Edenbridge (band)

Edenbridge

Edenbridge performing in 2006
Background information
Origin Austria
Genres Symphonic metal, power metal, progressive metal, neo-classical metal
Years active 1998–present
Labels EOne Entertainment, SPV, Marquee Avalon, Soyuz, Rock Empire, Evolution Music
Associated acts Beto Vázquez Infinity, Serenity, Angra, Gandalf, Missa Mercuria, Power Quest, Michael Bormann
Website http://www.edenbridge.org/en/
Members Sabine Edelsbacher
Lanvall
Max Pointner
Dominik Sebastian
Past members Kurt Bednarsky
Andreas Eibler
Roland Navratil
Georg Edelmann
Frank Bindig
Robert Schoenleitner
Sebastian Lanser
Simon Holzknecht

Edenbridge is a symphonic metal band from Austria. Established in 1998, the band has so far published eight studio albums.

History

Debut album and formation (1998)

Edenbridge was formed in 1998 by guitarist and keyboardist Lanvall, his girlfriend – vocalist Sabine Edelsbacher – and bassist Kurt Bednarsky. The line-up was completed when drummer Roland Navratil joined the band. Edenbridge quickly set to work, and entered the recording studio in 1999, signing a recorded contract with Massacre Records the same year. In autumn the following year, their debut album Sunrise in Eden was released.

Arcana (2000-2001)

The band added a second guitarist, Georg Edelmann, to its line-up in February 2000, but his stay with the band was to be a short one. When he left in January 2001, he was replaced by Andreas Eiblar. Under this line-up, Edenbridge released the album Arcana (2001).

Aphelion and Kurt Bednarsky omit (2002)

During a tour in 2002, Edenbridge's bassist and founding member Kurt Bednarsky left the band. In November the same year, the album Aphelion (2002) was released.

First live concert album and Shine album release (2004)

Their next album, recorded live and entitled A Livetime In Eden, was released in August 2004, followed shortly by Shine in October. At that time, a new bassist, Frank Bindig, joined the band. In December the same year, guitarist Andreas Eibler left the band on friendly terms and was replaced by Martin Mayr.

The Grand Design and first cover single (2006)

The Grand Design (2006), their fifth studio album, was recorded at Lanvall's studio Farpoint Station (one of many Star Trek references surrounding Edenbridge) and was released on May 19, 2006. The single "For Your Eyes Only" was released April 21, featuring the album track "Evermore" and a cover version of the James Bond theme of "For Your Eyes Only" (originally performed by Sheena Easton), the first cover the band have ever recorded.

Napalm Records worldwide deal, The Grand Design release in North America (2007)

Edenbridge has signed a worldwide deal with Napalm Records. Also, on January 30, 2007, Edenbridge released a new album, The Grand Design, in the USA and Canada.

MyEarthDream and first orchestral arrangements (2008)

Edenbridge released their new album MyEarthDream in April 2008. The album features the Czech Film Orchestra (comprising 65 musicians from the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and the Czech State Opera Orchestra), with arrangements by Enrique Ugarte.[1]

New line-up and LiveEarthDream release (2008-2009)

On November 13, 2008, Edenbridge announced the departure of their bass player Frank Bindig. In a press statement from the band, they stated that "...Frank Bindig has decided to leave Edenbridge due to his other projects. Edenbridge wish Frank all the best for the future!". In April 2009, the band announced Simon Holzknecht as their new bass player and Dominik Sebastian as a new guitar player.[2] A few days later, on May 4, 2009, Edenbridge released LiveEarthDream, which was recorded on various concerts in 2008. Limited to 1,000 copies, it could only be ordered exclusively through their fanshop.

Solitaire (2010)

The band announced the title of their new album: Solitaire. It was released on July 2, 2010. Solitaire did not enter the Austrian charts but peaked at position 95 in Germany.[3] In February 2010, Edenbridge announced that bassist Simon Holzknecht had left the band due to personal reasons.[4]

Website update, The Bonding release (2012-2013)

At the beginning of 2012, Edenbridge updated their website for the first time in nearly a year, citing personal reasons for the band's recent hiatus. It was also announced that the band was working on a new album for release in 2012.[5] In 2012, the band also offered the opportunity for fans to help sponsor the new album's orchestra recordings, as this can become very expensive. In late 2012, all orchestra and drum recordings had been completed.[6] Bassist Wolfgang Rothbauer who formerly played for Disbelief and Zombie Inc. joined Edenbridge in 2013.[7] The eighth studio album The Bonding was released in June 2013.

A Decade And A Half... The History So Far, 15th anniversary (2014-2015)

In November 2014, the band announced their first video album, called A Decade And A Half... The History So Far to celebrate their 15th anniversary. The video album contains early beginnings of the band, tour and studio documentaries and live concerts from 1998 to 2014. The album will be released in May 8th 2015.

Band members

Current members

  • Sabine Edelsbacher – vocals (1998–present)
  • Lanvall – guitar, keyboards, piano, acoustic guitar, bass, bouzouki (1998–present)
  • Max Pointner – drums (2008–present)
  • Dominik Sebastian – guitar (2009–present)
  • Wolfgang Rothbauer – bass (2013–present)

Former members

  • Kurt Bednarsky – bass (1998–2002)
  • Roland Navratil – drums (1998–2007)
  • Georg Edelmann – guitar (2000–2001)
  • Andreas Eibler – guitar (2000–2004)
  • Frank Bindig – bass (2004–2008)
  • Martin Mayr – guitar (2005–2006)
  • Robert Schoenleitner – guitar (2006–2008)
  • Sebastian Lanser – drums (2007–2008)
  • Simon Holzknecht – bass (2009–2010)

Touring members

  • Andreas Oberhause – bass (2002)
  • Mike Koren – bass (2003)
  • Dominik Sebastian – guitar (2008)

Guest musicians

  • Stefan Model – bass (2003)

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Compilation albums

Singles

Video albums

Notes

  1. ↑ "Edenbridge: New album title revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
  2. ↑ "Verstärkung bei Edenbridge!" [Edenbridge Gets Support!]. Orkus (in German). 30 April 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  3. ↑ "Suchergebnisse in den deutschen Charts" [Search Results for the German Charts]. Charts.de (in German). Media Control. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  4. ↑ "Edenbridge parts ways with bassist, seeks replacement". Blabbermouth. 24 February 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  5. ↑ "Edenbridge Website". News update. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  6. ↑ "Studio Update!". Edenbridge official website. November 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  7. ↑ Peters, Jens; Jaedike, Jan (2013). [http://www.rockhard.de/megazine/reviewarchiv/review-anzeigen.html?tx_rxsearch_pi1[review]=31159 "The Bonding"]. Rock Hard (in German) (314).

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Edenbridge.