Band Biographies

Dean wrote: Biogs required for the following Prog Related bands/artists: Band Country Bio Pic Reviews Albums BOFFO, JEAN-PASCAL France n y y y FLIGHT 09 Uzbekistan y y y y HORIZONT (SWE) Sweden y y n y KAMPMAN, ERIC United States n y n y KREUZWEG Germany n n n y MÅNS MOSSA Sweden n n n y OM ART FORMATION Bulgaria n n n y PERKELE Finland n n n y SURPRISE United States n n y y SYNOPSIS Estonia n n y y TIRED TREE Sweden n n y y TRIANGULUS Sweden n n y y WALRUS Japan n n y y WHITE United Kingdom n y y y   Pablo's White Bio added  thanks Pablo   (do people any thoughts/objections on merging it with Alan White's solo entry in Xover?)   ...I think that's as much as we're going to be able to do for now.

Took care of the bio for Estonian act Synopsis, as well as a picture.

Windhawk wrote: Dean wrote: Biogs required for the following Prog Related bands/artists: Band Country Bio Pic Reviews Albums BOFFO, JEAN-PASCAL France n y y y FLIGHT 09 Uzbekistan y y y y HORIZONT (SWE) Sweden y y n y KAMPMAN, ERIC United States n y n y KREUZWEG Germany n n n y MÅNS MOSSA Sweden n n n y OM ART FORMATION Bulgaria n n n y PERKELE Finland n n n y SURPRISE United States n n y y SYNOPSIS Estonia n n y y TIRED TREE Sweden n n y y TRIANGULUS Sweden n n y y WALRUS Japan n n y y WHITE United Kingdom n y y y   Pablo's White Bio added  thanks Pablo   (do people any thoughts/objections on merging it with Alan White's solo entry in Xover?)   ...I think that's as much as we're going to be able to do for now.     Took care of the bio for Estonian act Synopsis, as well as a picture.

An updated and spell-checked version of my older Devin Townsend bio:


DEVIN TOWNSEND, possibly more widely known as the frontman for the extreme metal act STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, began creating solo albums in 1997.

Sometimes referred to as the “Mad Scientist of Metal,” TOWNSEND produces a wide variety of music, all the way from soft ambiance designed, as he has stated, to put the listener to sleep, to high levels of thrash and extreme metal reminiscent of SYL.
His works often feature a "wall of sound," built by adding many layers of guitars and keyboards that are playing in unison or harmony. The end result are a number of carefully produced and mixed albums that favor high-end sound systems.

His first solo album, "Ocean Machine: Biomech" (1997), was actually originally simply titled "Biomech" and the band project labeled OCEAN MACHINE. However, on subsequent releases in most countries, the one-shot band name was incorporated into the title, and TOWNSEND's name was affixed to the record. Following the release of that came his first solo album proper, 1998's "Infinity." However, diagnosed with bipolar disorder and suffering with severe depression, TOWNSEND left the album only partly finished, filling in the song gaps with other demos. Rebounding from this struggle, he wrote "Physicist" in 2000, creating a sort of pop-metal release featuring the members of his band STRAPPING YOUNG LAD. His 2001 project, "Terria," features some of his most complicated and deep production, incorporating many sounds from nature into the recording, and stands as one of his most well-known and most critically acclaimed albums.

His next solo project, THE DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND, began in 2003 with the release of "Accelerated Evolution." Adding drummer Ryan Van Poederooyen, guitarist Brian Waddell, bassist Mike Young, and keyboardist Dave Young, TOWNSEND decided to start releasing albums once more with a full-time band rather than merely studio musicians. Taking a dramatic turn from the style of "Terria," TOWNSEND adopted a much more band-oriented feel, reducing the amount of atmosphere and increasing the level of accessibility of the music.

As a side project during this time, TOWNSEND stitched together the fierce ambient "Devlab" album in 2004. The line-up of THE DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND continued for several as a functional touring outfit. The collaboration concluded with the 2006 album "Synchestra"--though this release marked the first time the same lineup had been present for two albums in a row. That same year, he released "The Hummer," another ambient piece similar to but gentler than "Devlab." Not much later, he broke up THE DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND, intending to take an indefinite leave from touring. In 2007, however, he created "Ziltoid The Omniscient" as an entirely solo record, going so far as to even program the drums and mix the album himself.

