Winter's Verge
Encyclopedia
Winter's Verge is a power metal
band formed in Nicosia
, Cyprus
in 2004. Winter's Verge is one of the best-known bands from Cyprus and one of the few artists signed to an international record label and having participated in overseas tours, most notably with Finnish
band Stratovarius
. Their latest album entitled Tales of Tragedy
was released in January 2010 by Massacre Records
.
based keyboardist, Stefanos Psillides, who 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. Psillides set to work developing his style and technique to fulfil the vision he shared with George for the project, power metal
in the vein of bands like Rhapsody of Fire
, Sonata Arctica
and Stratovarius
. The project was initially named Lunar Eclipse. Charalambous and Psillides then searched for the right guitarist that would meet the requirements of their aims, and after many lineup changes they had found Pericles Mallopoulos. Mallopoulos had been playing guitar and singing in other local music venues professionally. He decided to focus more on his guitar playing abilities and joined the band. Larnaca
-based drummer Andreas Charalambous was contacted and, sharing similar musical tastes, also joined the band. As it was discovered that the name Lunar Eclipse was already used by another project, the band's name was changed to Winter's Verge.
Along with bassist Charis Achilleos, Winter's Verge recorded a 4-track demo, entitled 'Another Life, Another End', which sold out very quickly. Achilleos then decided to leave the band due to army commitments and a replacement was found in the shape of bassist Miguel Trapezaris, a veteran of the local metal scene and a classically-trained musician.
Winter's Verge then 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 demo album was distributed to several labels and overseas traders, gaining a respectable underground following.
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 resumed with an energetic pace on new material and further developments.
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. Being recorded in the Music Factory Studio in Kempten
, Germany
under the guidance of R.D. Liapakis and Christian Schmid, the new album entitled Eternal Damnation
had a far superior sound quality to the demo. The album was released worldwide on 14 March 2008 to mostly positive reviews.
The band supported Mystic Prophecy
on their first Cyprus appearance on 22/03/08.
In April 2008 local Cyprus legend Chris Ioannides replaced drummer Andreas Charalambous, who left the band for personal and professional reasons. Charalambous 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
. On 23 November 2009, Winter's Verge parted ways with Limb Music
and signed a new record deal with German label Massacre Records
. Tales of Tragedy was released on 29 January 2010, while the band was on the road with Stratovarius
as support for the Polaris
world tour.
Winter's Verge are currently working on new material, with the as-yet untitled new album to be recorded in April 2011.
and progressive metal
bands such as Stratovarius
, Symphony X
, Rhapsody of Fire
, Dream Theater
as well as older, more classic bands such as Metallica
, Iron Maiden
and Manowar. Faint death metal
influences are occasionally displayed, with a few growling vocals passages. The individual members cite a wide variety of influences, ranging from Pantera
and glam metal
to classical music and black metal.
EPs
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 Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
, Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
in 2004. Winter's Verge is one of the best-known bands from Cyprus and one of the few artists signed to an international record label and having participated in overseas tours, most notably with Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
band Stratovarius
Stratovarius
Stratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
. Their latest album entitled Tales of Tragedy
Tales of Tragedy
Tales of Tragedy is the third full-length album released by Cypriot Power metal band Winter's Verge. The harmonies and rhythms on the album are more complex and sophisticated than previous releases, with a darker atmosphere. The guitar work shows a greater influence from thrash and groove metal,...
was released in January 2010 by Massacre Records
Massacre 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...
.
History
George Charalambous had been performing for many years with his band Spirits all over the island, opening for Nightingale and Antimatter amongst other achievements. However, Charalambous could only take the band so far in the geographically restrictive environment. After his military commitments he found a NicosiaNicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
based keyboardist, Stefanos Psillides, who 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. Psillides set to work developing his style and technique to fulfil the vision he shared with George for the project, 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...
in the vein of bands like Rhapsody of Fire
Rhapsody of Fire
Rhapsody of Fire is an Italian symphonic power metal band led by Alex Staropoli. Since forming in 1993, the band has released eight studio albums, one live album, two EPs, and a live DVD...
, Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica are a Finnish power metal band from the town of Kemi, originally assembled in 1995. Their later works contain several elements typical of progressive metal.....
and Stratovarius
Stratovarius
Stratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
. The project was initially named Lunar Eclipse. Charalambous and Psillides then searched for the right guitarist that would meet the requirements of their aims, and after many lineup changes they had found Pericles Mallopoulos. Mallopoulos had been playing guitar and singing in other local music venues professionally. He decided to focus more on his guitar playing abilities and joined the band. Larnaca
Larnaca
Larnaca, is the third largest city on the southern coast of Cyprus after Nicosia and Limassol. It has a population of 72,000 and is the island's second largest commercial port and an important tourist resort...
-based drummer Andreas Charalambous was contacted and, sharing similar musical tastes, also joined the band. As it was discovered that the name Lunar Eclipse was already used by another project, the band's name was changed to Winter's Verge.
Along with bassist Charis Achilleos, Winter's Verge recorded a 4-track demo, entitled 'Another Life, Another End', which sold out very quickly. Achilleos then decided to leave the band due to army commitments and a replacement was found in the shape of bassist Miguel Trapezaris, a veteran of the local metal scene and a classically-trained musician.
Winter's Verge then 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 demo album was distributed to several labels and overseas traders, gaining a respectable underground following.
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 resumed with an energetic pace on new material and further developments.
In the summer of 2007, Winter's Verge received an offer for a record contract from Limb Music
Limb Music
Limb Music is an independent record label based in Hamburg, Germany.-Artists:*Abraxas*Adagio*Archetype*Black Majesty*Burningblack*Burning Point*Casus Belli*Chinchilla*Code of Perfection*Concerto Moon*Cryonic Temple*Domain*Double Dealer*Dungeon...
Products. With the help of Mystic Prophecy
Mystic Prophecy
Mystic Prophecy is a power metal band from Bad Grönenbach, Germany. They have been described as sounding like US-power metal, similar to bands such as Iced Earth , but still without losing the melodies found in European power metal.The band was formed by Valley's Eve bandmates R.D. Liapakis and...
singer R.D. Liapakis, the songs on Another Life...Another End
Another Life...Another End
Another Life...Another End is the debut album released by power metal band Winter's Verge. It was released on 2005 as an EP and on 2006 as a full-length album...
were re-worked and a few new tracks added. Being recorded in the Music Factory Studio in Kempten
Kempten
Kempten can refer to:* Kempten im Allgäu, a town in Bavaria, Germany* Kempten ZH, a district of the town of Wetzikon in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland* Kempton Park, Gauteng, a city in South Africa which was named after Kempten in Bavaria...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
under the guidance of R.D. Liapakis and Christian Schmid, the new album entitled Eternal Damnation
Eternal Damnation
Eternal Damnation is the second full-length album released by Cypriot Power metal band Winter's Verge. It was recorded in Germany and released in April 2008 by Limb Music Productions. The songs from the previously unreleased demo album Another Life...Another End were completely re-worked and...
had a far superior sound quality to the demo. The album was released worldwide on 14 March 2008 to mostly positive reviews.
The band supported Mystic Prophecy
Mystic Prophecy
Mystic Prophecy is a power metal band from Bad Grönenbach, Germany. They have been described as sounding like US-power metal, similar to bands such as Iced Earth , but still without losing the melodies found in European power metal.The band was formed by Valley's Eve bandmates R.D. Liapakis and...
on their first Cyprus appearance on 22/03/08.
In April 2008 local Cyprus legend Chris Ioannides replaced drummer Andreas Charalambous, who left the band for personal and professional reasons. Charalambous 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
Tales of Tragedy
Tales of Tragedy is the third full-length album released by Cypriot Power metal band Winter's Verge. The harmonies and rhythms on the album are more complex and sophisticated than previous releases, with a darker atmosphere. The guitar work shows a greater influence from thrash and groove metal,...
