FATHER GOLEM

Progressive Metal • Spain

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Father Golem biography
FATHER GOLEM was formed in Spain in 1999 from the members of the heavy metal band BAJO ZERO, who decide to drive the band to a more progressive style due to new influences. Their founding members were Dani CASTRO (vocals, lyrics), Fernando SANJU�N (guitar), Nacho GARC�A (guitar), Jos� Ram�n VALDIVIESO (guitar), Alfonso CIFO (bass) and Miguel CIFO (drums). After re-producing and re-arranging some of the songs from BAJO ZERO, FATHER GOLEM produces ''Chronicles of the First Crusade'' in 1999, a conceptual work that was the core of their set list until 2000. However, the album was never properly produced, and there is not an adequate recording to date.

The first official release of the band was ''The End of Poetry'' in 2000, showing a transition from heavy metal to progressive rock, with a strong influence of alternative rock. In 2003, the band decides to turn towards a more progressive style. The consequence is the album ''Nemesis'' in 2006, a work distributed only digitally and free. ''Nemesis'' still evidences some internal tension between the band members due to musical perspectives, and a convulsed period starts, where Alfonso CIFO and Miguel CIFO leave the band, and Carlos CEREZO (drums) and Javier SOLAS (bass) come in. Two years later, SOLAS, GARC�A and VALDIVIESO also quit. Max ZANIN incorporates to the band at the keyboards shortly after.

In 2008, Jani PIHLMAN joins the band as a lead guitar player, showing a perfect connection with SANJU�N and this stabilizes the guitar team with a clearer direction towards progressive metal. However, CEREZO and ZANIN leave the band a year later. In 2009, Jouni PIHLMAN joins the band as a drummer, and CHEKO finally completes the new formation with the bass, keyboards, piano and orchestral arrangements.

In February 2012, FATHER GOLEM releases ''I/O'' and is described by the band as progressive metal with clear influences from many other sources, as well as other styles like jazz but also eclectic elements with inclusion of string quartet, trumpets, saxophones or various types of drums such as the caj�n. The result is composed of seven autonomous songs that present different concepts. It has been self-produced by Jani PIHLMAN and mixed with the collaboration of Erik Monson�s.

The band draws influences from classic progressive rock bands such as KING CRIMSON, PINK FLOYD, RUSH, GENESIS, YES, MARILLION but also from recent rock, metal and progressive bands such as TEXTURES, EXPLOSIONS IN THE...FATHER GOLEM was formed in Spain in 1999 from the members of the heavy metal band BAJO ZERO, who decide to drive the band to a more progressive style due to new influences. Their founding members were Dani CASTRO (vocals, lyrics), Fernando SANJU�N (guitar), Nacho GARC�A (guitar), Jos� Ram�n VALDIVIESO (guitar), Alfonso CIFO (bass) and Miguel CIFO (drums). After re-producing and re-arranging some of the songs from BAJO ZERO, FATHER GOLEM produces ''Chronicles of the First Crusade'' in 1999, a conceptual work that was the core of their set list until 2000. However, the album was never properly produced, and there is not an adequate recording to date.

The first official release of the band was ''The End of Poetry'' in 2000, showing a transition from heavy metal to progressive rock, with a strong influence of alternative rock. In 2003, the band decides to turn towards a more progressive style. The consequence is the album ''Nemesis'' in 2006, a work distributed only digitally and free. ''Nemesis'' still evidences some internal tension between the band members due to musical perspectives, and a convulsed period starts, where Alfonso CIFO and Miguel CIFO leave the band, and Carlos CEREZO (drums) and Javier SOLAS (bass) come in. Two years later, SOLAS, GARC�A and VALDIVIESO also quit. Max ZANIN incorporates to the band at the keyboards shortly after.

In 2008, Jani PIHLMAN joins the band as a lead guitar player, showing a perfect connection with SANJU�N and this stabilizes the guitar team with a clearer direction towards progressive metal. However, CEREZO and ZANIN leave the band a year later. In 2009, Jouni PIHLMAN joins the band as a drummer, and CHEKO finally completes the new formation with the bass, keyboards, piano and orchestral arrangements.

In February 2012, FATHER GOLEM releases ''I/O'' and is described by the band as progressive metal with clear influences from many other sources, as well as other styles like jazz but also eclectic elements with inclusion of string quartet, trumpets, saxophones or various types of drums such as the caj�n. The result is composed of seven autonomous songs that present different concepts. It has been self-produced by Jani PIHLMAN and mixed with the collaboration of Erik Monson�s.

The band draws influences from classic progressive rock bands such as KING CRIMSON, PINK FLOYD, RUSH, GENESIS, YES, MARILLION but also from recent rock, metal and progressive bands such as TEXTURES, EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY, A PERFECT CIRCLE, PORCUPINE TREE, TOOL with a touch of PAIN OF SALVATION.

Biography adopted by the band's website, edited by aapatsosread more