Winter's Verge
Template:Infobox musical artist 2
Winter's Verge is a power metal band formed in Nicosia, Cyprus in 2004. They have released one demo EP and one demo album both entitled Another Life...Another End. Their latest album entitled Eternal Damnation was released on March 14, 2008 by Limb Music Products. Winter's Verge are currently working on a new album entitled "Tales of Tragedy". Release date is yet to be announced.
History
George (vocals) had been performing for many years with his band Spirits, all over the island, opening for Nightingale and Antimatter amongst other great achievements. However, in the suffocating sea of indifference that is the closed society of Cyprus, George could only take it so far. After his military commitments he searched for a person that would embrace the same vision that he had in music and start a band that would be different and unique in its style, especially in Cyprus. Stefanos (keyboards) had been performing at a local club for a while, playing a style totally different from the one he is currently playing with in the band. After re-discovering his love for music he rapidly developed his technique in order to play the music he truly loved within his heart. Coming into contact with George they realized their common goal and mission in metal and promptly decided to form a new project, named Lunar Eclipse (before it was discovered that the name was already taken). George and Stefanos searched for the right guitarist that would meet the requirements of their vision. After many lineup changes made within the year they had found Pericles. Pericles (guitar) had been playing guitar and singing in other local music venues professionally, before he found his true calling. He decided to focus more on his guitar playing abilities and join the band. Now was the time to search for a drummer that would take the band to a different level. Andreas (drums) was also a member of a fellow Cyprus metal band, called Fallen Angel. Andreas was a drummer looking for a band where they would play the style he loved to listen to the most.. more melodic, and a little faster. Coming into contact with George, Andreas fit perfectly into Lunar Eclipse. Along with bassist Charis, who had been playing into various other bands before, Lunar Eclipse who changed their name to Winter's Verge recorded a 4-track demo, entitled 'Another Life, Another End'.
The demo was a success and sold out rapidly, which was a great surprise, considering Metal's (and especially Power Metal's) marginalized position in Cyprus. After this point, the band had started to be considered major players in the Cyprus Heavy Metal scene, when out of the blue it suffered a major set back. Charis announced he was leaving the band, due to personal reasons. Winter's Verge searched for a suitable replacement that would fit perfectly to the band's style and soon found it in the energy bomb called Miguel. Miguel had been a member of several other local bands of wildly differing styles (from progressive-gothic metal to old-school black metal, as well as performing classical music in university orchestras). When his projects came to an end due to the military commitments of other members, Miguel leapt at the chance to join Winter's Verge.
With the band re-strengthened, Winter's Verge entered the studio to record the first full-length album, entitled 'Another Life...Another End' like the demo, as the 4 songs on the demo were re-recorded and modified, along with 5 new tracks. The album was recorded at Music Works Studios in Nicosia (regarded by many as the finest facility on the island) and engineered by the highly experienced Jimmy Demitri, the sound came out unlike anything else that had emerged yet from the country; fresh, clear and powerful but with just enough rawness to remind one of the true roots of the music.
In May 2007, Pericles and Winter's Verge decided to part ways due to personal issues. The guitarist role was promptly filled after a brief search by Harry Pari, and work has resumed with an energetic pace on new material and further developments. [1]
In the summer of 2007, Winter's Verge received an offer for a record contract from Limb Music Products. With the help of Mystic Prophecy singer R.D. Liapakis, the songs on Another Life...Another End were re-worked and a few new tracks added. The sound of the album was far more clear, focused and powerful than the demo album, being recorded in the Music Factory Studio in Kempten, Germany under the guidance of R.D. Liapakis and Christian Schmid [2]. The album was released on 14 March 2008 with worldwide acceptance.
The band supported Mystic Prophecy on their first Cyprus appearance on 22/03/08, CY Metal Attack.
In April 2008 Chris Ioannides replaced drummer and good friend Andreas Charalambous, who left the band for personal and professional reasons. Andreas continues to be the webmaster of the band's official site.
In late March 2009, the band re-entered the studio in Germany and recorded their second album, "Tales of Tragedy", compiled of 10 brand new songs and 1 never before released song. The album is currently in production.
Winter's Verge also announced their new manager in April 2009, Jason Mercury, who is also working with Bob Katsionis (Firewind) in the "Out Loud" side project of the latter.
Members
Current Line-up
- George Charalambous - Vocals (2004-present)
- Harrys Pari - Guitars (2007-present)
- Stefanos Psillides - Keyboards (2004-present)
- Miguel Trapezaris - Bass (2006-present)
- Chris Ioannides - Drums (2008-present)
Previous Members
- Charis Ioannou Bass (2004-2005)
- Perikles Mallopoulos Guitars (2004-2007)
- Andreas Charalambous - Drums (2004-2008)
Discography
Albums
- Another Life...Another End (2006)
- Eternal Damnation (2008)
EPs
- Another Life...Another End (2005)