Pyramaze

Pyramaze is a Danish power metal band, formed in 2001.

Pyramaze
OriginHjordkær, Denmark
GenresPower metal, progressive metal
Years active2001–2011, 2015–present
LabelsInner Wound Recordings
Nightmare Records
Massacre
Replica
Asia: Melodic Heaven
King
Associated actsAnubis Gate, Avian, Iced Earth, Echoterra, Futures End, Teodor Tuff, Wuthering Heights
Websitewww.pyramaze.com
MembersTerje Haroy
Morten Gade Sørensen
Jonah Weingarten
Toke Skjønnemand
Jacob Hansen
Past membersMichael Kammeyer
Niels Kvist
Lance King
Matt Barlow
Urban Breed

History

Pyramaze was formed in 2001 by guitarist Michael Kammeyer. Next to join were fellow Danes drummer Morten Gade Sørensen (Wuthering Heights, Anubis Gate) and bassist Niels Kvist. American keyboardist Jonah Weingarten, who originally met Kammeyer over the Internet, joined next. The band then set out in search for a singer. After listening to many demos, the band selected American singer Lance King (formerly of Balance of Power) to be their lead vocalist.

The band's first live show took place on April 23, 2004, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They released their debut studio album, Melancholy Beast, in May 2004 and followed with a tour over the summer of 2004. During this time, Danish guitarist Toke Skjønnemand joined the group. In February 2006, the band released their second album, Legend of the Bone Carver, a concept album that was received very well by fans. On September 15, 2006, the band performed at the ProgPower USA VII festival in Atlanta, Georgia. Shortly after that performance, on November 10, 2006, the band announced on its official Web site that Lance King was no longer Pyramaze's singer.[1] On April 14, 2007, former Iced Earth vocalist Matt Barlow returned to the metal scene as Pyramaze's new singer.[1] On December 11, 2007, Jon Schaffer announced on his Web site that Barlow had rejoined Iced Earth. Barlow finished recording Immortal with Pyramaze before leaving to work solely with Iced Earth.[2]

On March 13, 2008, Pyramaze released demos of two songs from Immortal, "Year of the Phoenix" and "Caramon's Poem." The album was officially released May 30, 2008.

On July 11, 2008, Pyramaze announced that former Tad Morose and Bloodbound singer Urban breed would be taking over the role of lead vocalist. His first activity with the band was performing on their Danish tour in November 2008 in support of Volbeat.

On February 10, 2011, it was announced that band founder, songwriter, and guitarist Michael Kammeyer and bass guitarist Niels Kvist would be departing the band, citing family responsibilities. Shortly after, keyboardist Jonah Weingarten issued a letter stating that, despite losing their founder, leader, songwriter, guitarist, and bass guitarist all in one day, Pyramaze would carry on. This was backed up by a statement Pyramaze released that the band's producer, Jacob Hansen, formerly of Invocator, Anubis Gate, and Beyond Twilight, would be joining as guitarist, as well as continuing to mix the band's albums.

The band went on a short hiatus soon afterwards while still looking for a new lead vocalist. Then in 2015, the band finally recorded its next album Disciples of the Sun with their new vocalist, Terje Haroy. The album was released on May 22, 2015, in the United Kingdom on May 25, 2015, and in North America on May 26, 2015 on Inner Wound Recordings.

On September 8, 2016, Pyramaze played a special show at ProgPower USA XVII, with the current lineup of the band being bolstered by guest performances of Matt Barlow and Lance King. Their follow-up to Disciples of the Sun titled 'Contingent', was released on April 28, 2017 through Inner Wound Recordings.

Band members

Current members
  • Morten Gade Sørensen − drums (2001–2011, 2015–present)
  • Jonah Weingarten − keyboards (2002–2011, 2015–present)
  • Toke Skjønnemand − guitar (2004–2011, 2015–present)
  • Jacob Hansen − guitars, bass (2015–present)
  • Terje Haroy – vocals (2015-present)

Former members
  • Lance King − vocals (2001–2006)
  • Matt Barlow – vocals (2007–2008)
  • Urban Breed – vocals (2008–2011)
  • Michael Kammeyer − guitar (2001–2011)
  • Niels Kvist − bass (2001–2011)

Timeline

Discography

See also

References
  1. Official website Archived 2008-07-15 at the Wayback Machine accessed July 15, 2008
  2. Official website Archived 2008-02-20 at the Wayback Machine accessed January 5, 2008
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