

In Summer the same year, Misteria signed a new contract with Pagan Records and their album was released. Also Marcin “Novy” Nowak joined the band as a bassist (formerly bass was recorded by Maniek).

2002 was the year that Misteria’s most succesful album was released. Universe Funeral (which is now sold out and very hard to get) hit Polish underground scene. Again Pagan Records released it.

The music changed a bit. Keys disappeared, guitars were faster, more thrash and heavy. The album was considered as one of the best albums made recently in Poland. It resulted in Misteria playing on Metalmania in 2003.

Unfortunately this was also the year when the band split up. There were some arguments after which Maniek, Novy and Grabaż formed a new band called Mysteria. Misteria stopped its existence.

One of the most characteristic parts of Misteria’s music were Maniek’s vocal (which varied from very clean ones to extreme growls), folk interests (which were fully shown in songs Folkien and Funeral (Folkien Part II)) and a mixture of different metal genres.

After a short period of time the band was reactivated by Lord Viader, the inventor of the original name. Misteria got a new line-up. From the old one only Viader remained. Apart from him Misteria is: Mirosław “Heniu” Mamczur (vocals, guitars), Seweryn “Winetou” Gielarowski (guitars) and Kuba “Skrzatan” Pelczar (bass).

In 2005 the band recorded a new material “The New Beginning,” but due to "home-made quality" it was not released.

The year 2006 was spent on constant rehearsals, composing and concerts. In July Chomik joined the line-up as a keyboard player. Soon after another unreleased material apperad: the "Grill'em All Szatan Party"

The beginning of 2007 was marked by an official "Dare you follow me?" promo, which contains some of the tracks created for two former, unrealeased recordings.

Pagan Records

Maniek Vocals, Guitars, Bass

Lord Viader Drums

Grabaż Guitars

Guest/Session

Maciek S. Bass (on tracks 1-3, 5, 7)

Tomasz K. Keyboards

1. Folkien 04:42

2. The Lost 04:35

3. Lady of Chaos 07:00

4. Battle Cries 06:59

5. Masquerade of Shadows 05:07

6. Come to Me 06:59

7. Demon of Dream 06:25

41:47

All music and lyrics by Mariusz except "Battle Cries" and "Lady of Chaos" - lyrics by Paweł.

Logo by Christophe Szpajdel.

Photos by Sławomir Podleśny.

Front cover painting by Grzegorz Bębenek.

Booklet concept by Mariusz and Paweł.

Design and layout by Tomasz Krajewski.

Recording information:

Recorded & mixed at Manek Studio, Sanok, Poland, February-April 1999.

Enginereed by Arkadiusz "Malta" Malczewski.

Mixed by Arkadiusz "Malta" Malczewski and MISTERIA.

Mastered by Bartłomiej Kuźniak at "333 Studio", Dec. 1999.

Machine Head

 Today in 1999 Machine Head released the single From This Day

Oakland, California Post-Thrash/Groove Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1992-present

Machine Head's Burn My Eyes created quite a stir upon its release -- rooted in 80's thrash (a natural, given founder Robb Flynn's previous stints in Vio-lence and Forbidden) but with heavier guitars, harsher vocals, and a more aggressive style, it heralded a new take on thrash and is one of the prime factors in the revitalization of thrash in the mid-nineties. The band has tinkered with their sound over the years, not always to their benefit, with a slight nu-metal leaning around the time of 2001's Supercharger not resonating with fans as well as hoped. By the time of 2007 and The Blackening they'd drifted back to the aggressive post-thrash style and remain a hugely popular band.

Roadrunner Records

Robb Flynn Vocals, Guitars

Ahrue Luster Guitars

Adam Duce Bass

Dave McClain Drums

1. From This Day (edit) 03:10

2. Alcoholocaust 03:45

3. House of Suffering (Bad Brains cover) 02:10

09:05

The song Alcoholocaust also appeared on a ltd edition version of 'The Burning Red' and is taken from the "Heavy Metal 2000" OST (1999 - restless records)

Grave Digger

 Today in 1999 Grave Digger released the single The Round Table (Forever)

Gladbeck, North Rhine-Westphalia,Germany Heavy/Power Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1980-1986, 1986-1987 (as Digger), 1988-1991 (as Hawaii), 1991-present

Grave Digger is one of a quartet of German bands that have been at the forefront of the German power metal field since the eighties, alongside Helloween, Running Wild, and Rage. Like the other three, Grave Digger was initially signed to Noise Records and was instrumental in the rise of that label, and like both Running Wild and Rage, have endured multiple lineup changes surrounding their front man, that man here being Chris Boltendahl. And like the other three, Grave Digger have released a slew of classic German power metal albums, with no signs of slowing down.

