Paradox (German band)

Paradox
Origin Würzburg, Bavaria
Genres Thrash metal, Power metal,[1] Speed metal[1]
Years active 1986–1991, 1998–present
Labels AFM Records
Members Charly Steinhauer
Oliver Holzwarth
Alex Holzwarth

Paradox is a German power/thrash metal band formed in 1986.[1]

History

The group was formed in Würzburg in 1986 by two young musicians, Charly Steinhauer and Axel Blaha. Both of them were founding members of German cover bands of Overkill, Venom and Warhead since 1981. In February 1986 Markus Spyth joined on guitar and Roland Stahl on bass.

In July 1986 the band recorded a demo, drawing the attention of Roadrunner Records who went on to produce their first two albums. In 1987, their second demo "Mystery" was a success for the band, the German press calling it the best demo of the year. In the same year the band started recording their first album Product of Imagination, which contained 10 songs and lasted 40 minutes. It was a success in Germany, with the music magazine Metal Hammer recognising it as the best German debut after Walls of Jericho by Helloween.

A year before releasing their second album, Roland Stahl left the band to be replaced by Matthias 'Kater' Schmitt. Shortly afterwards Spyth Markus also decided to leave the band and was replaced by Dieter Roth.

In November 1989, Paradox released their second album Heresy. The international acclaim received by the album helped to bring a worldwide fanbase to Paradox. In 1990, Markus Spyth was replaced by Kai Pasemann. From this year on, the band remained on hold for personal reasons of the members, and continuing line-up changes did not help their activity.

The band was inactive for almost ten years. In 1998 Charly Steinhauer had plans to reform Paradox. The new line-up featured Kai Pasemann on guitar and brothers Oliver and Alex Holzwarth on bass and drums respectively.

In May 2000 Paradox signed with AFM Records and released their third album Collision Course. Once again the album received very positive reviews.

After this album the band again went on hiatus, this time because Charly Steinhauer contracted a serious intestinal disease.

In September 2005 Charly Steinhauer again reassembled the band with Roland Jahoda on drums and Olly Keller on bass.

In January 2008 Paradox released their fourth album, Electrify, which became a success especially in Japan.

In October 2009 the band released its fifth album, Riot Squad, the album's main themes concerning the problems and violence present in civilization. The artwork was designed by Italian artist / Chile Claudio Bergamin who had also created the artwork for Electrify.

On December 14th 2012 they released "Tales of the Weird."

Paradox is currently working on a new album, which is due for release in 2015,[2] and is a concept album and a sequel to the band's 1989 album Heresy.[3] However, the band stated on their Facebook page that their new album will not be called Heresy II.[4]

Members

Past members

Guitar

Bass

Drums

Vocals

Discography

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Paradox – Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
  2. ↑ Paradox Re-Signs With AFM Records
  3. ↑ Paradox Collaborating With Vogt Brothers On 'Heresy II' Concept Album
  4. ↑ Paradox New Album 2015