Following the post-“Ziltoid” hiatus, he returned rather dramatically to the music production scene. TOWNSEND began planning and creating a four album concept called the DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT. The PROJECT debuted in the summer of 2009 with the album “Ki,” a release that featured returning DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND keyboardist Dave Young, long-time studio drummer Duris Maxwell (who is most notable for playing with HEART and JEFFERSON AIRPLANE), and the bassist from a local BEATLES tribute band named Jean Savoie. “Ki” represents a massive stylistic shift as TOWNSEND creates a heavy sound mostly devoid of distortion and wild drums, commonly his trademarks. The second part of the series, “Addicted,” is set for a November 2009 release. This time around, TOWNSEND brought in (returning DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND) drummer Ryan van Poederooyen and bassist Mark Waddell, throwing in Mark Cimono on guitars. Also, many of the vocals on the release are performed by Anneke van Giersbergen (of THE GATHERING and AYREON fame). The final two albums of the PROJECT are slated to be released in 2010. TOWNSEND plans to tour in 2010 as well, having changed his mind about playing live since his 2006 declaration of studio-only work.

In addition to his solo efforts and work with STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DEVIN TOWNSEND is a highly talented producer, with his production talents featuring on albums by artists ranging from LAMB OF GOD, SOILWORK and BECOMING THE ARCHETYPE, to name a few. Furthermore, he has added vocals to projects such as AYREON and STEVE VAI.

WHY THIS ARTIST IS INCLUDED IN PA:
DEVIN TOWNSEND is a well known and musically significant member of the progressive metal scene.



Edited by LiquidEternity - October 13 2009 at 15:51

Crossover Bands needing Bios if anyone is interested in helping out:

Edited by Dean - March 15 2010 at 08:46

clarke2001 wrote: I'll gladly do Autograph if there are no takers.

I've noticed that THE SYN has no bio.... so I wrote one:

The Syn was one of the first bands in the London early prog scene and its history is intimately related to YES' origin and therefore it was fundamental to the development of prog. Originally, the band was formed by school mates Steve Nardelli (lead vocals) and John Painter (guitar) around 1965, playing R&B covers.

The Syn was later joined by the members of a band called THE SELFS comprised by Chris Squire (bass), Andrew Jackman (keyboards) and Martyn Adelman (drums). Shortly afer, original guitarist Painter was replaced by Peter Banks and Martyn Adelman left to be replaced by Icelandic Gunnar Hákonarson behind the drums.

The addition of two new members changed the direction of the band. Instead of playing R&B covers they started to write their own psychedelic oriented pieces, releasing two singles (Created by Clive and Flowerman) in 1967 and becoming one of the first bands (if not the first) to perform a rock opera on stage. The band became a regular at the Marquee club in London and got to open for JIMI HENDRIX on one of his historic concerts.

In 1967 the band disbanded and Chris Squire together with Peter Banks left to form Mabel Greer's Toyshop which will later evolve into Yes' first incarnation.

In 2003, 36 years after disbanding the band, Adelman, Nardelli and Banks started to plan a reunion. In 2005 the lineup formed by Paul Stacey(guitars), Gerard Johnson (keyboards), Steve Nardelli (vocals),Jeremy Stacey (drums) and Chris Squire (bass, backing vocals) released the first studio album of the band "Syndestructible".

After the release an tour of "Syndestructible", Nardelli took over the THE SYN name and recruited Francis Dunnery (guitars) and Tom Brislin (keyboards), the last one having played with other classic prog acts such as Camel and Yes. This lineup released "Big Sky" in early 2009 with the collaboration of Brett Kull, Paul Ramsey and Dorie Jackson.

Studio Discography:
"Syndestructible" 2005
"Big Sky" 2009

The overall sound of "Syndestructible" will appeal to modern YES and Chris Squire fans, since the style is very reminiscent to recent YES (specially Rabin era) and CONSPIRACY. On the other hand "Big Sky" has moved to a more original sound but is still close to YES.

Highly recommended to Chris Squire and mellow prog fans.

Michael (AKA ProgressiveAttic)

Edited by ProgressiveAttic - March 14 2010 at 12:28

Originally posted by clarke2001   I'll gladly do Autograph if there are no takers.