. On 23 November 2009, Winter's Verge parted ways with Limb Music
Limb Music
Limb Music is an independent record label based in Hamburg, Germany.-Artists:*Abraxas*Adagio*Archetype*Black Majesty*Burningblack*Burning Point*Casus Belli*Chinchilla*Code of Perfection*Concerto Moon*Cryonic Temple*Domain*Double Dealer*Dungeon...
and signed a new record deal with German label Massacre Records
Massacre 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...
. Tales of Tragedy was released on 29 January 2010, while the band was on the road with Stratovarius
Stratovarius
Stratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
as support for the Polaris
Polaris (Stratovarius album)
-Japanese track listing:On 7" Vinyl Collector's Edition:- Reception :-2010 Re-Release:On May 21, 2010, Polaris was re-released along with a live album called "Polaris Live" with the following track listing:# Destiny# Hunting High and Low# Speed of Light...
world tour.
Winter's Verge are currently working on new material, with the as-yet untitled new album to be recorded in April 2011.
Influences
The main influences of the band are usually cited as power metalPower 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...
and progressive metal
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
bands such as Stratovarius
Stratovarius
Stratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
, Symphony X
Symphony X
Symphony X is an American progressive metal band from Middletown, New Jersey.Founded in 1994 by guitarist Michael Romeo, their albums The Divine Wings of Tragedy and V: The New Mythology Suite have given the band considerable attention within the progressive metal community...
, Rhapsody of Fire
Rhapsody of Fire
Rhapsody of Fire is an Italian symphonic power metal band led by Alex Staropoli. Since forming in 1993, the band has released eight studio albums, one live album, two EPs, and a live DVD...
, Dream Theater
Dream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
as well as older, more classic bands such as Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
and Manowar. Faint death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
influences are occasionally displayed, with a few growling vocals passages. The individual members cite a wide variety of influences, ranging from Pantera
Pantera
Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. Formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell in 1981, bassist Rex Brown would join in late 1981 with vocalist Terry Glaze. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera had Terry replaced in 1987 with Phil Anselmo as...
and glam metal
Glam metal
Glam metal is a subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene...
to classical music and black metal.
Current Line-up
- George Charalambous - VocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
(2004–present) - Harrys Pari - GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s (2007–present) - Stefanos Psillides - KeyboardsMusical keyboardA musical keyboard is the set of adjacent depressible levers or keys on a musical instrument, particularly the piano. Keyboards typically contain keys for playing the twelve notes of the Western musical scale, with a combination of larger, longer keys and smaller, shorter keys that repeats at the...
(2004–present) - Miguel Trapezaris - BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2006–present) - Chris Ioannides - DrumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(2008–present)
Previous Members
- Charis Achilleos BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2004–2005) - Perikles Mallopoulos GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s (2004–2007) - Andreas Charalambous - DrumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(2004–2008)
Discography
Albums- Another Life...Another EndAnother Life...Another EndAnother Life...Another End is the debut album released by power metal band Winter's Verge. It was released on 2005 as an EP and on 2006 as a full-length album...
(demo album) (2006) - Eternal DamnationEternal DamnationEternal Damnation is the second full-length album released by Cypriot Power metal band Winter's Verge. It was recorded in Germany and released in April 2008 by Limb Music Productions. The songs from the previously unreleased demo album Another Life...Another End were completely re-worked and...
(2008) - Tales of TragedyTales of TragedyTales of Tragedy is the third full-length album released by Cypriot Power metal band Winter's Verge. The harmonies and rhythms on the album are more complex and sophisticated than previous releases, with a darker atmosphere. The guitar work shows a greater influence from thrash and groove metal,...
(2010)
EPs
- Another Life...Another End (2005)