Coronatus
Encyclopedia
Band history
Coronatus was founded in 1999 by Georgios Grigoriadis and Mats Kurth, and the single Von Engeln nur was recorded in 2003. Grigoriadis left at the end of 2004 and, under Kurth, the group took on two new singers, Carmen R. Schäfer and Viola Schuch. Fabian Merkt (keyboard) joined in early 2006, and Stefan Häfele (guitar) and Wolle Nillies (bass) also joined in 2006. Viola Schuch left in 2007 and was replaced by Ada Flechtner. Chriz diAnno (bass) has played with the band in 2003, 2005–2006, and then again since 2007. Ada Flechtner left the band to devote full attention to her studies. Mid 2010, Dirk Baur joined the Band on Bass Guitar. On February 10, 2011, the band announced that they split their ways with the singer, Natalia Kempin, due to different opinions about the band's music. Her place in the upcoming tour will take Viola Schuch, the former member of the band. Also, Ada Flechtner rejoined Coronatus for the tour.Biography
CORONATUS stands for Double-Female-Fronted-Metal from Germany. The unprecedented combination of the exceptional singer Carmen R. Lorch (formerly Schäfer) with the operatic vocals (also a guest musician at ILLUMINATE and BRAINSTORM, etc.) and rock voice Lisa Lasch sets new standards in their genre. The ingenious interplay between the two singers is the basis for both powerful and catchy as well as soulful metal compositions, on which the beautiful duets of the two ladies are able to put a unique finishing touch. The lyrics in English, German and Latin all contribute to the diversity that appeals to very different music tastes.Within a few years CORONATUS has developed from a project to a steady combo with that everyone has to reckon in the metal scene. After first great national and international performances with bands like HAGGARD etc. in 2007 the first album ’’Lux Noctis’’ and 2008 the second album "Porta Obscura” were released on Massacre Records. Both albums were recorded and mixed in Klangschmiede Studio E by Markus Stock (THE VISION BLEAK) and mastered in the Finnvox Studios in Helsinki by Mika Jussila (NIGHTWISH, CHILDREN OF BODOM, etc.), and have already achieved a for newcomers unusual good sales result. In January 2008, CORONATUS played as direct support of WITHIN TEMPTATION in front of about 1500 visitors in the Petöfi Hall in Budapest, followed by further concerts with magnitudes of the metal scene like MIDNATTSOL, COPPELIUS, DORO, TARJA, EPICA and KRYPTERIA. Since its founding by George G., now retired, and drummer Mats Kurth the band often restructured, resulting in the current lineup of a very dynamic force. The new band members Aria Keramati Noori from Tehran, Iran, on guitar and Todd Goldfinger, New York, United States, on the bass guitar represent impressively the international qualities of the band. So CORONATUS often had the occasion to inspire the audience on major festivals, such as the Metal Female Voices Fest 2009, with spectacular performances.
The new album "Fabula Magna" will be released in December 2009 on Massacre Records. A driving, direct, sometimes aggressive rhythm section builds a unique, enthralling atmosphere, together with the embossed melodies by the piano, flute, bagpipe and fiddle on which the multi-faceted vocals of the two front women shine. CORONATUS is through the linkage of different music styles interesting for both fans of the heavier- and fans of the more emotional metal music.
The band has proven their sense for rocking, energetic parts and for Ballads on their two previous albums. They have emerged a lot over the years. "Fabula Magna” comes with a new power and even more complex compositions. The lyrics range thematically between as many directions as linguistically, but are rooted primarily in the legends, stories and myths being told all over the world. So you could designate CORONATUS as modern bardics, which have devoted their whole hearts and souls to this matter.
At Spring of 2010 year Carmen Lorch and Lisa Lasch left the band, a new soprano-vocalist Natalia Kempin became the singer (from Russian symphonic extreme metal band Arcane Grail). Also Mareike Makosch has joined to fill the roll of rock singer. On February 10, 2011, it was announced that Viola Schuch and Ada Flechtner will be coming back as the singer for the upcoming tour because Natalia had to leave the band due to different opinions that emerged between the band and the now ex-singer.
Musical style
The band follows in the style of established groups NightwishNightwish
Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. Formed in 1996 by songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former vocalist Tarja Turunen, Nightwish's current line-up has five members, although Tarja has been replaced by Anette Olzon and the...
and Epica
Epica (band)
Epica is a Dutch symphonic metal band founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen subsequent to his departure from After Forever. They are known for their symphonic sound and the use of female vocals and male growls performed by Simone Simons and Mark Jansen, respectively. All six members write...
. Their lyrics are in German, English and Latin, and their songs deal with life, interpersonal relationships, religion and death. Their musical style is melodic, rhythmic Gothic metal
Gothic metal
Gothic metal or goth metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that combines the aggression of doom metal with the dark melancholy of gothic rock. The music of gothic metal is diverse with bands known to adopt the gothic approach to different styles of heavy metal music...
with influences from Symphonic metal
Symphonic metal
Symphonic metal is a term used to describe heavy metal music that has symphonic elements; that is, elements that are either borrowed from classical music or, as with progressive rock music, create a style reminiscent of it, e.g...
and Pagan metal
Pagan metal
Pagan metal is an umbrella term for heavy metal music which fuses extreme metal with "the pre-Christian traditions of a specific culture or region through thematic concept, rustic melodies, unusual instruments or archaic languages", usually referring to folk metal or black metal. The Norwegian band...
. Songs are performed by two singers whose styles are very different.
Concerts and recordings
The band's first contract was in June 2007 with record label Massacre RecordsMassacre Records
Massacre Records is an independent record label based in Abstatt, Germany.The label was founded in 1991 by Torsten Hartmann. The label is specialized on bands of the harder varieties of metal...
and their first CD was released on 21 September 2007. Their second album was launched on 28 November 2008. The band has also taken part in several concerts with groups such as Haggard
Haggard (band)
Haggard is a German symphonic metal musical group founded in 1991. The group combines classical music and early music with doom metal.-Background:...
and Within Temptation
Within Temptation
Within Temptation is a Dutch symphonic gothic metal/rock band founded in 1996 by vocalist Sharon den Adel and guitarist Robert Westerholt. Their music is described as symphonic metal, although their earlier material, such as Enter, was gothic metal. In an interview, Den Adel said they fell into a...
.
The Band
- Aria Keramati Noori [Guitar]
- Viola Schuch [Vocals], touring member
- Ada Flechtner [Vocals]
- Mareike Makosch [Vocals]
- Mats Kurth [Drums]
- Dirk Baur [Bass Guitar]
Discography
- Lux NoctisLux NoctisLux Noctis is the first full-length studio album by German gothic metal band Coronatus.-Track listing:#"Interrote Speranze" - 1:28#"The Scream of the Butterfly" - 4:17#"Silberlicht" - 4:01#"Dunkle Blume" - 4:37#"My Rose Desire" - 4:01...
(21 September 2007) - Porta ObscuraPorta ObscuraPorta Obscura is the second studio album by German gothic metal band Coronatus. It contains 11 tracks plus 2 bonus tracks included in the limited edition digipak which was released along with the standard edition...
(28 November 2008) - Fabula MagnaFabula MagnaFabula Magna is the third full-length studio album by German gothic metal band Coronatus.-Track listing:#"Preface" - 1:32#"Geisterkirche" - 4:35#"Tantalos" - 3:32#"Wolfstanz" - 5:16#"Der Fluch" - 5:24#"Flying By " - 5:03...
(18 December 2009) - Terra Incognita (18 November 2011)