Label: Metal Mind Records
Cat. No.: MASS CD 1271 DG
Barcode: 5907785034501
Format: CD Digipack (limited edition of 1000 copies)
Genre:  progressive power metal
Release date: 23.03.2009 Europe / 05.05.2009 USA

 

 

1. Unorthodox methods
2. Frenzy
3. Angel without wings
4. Savage Grace
5. Master of deception
6. Solitary day (living in an ivory tower)
7. Manifestation of fear
8. Victim of circumstance
9. The forgotten
10. Redemption (instrumental)
11. Metamorphosis

 

Bonus tracks:
12. Solitary day (extended version Japan)
13. Master of deception (demo)
14. Metamorphosis (demo)

 

Label: Metal Mind Records
Cat. No.: MASS CD 1272 DG
Barcode: 5907785034518
Format: CD Digipack (limited edition of 1000 copies)
Genre:  progressive power metal
Release date: 23.03.2009 Europe / 05.05.2009 USA

 

 

1. Under my skin
2. The Inner room
3. No code no honour
4. Walking nightmare
5. Pilgrims parade
6. Principles of pain
7. Creatures of habit
8. Silence in the wind
9. Hypothesis
10. Missing persons
11. A child’s breath

 

Bonus tracks:
12. Sacred (bonus Japan)
13. Under my skin (demo)
14. No code no honour (demo)
15. Pilgrims parade (demo)

 

Bio
A taunting spell seemed to be following the progressive metal band around since the earliest days of their existence. Dozens of line up changes influenced their sound and style, based on the distinctive twin guitar sound of Henk van der Laars and Arno van Brussel. The addition of long time friend Martin Helmantel on bass and the talented Ed Warbie on drums paved the way for a new and more technical approach to song writing. With the addition of the high-pitched and dramatic voice of Eduard Hovinga, the band found their trademark sound, which was soon noticed by many around the globe. Winning a band contest at the sold out German Zeche concert would have launched their careers if it wasn’t for Polydor Records retracting their world wide record deal at the last moment. Elegy grew stronger and stronger, just as their craftsmanship in song writing grew better and better.
In 1991 Shark Records signed the band, who soon started to record their elusive “Labyrinth of Dreams” debut in 1992, an album packed with top-notch progressive metal tunes, thunderous drums and bass, breathtaking twin guitar solos and dramatic and crystal clear vocals of Hovinga. Elegy takes Japan by storm - an exclusive sold out show in Osaka takes place, as also an extensive promo tour, while Europe seems ignorant to their unique sound and Elegy becomes prog-metal’s best kept secret there. In 1993 Ed Warbie introduces his replacement, Dirk Bruinenberg, whilst he himself joins Dutch Gorefest. Gilbert Pot fills the slot of the second guitar player, left vacant by van Brussel, to record “Supremacy”, which in all ways shows their drive to thrive on an action-packed release. Japan glorifies the quintet, which finds itself on the verge of a breakthrough. “Lost” is the band’s third studio effort, which shows a band still growing musically. When in 1995 Hovinga leaves the band to pursue a solo career, none other than Ian Parry (Vengeance, Consortium, Ayreon, Hammerhead) takes over the microphone on the mini CD  “Primal Instinct”. Their next album “State of Mind” showcases an expanded field of operation thanks to Parry’s wide range and tops its predecessors on all accounts, with Japanese BURRN!! Magazine voting Parry the top vocalists of 1997! The new promotion trip and tour into the Far East, with van der Laars being untraceable for days and showing up at the last moment before leaving for the airport, again is a success. Europe finally catches on and the band is booked on an extensive tour with Stratovarius. “Manifestation of Fear” easily matches “State of Mind”, boosting the band’s ambition. Again Ian Parry and Henk van der Laars fly over to Japan to do a week of acoustic performances before heading back to Europe to tour with Kamelot. The upward curve is slightly adjusted when “Forbidden Fruit” shows another line up change with long-time serving Henk van der Laars departing due to family duties. With Henk, the band loses a unique songwriter as well as a guitar player with a truly unique sound, and it’s a gap that is hard to fill. Elegy, and Martin in particular, will not rest until a proper replacement is introduced. Newly injected élan is brought in by one of the most skilful players in modern music: Patrick Rondat (Jean Michael Jarre, G3). Helmantel and Parry are the frontrunners of the band, guarding the heritance and sound, with Rondat adding more fuel to the creative fire with his extravagant semi-classical guitar style, which eventually leads to the recording of the band’s masterpiece “Principles of Pain”. Much to the fans’ surprise, “Missing Persons” features former vocalist Eduard Hovinga in duet with Parry. An action packed metal album bursting with musical craftsmanship and extraordinary songwriting, and perhaps one of the most underrated metal albums of the last decade. The success of this album even brings them to the US for the first time, playing the first edition of the infamous Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles festival in Cleveland! Over the years Elegy managed to grow and refresh, crystallizing their direction, getting more complex. Even though their music is packed with breathtaking breaks and high speed guitar outbursts, songwriting always comes first - recognizable and well arranged. Elegy paved the way for many progressive metal bands to come…Edwin van hoof!