Empyria
Encyclopedia
Empyria is a progressive
power metal
band, formed in 1991 by Mike Kischnick, Paul Falcon, and Simon Adam in Vancouver, British Columbia
, Canada
.
influence. Behind Closed Doors, which featured a more progressive metal sound and was their first actual label release, was released in 1996 on the Noise Records (Germany)
record label.
In 1997, original singer/bassist Falcon left the band and was replaced by Phil Leite (vocals) and Ken Firomski (bass). The third album, Changing Currents, was released in 1998 independently and distributed by Nightmare Records (U.S.A.).
A progressive metal compilation album, The Awakening, was released in 1998 by KMI Ent., which featured Empyria's title track Changing Currents.
In 2000, The Legacy was released by Nightmare Records (USA). It featured for the first time all four parts of Empyria's The Lighter Sides of Darkness as a continuous 25-minute epic, plus a cover of The Police
's "Synchronicity II
".
The next album, Sense Of Mind, from 2002, continued the vein of the previous album in general, adding more melody to the songs.
A compilation album , Westcoast Canadian Metal Feast, was released in 2001, just prior to Empyria's Sense Of Mind album and featured the title track.
In 2003, Empyria took a long hiatus due to Kischnick's involvement in 5 albums and 2 tours with Canadian Metal band Thor
and various other projects.
The three remaining members — Leite, Adam, and Firomski - continued to work on various music projects, shows/bands.
In 2009, Empyria released The Long Road Home through Nightmare Records, with the return of Falcon (bass), Phil Leite (vocals), Kischnick (guitars/synth) and new drummer Scott Gamble. The album saw a return to their progressive rock & metal influences.
New Single "The Sheltering ( 2011 A.D.)" to be released July 1 (CANADA DAY) 2011 with long time bassist Ken Firomski.
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band, formed in 1991 by Mike Kischnick, Paul Falcon, and Simon Adam in Vancouver, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
History
The first album (8-song cassette), Ornamental Ironworks, was released in 1993, featuring a progressive rockProgressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
influence. Behind Closed Doors, which featured a more progressive metal sound and was their first actual label release, was released in 1996 on the Noise Records (Germany)
Noise Records (Germany)
Noise Records was a German record label founded by German music industry personality Karl-Ulrich Walterbach in 1983 as an expansion of his company Modern Music Records. Noise Records specialized in thrash and melodic speed metal. It was sold to the Sanctuary Records Group in 2001 and ceased any...
record label.
In 1997, original singer/bassist Falcon left the band and was replaced by Phil Leite (vocals) and Ken Firomski (bass). The third album, Changing Currents, was released in 1998 independently and distributed by Nightmare Records (U.S.A.).
A progressive metal compilation album, The Awakening, was released in 1998 by KMI Ent., which featured Empyria's title track Changing Currents.
In 2000, The Legacy was released by Nightmare Records (USA). It featured for the first time all four parts of Empyria's The Lighter Sides of Darkness as a continuous 25-minute epic, plus a cover of The Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
's "Synchronicity II
Synchronicity II
"Synchronicity II" is a song by The Police, described by People Weekly as "aggressive" and "steely." It was recorded in 1983 and was included on the album Synchronicity. It was released as a single in the UK and the U.S. by A&M Records. The third single from the album, it reached number 17 in the...
".
The next album, Sense Of Mind, from 2002, continued the vein of the previous album in general, adding more melody to the songs.
A compilation album , Westcoast Canadian Metal Feast, was released in 2001, just prior to Empyria's Sense Of Mind album and featured the title track.
In 2003, Empyria took a long hiatus due to Kischnick's involvement in 5 albums and 2 tours with Canadian Metal band Thor
Thor (band)
Thor is a heavy metal band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.-Biography:Thor started out out as a concept band in 1973. They were first called "Centaur" and then "Mikl Body Rock". These entities were the brainchild of Jon Mikl Thor, a vocalist, musician and body building champion who won...
and various other projects.
The three remaining members — Leite, Adam, and Firomski - continued to work on various music projects, shows/bands.
In 2009, Empyria released The Long Road Home through Nightmare Records, with the return of Falcon (bass), Phil Leite (vocals), Kischnick (guitars/synth) and new drummer Scott Gamble. The album saw a return to their progressive rock & metal influences.
New Single "The Sheltering ( 2011 A.D.)" to be released July 1 (CANADA DAY) 2011 with long time bassist Ken Firomski.
Studio albums
- Ornamental Ironworks (1993 (8-song cassette))
- Behind Closed Doors (1996)
- Changing Currents (1998)
- The Legacy (2000)
- Sense Of Mind (2002, DVD format Limited Edition)
- The Long Road Home (2009)
Compilation albums
- Powerquest (compilation) - The Awakening (1998)
- Westcoast Canadian Metal Feast (compilation) - Scrape Records (2001)
- Nightmare Records Sampler (compilation) - Nightmare Records (2010)
Current members
- Mike Kischnick: guitars/synth (1991–present)
- Phil Leite: vocals (1997–present)
- Paul Falcon: bass (1991–97; 2008–present)
- Scott Gamble: drums (2008–present)
Former members
- Simon Adam: drums (1991–2008)
- Ken Firomski: bass (1997–2008)
- Troy Taillon: drums (1993 & 1995)
Special guests
- Troy Taillon: drums ("Forever" 2002)
- Rob Matharu: guitar (solos on the songs "Heaven's Cry" and "Sense Of Mind" (2002)
- Neville Bowman: keyboard (solo on "The Endless Circle" (2009)
- Pat Brown: vocals (background vocals on "No Other Way" (2009)
- Steve Bifford: Additional Guitars "Live"(2010)
- John Buck: Bass "Live 2011"