GUN Records

Chris Boltendahl Vocals

Uwe Lulis Guitars

Jens Becker Bass

Stefan Arnold Drums

H.P. Katzenburg Keyboards

1. The Round Table (Forever) 05:11

2. Excalibur 04:45

3. Mordred's Song 04:02

4. Emerald Eyes 04:04

18:02

All tracks taken from the album "Excalibur".

Trail of Tears

 Today in 1998 Trail Of Tears released the album Disclosure in Red

Kristiansand,Norway Gothic Metal (early), Symphonic Gothic/Black Metal (later)

Status:Split-up

Years active: 1994-1997 (as Natt), 1997-2013

Formed in 1994 (originally under the name Natt), Trail Of Tears was one of several (mostly) Norwegian bands in the symphonic gothic metal arena, utilizing both male death-ish and female soprano vocals (Theatre Of Tragedy is the traditional standard for such bands, though better reference points here might be labelmates Tristania or The Sins Of Thy Beloved). Their style features several of the trademarks of the genre: lush orchestrations, keyboard/guitar interplay, and grandiose arrangements. There's nothing to fault here, as the musicianship and songwriting are quite well developed, though it has to be said that there's not a lot on offer that others (such as the aforementioned bands) haven't done as well. Some bands transcend metal genres, and Trail Of Tears probably isn't one of them, but they are an accomplished band and their work is recommended to atmospheric/gothic metal fans. Unfortunately personal differences plagued the band and eventually caused their undoing -- first, an announced breakup in 2006 later clarified by band leader Ronny Thorsen as "everyone else left, I'm continuing the band with new members" (which he did), and later, more troubles between Thorsen and vocalist Cathrin Paulsen that underscored the bands' final breakup following 2013's Oscillation.

DSFA Records

Ronny Thorsen Vocals, Lyrics

Helena Iren Michaelsen Vocals, Lyrics

Runar Hansen Guitars (lead)

Terje Heiseldal Guitars (rhythm)

Kjell R. Hagen Bass

Frank Roald Hagen Keyboards

Jonathan Perez Drums, Percussion

Guest/Session

Frank Ørland Guitars (track 6)

1. When Silence Cries... 05:10

2. The Daughters of Innocence 03:34

3. The Day We Drowned 04:40

4. Mournful Pigeon 05:00

5. Swallowed Tears 04:40

6. Illusion? 03:26

7. Enigma of the Absolute 04:05

8. Words of the Fly 02:59

9. Temptress 05:19

10. The Burden 08:05

46:58

All music by Trail of Tears, except "Illusion?," by Frank Ørland.

Recording information:

Recorded in Jailhouse Studio, Norway during September / October 1998.

Produced by Hans Eidskard.

Mixed in Studio RS 29, Holland in October 1998 by Oscar Holleman and Trail of Tears.

Eternal Tears of Sorrow

 Today in 1998 Eternal Tears Of Sorrow released the album Vilda Mánnu

Pudasjärvi,Finland Thrash Metal (early), Melodic Death Metal (mid), Symphonic Death Metal (later)

Status:Active

Years active: 1991-1992 (as Andromeda), 1993 (as D.W.N.), 1993-1994 (as Moshington D.C.), 1994-2003, 2005-present

ecords in Russia.

Eternal Tears Of Sorrow formed in the early nineties, with their early material being more in the death metal camp before expanding their style to move closer to gothic metal, or perhaps melodic death metal (but not the typical Swedish version of melodic death). A breakup was announced in January 2003, but two years later they announced their return, and have carried on since.

Spinefarm Records

Altti Veteläinen − vocals, bass guitar

Jarmo Puolakanaho − guitar, keyboards

Olli-Pekka Törrö − guitar, keyboards

Guest appearances

Heli Luokkala − female vocals (on tracks: 5 and 6)

1. Northern Doom (4:35)

2. Burning Flames' Embrace (4:07)

3. Goashem (3:53)

4. Scars of Wisdom (4:56)

5. Raven (In Your Eyes) (5:35)

6. Nightwind's Lullaby (5:28)

7. Vilda Mánnu (5:52)

8. Coronach (4:53)

9. Nodde Rahgam (1:12)

10. Seita (3:06)

Total Time: 43:42

Recorded and mixed at Tico-Tico in summer '98.