ProgressiveAttic wrote: I've noticed that THE SYN has no bio.... so I wrote one: The Syn was one of the first bands in the London early prog scene and its history is intimately related to YES' origin and therefore it was fundamental to the development of prog. Originally, the band was formed by school mates Steve Nardelli (lead vocals) and John Painter (guitar) around 1965, playing R&B covers. The Syn was later joined by the members of a band called THE SELFS comprised by Chris Squire (bass), Andrew Jackman (keyboards) and Martyn Adelman (drums). Shortly afer, original guitarist Painter was replaced by Peter Banks and Martyn Adelman left to be replaced by Icelandic Gunnar Hákonarson behind the drums. The addition of two new members changed the direction of the band. Instead of playing R&B covers they started to write their own psychedelic oriented pieces, releasing two singles (Created by Clive and Flowerman) in 1967 and becoming one of the first bands (if not the first) to perform a rock opera on stage. The band became a regular at the Marquee club in London and got to open for JIMI HENDRIX on one of his historic concerts. In 1967 the band disbanded and Chris Squire together with Peter Banks left to form Mabel Greer's Toyshop which will later evolve into Yes' first incarnation. In 2003, 36 years after disbanding the band, Adelman, Nardelli and Banks started to plan a reunion. In 2005 the lineup formed by Paul Stacey(guitars), Gerard Johnson (keyboards), Steve Nardelli (vocals),Jeremy Stacey (drums) and Chris Squire (bass, backing vocals) released the first studio album of the band "Syndestructible". After the release an tour of "Syndestructible", Nardelli took over the THE SYN name and recruited Francis Dunnery (guitars) and Tom Brislin (keyboards), the last one having played with other classic prog acts such as Camel and Yes. This lineup released "Big Sky" in early 2009 with the collaboration of Brett Kull, Paul Ramsey and Dorie Jackson. Studio Discography: "Syndestructible" 2005 "Big Sky" 2009 The overall sound of "Syndestructible" will appeal to modern YES and Chris Squire fans, since the style is very reminiscent to recent YES (specially Rabin era) and CONSPIRACY. On the other hand "Big Sky" has moved to a more original sound but is still close to YES. Highly recommended to Chris Squire and mellow prog fans. Michael (AKA ProgressiveAttic)

Is the bio OK or should I change something?

ProgressiveAttic wrote: ProgressiveAttic wrote: I've noticed that THE SYN has no bio.... so I wrote one: The Syn was one of the first bands in the London early prog scene and its history is intimately related to YES' origin and therefore it was fundamental to the development of prog. Originally, the band was formed by school mates Steve Nardelli (lead vocals) and John Painter (guitar) around 1965, playing R&B covers. The Syn was later joined by the members of a band called THE SELFS comprised by Chris Squire (bass), Andrew Jackman (keyboards) and Martyn Adelman (drums). Shortly afer, original guitarist Painter was replaced by Peter Banks and Martyn Adelman left to be replaced by Icelandic Gunnar Hákonarson behind the drums. The addition of two new members changed the direction of the band. Instead of playing R&B covers they started to write their own psychedelic oriented pieces, releasing two singles (Created by Clive and Flowerman) in 1967 and becoming one of the first bands (if not the first) to perform a rock opera on stage. The band became a regular at the Marquee club in London and got to open for JIMI HENDRIX on one of his historic concerts. In 1967 the band disbanded and Chris Squire together with Peter Banks left to form Mabel Greer's Toyshop which will later evolve into Yes' first incarnation. In 2003, 36 years after disbanding the band, Adelman, Nardelli and Banks started to plan a reunion. In 2005 the lineup formed by Paul Stacey(guitars), Gerard Johnson (keyboards), Steve Nardelli (vocals),Jeremy Stacey (drums) and Chris Squire (bass, backing vocals) released the first studio album of the band "Syndestructible". After the release an tour of "Syndestructible", Nardelli took over the THE SYN name and recruited Francis Dunnery (guitars) and Tom Brislin (keyboards), the last one having played with other classic prog acts such as Camel and Yes. This lineup released "Big Sky" in early 2009 with the collaboration of Brett Kull, Paul Ramsey and Dorie Jackson. Studio Discography: "Syndestructible" 2005 "Big Sky" 2009 The overall sound of "Syndestructible" will appeal to modern YES and Chris Squire fans, since the style is very reminiscent to recent YES (specially Rabin era) and CONSPIRACY. On the other hand "Big Sky" has moved to a more original sound but is still close to YES. Highly recommended to Chris Squire and mellow prog fans. Michael (AKA ProgressiveAttic) Is the bio OK or should I change something?

Thanks Michael!  I added the Bio.