Anubis Gate
| Anubis Gate | |
|---|---|
| Also known as |
V-AXE Graff Spee |
| Origin | Denmark |
| Genres |
Progressive metal Power metal |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | Locomotive Music, Nightmare Records |
| Associated acts | Invocator, Prophets of Doom, Northern Empire, Geronimo, Pyramaze, Third Eye |
| Website | |
| Members |
Kim Olesen Henrik Fevre Michael Bodin Morten Gade Sørensen |
Anubis Gate is a heavy/progressive/power metal band from Denmark. Despite having formed Anubis Gate only in 2003, the members regularly worked together since 1984. They have released five studio albums, and their most recent release is 2013's free download EP "Sheep". Their sixth album "Horizons" is due for release on April 15, 2014.
History
The band released their first album in 2004, but their history can be traced back to 1984, with bassist Jesper M. Jensen and Henrik Fevre as guitarist and vocalist forming V-AXE. The group changed their name to Graff Spee, and the line-up was completed with drummer Per M. Jensen (ex-Invocator/ex-The Haunted). Gaining some reputation in the local circles, Graff Spee released a few demos, but eventually split up in 1986 "due to creative differences".[1]
Jesper and Per went on to form heavy metal band Extreme Feedback in 1987, recruiting Morten Sørensen as vocalist and Kim Olesen as guitarist. In 1989 both Jesper and Per moved to Esbjerg to join Jacob Hansen's Invocator, releasing a couple of demos and also a full length album "Excursion Demise" in 1991, before Jesper split and moved back to Aalborg. In the early 90's Jesper joined Sørensen (now on drums) in rap-metal act Geronimo, and released an EP in 1995 before the group was disbanded. These two musicians kept in contact however, and began to write new material together in a melodic power metal style.[2]
After releasing an instrumental demo under the name of Seven Powers one more band member was recruited; Torben Askholm (previously in Prophets Of Doom and Northern Empire) joined as vocalist and the recording of a demo which eventually became the backbone of their debut album began. Thus "Purification" was produced during 2003 and released April 26, 2004. The album aroused a great deal of interest and delight with the press and the audience, and soon both Kim Olesen and Henrik Fevre (who had guested on their debut as both writers and musicians) were made permanent members to solidify the line-up for the next album. "A Perfect Forever" was released on September 19, 2005.[2] Few months before the band's first gig at Prog Power Europe Askholm quit the band, and Fevre took over vocal dutites for a couple of gigs. Eventually Jacob Hansen, the old friend from Invocator and also producer of the first two albums was chosen as the new singer, and the third album "Andromeda Unchained" came out August 14, 2007.[3] The album saw the band changing from the early power metal to include more prog metal elements. It was nominated for best production, best album and best artwork at Danish Metal Awards 2008 and won the latter.
The year 2008 saw Anubis Gate writing their most ambitious work, the concept album "The Detached" upon a synopsis by Martin Rauff. It was released March 30, 2009 and also nominated for three Danish Metal Awards (Best album, Best cover artwork and best production) at the show of 2010. It won for Best Production - made by Kim Olesen & Jacob Hansen. It also marked the end of Anubis Gate’s obligations with label Locomotive Music.
Fifth Album and Jacob Hansen's Departure
Several other companies showed interest as the band in 2010 embarked on writing material for their fifth album, which was scheduled for release in the fall of 2011. In fact most of the songs were already finished when Jacob Hansen announced his surprising departure from the band. Luckily Anubis Gate had a replacement within the band; bassplayer Henrik Fevre, who did backing vocals and the occasional lead on recent albums. Demos of the new material, produced by Kim Olesen secured the band a record deal in March 2011 with Minnesota-based Nightmare Records. The self-titled album was released September 13, 2011 and for the first time in the band's history it was accompanied by a single and a video for "Golden days". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ravGcKto3I.
Anubis Gate concerts have always been rare. But 2012 saw the band returning to Prog Power Europe, this time as co-headliners. It also marked the departure of founding member Jesper M. Jensen, who was replaced by Michael Bodin (Third Eye). Few months later the other founding member, drummer Morten Sørensen also left the band. He is now replaced by Morten Gade Sørensen (Pyramaze, Wuthering heights).
On October 31, 2013 the new 4-piece released a free download EP called "Sheep" consisting of the original "Destined to remember" from the forthcoming 6th album, "Horizons" due for release on April 15, 2014 and two covers: The Pink Floyd classic "Sheep" and Mr. Misters "Broken wings". Free download here: http://nightmarerecords.com/online-store/anubis-gate-free-ep-mp3
The band is booked to play the Rock Harvest III festival in Baltimore, USA, October 30th 2014.
Musically, several groups like Queensrÿche, Iron Maiden, Lord Bane, Tad Morose, Iced Earth, Crimson Glory, Fates Warning, King Crimson, Genesis and Savatage were once credited by the record label Locomotive as influential sources of inspiration for Anubis Gate.[2]
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Purification | Locomotive Music |
| 2005 | A Perfect Forever | |
| 2007 | Andromeda Unchained | |
| 2009 | The Detached | |
| 2011 | Anubis Gate | Nightmare Records |
| 2014 | Horizons | |
EPs/singles (download only)
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Golden days | Nightmare Records |
| 2013 | Sheep | |
Band members
Current members
- Kim Olesen - guitar, keyboards (2005–present; additional musician: 2003-2005)
- Henrik Fevre - bass, backing vocals (2005–present; additional musician: 2003-2005), lead vocals (2011-present)
- Michael Bodin - guitar (2012–present)
- Morten Gade Sørensen - drums (2012–present)
Formers members
- Torben Askholm - lead vocals (2003-2005)
- Jacob Hansen - lead vocals (2006-2011)
- Jesper M. Jensen - guitar, keyboards (2003-2012), bass (2003-2005)
- Morten Sørensen - drums (2003-2012)