LANVALL

Lanvall biography
Arne STOCKHAMMER - Born August 16th, ???? (Linz, Austria)

First we must specify that LANVALL is not a band, we're talking about a very talented Austrian guitar/keyboards musician named Arne STOCKHAMMER who as VANGELIS changed his name because of the difficulty.

As many of his compatriots like Gerald Krampl, LANVALL has played in the borderline that divides Melodic Symphonic with New Age and some form of Ambient, he has a bit of WAKEMAN, a bit of KITARO, a bit of Emerson a bit of JON & VANGELIS, a bit of STEVE HACKETT and a lot of GANDALF plus a strong YANNI New Age atmosphere..

In his facet as guitarist he's more versatile, in 1998 he signed with the Goth Metal band EDENBRIDGE, where he leaves all his soft tendencies for an aggressive style in which he's really good.

His career as Prog musician starts with the release of "Melolydian Garden" (1994) with Ulbi Ulbricht in the bass and Thomas Schaufler in the drums, this almost Symphonic guitar based album is described as music for relax and comfort, something that clearly talks of his closeness to New Age, some interesting moments but nothing special almost as a lower quality MIKE OLDFIELD.

His second release "Auramony" (1996) is a conceptual project about the colors of the human aura, for this dreamy and ethereal release he received the contribution of GANDALF (sitar & classical guitar on "Violet", 6-string acoustic guitar on "Green", electric guitar on the intro of "Yellow"), Peter Aschenbrenner in the flutes and the rest of the lineup was similar to the first album, with "Auramony" his connection with New Age is stronger.

His third and last release "The Pyromantic Symphony" (1997) before he joins EDEMBRIDGE, is the only reason why LANVALL remains in Symphonic, the guitar work is outstanding combining classical influences with a strong Symphonic side, by far his peak.

LANVALL is a musician who had the skills to release real masterpieces but never rised his feet from the comfortable and unchallenging border with New Age, only for people who like the softer side of CAMEL.

Iván Melgar Morey - Perú