Tracks 2, 6 and 8 would later be re-used as bonus tracks on special editions of the 'Chaotic Beauty' album.

Vilda Mánnu is the second album by Finnish band Eternal Tears of Sorrow. It contains the band's first guest vocals (by Heli Luokkala, known from Nicepappi). It is also the last EToS album with their original line-up as one of the co-founders of the band, Olli-Pekka Törrö, left the band a few months after the release of this album.

The title of the album (as well as the name of the title song), Vilda Mánnu, is Northern Sami language. It means "Wild Moon" in English. There is also another Sami song title on the album, Goashem, which (in the form "goas'kem") is Old Sami language for "an eagle"

Alchemist

 Today in 1998 Alchemist released the EP Eve Of War

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory,Australia Avant-garde/Progressive Death Metal
Status:Split-up
Years active: 1987-2010
Alchemist was one of those exceedingly rare bands that embrace the premise of metal and then, by incorporating external influences and striving to be individualistic songwriters, come up with a style and sound that is uniquely original and all their own, yet still undeniably metal. Tribal rhythms and a definite Middle East influences are seemlessly blended with brutal riffing, as many songs alternate between relaxed, experimental mellow sections and up-tempo, heavy guitars. The vocals are often semi-death metallish, hoarse and growly, with the occasional ungodly shriek (for example, as found on "Chinese Whispers", perhaps the best song on one of their best albums, 1997's Spiritech). Listening to Alchemist has an almost hypnotic effect, as one is seemingly transported to another world as the songs drift by. Simply put, Alchemist was one of the best metal bands to emerge in the 90's, though seemingly virtually unknown outside their home of Australia. The band split up around 2010, with guitarist/vocalist Adam Agius forming a similar band in The Levitation Hex.
Shock Australia Records
Adam Agius Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Roy Torkington Guitars
John Bray Bass, Keyboards, Samples
Rodney Holder Drums
Guest/Session
Josh Nixon Guitars (rhythm)
Mark Rochelle Keyboards (additional)
1. Eve of the War (Jeff Wayne cover) 05:16
2. Yoni Kunda (Live) 05:32
3. Chinese Whispers (Live) 09:30
4. Yoni Kunda (Remix) 03:58
5. Brumal: A View from Pluto 05:46
6. Worlds Within Worlds 07:19
37:21
Track 1 is an adaptation of one of the movements in Jeff Wayne's musical version of "The War of the Worlds". This version omits all the spoken vocals and retains only a distorted version of the chorus.
Tracks 5 & 6 taken from "Jar of Kingdom" album (1993).
Recording information:
Engineered at Backbeach Studios VIC 1998.
Produced at The Disco Playpen.

Red Tide

 Today in 1997 Red Tide released there debut album Themes of the Cosmic Consciousness

Avon, Connecticut Thrash Metal (early), Metalcore/Jazz Fusion (later)

Status:Split Up

Years active:1992-2002

Hailing from Connecticut, Red Tide was formed in 1993 by guitarist Jeff Wu, initially as a thrash/hardcore band. As they progressed, Wu and drummer Justin Foley became interested in jazz, and thus sought to incorporate jazz influences into their music. After a few demo tapes, they self-released an album in 1997 entitled Themes Of The Cosmic Consciousness, and sure enough the style was a mixture of technical death metal (circa late-period Death) interspersed with jazz/fusion interludes, which invariably would bring to mind bands such as Cynic or Candiria. Few bands possess the musicianship to pull off this style of music effectively, but Red Tide did so quite well. They managed a second album, Type II, in 2001, continuing the death/jazz mixture, but unfortunately disbanded soon afterward.

Independent

Jeff Wu Vocals, Guitars

Ian Kaufman Vocals, Guitars

Andy Dickins Bass

Justin Foley Drums

1. Intro / Vicious Circle 07:51

2. Overcome 03:36

3. Scarred 05:37

4. Submission 03:43

5. Composition No. 25 02:53

6. Shallow 06:49

7. Numbed Emotions 04:57

8. Let the Lotus Feet Fly 05:06

40:32