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Adagio biography





Hailing from Montpellier, France, ADAGIO was formed in 2000 by guitarist Stephan FORTE, a former graduate of the CMCN Music Academy in Nancy, having undergone compositional studies of the baroque and classical periods as well as Jazz fusion. In 1996, he released his first symphonic metal instrumental demo," Visions", which lead to an opening slot for Yngwie MALMSTEEN. Having added vocals and expanded his catalogue to eight original compositions, he was offered a tentative contract by French record company N.T.S, who suggested he form his own band. FORTE recruited vocalist David READMAN (PINK CREAM 69) to the band, having met him at a concert during summer of 2000, when they quickly became enthusiastic about a mutual collaboration. Although FORTE programmed most of the keyboard arrangements himself, he was ably assisted by Richard ANDERSSON (MAJESTIC), while the line-up was completed by a rhythm section comprising of Franck HERMANNY on bass and Dirk BRUINENBERG (ELEGY) on the drum stool, who were initially called in as guest musicians.

The result of this collaboration was the band's debut, "Sanctus Ignis" (2001), produced by Pink Cream 69's bassist Dennis WARD, having previously worked with VANDEN PLAS, AXXIS and DC COOPER in this regard. Designed as a showcase for FORTE's skills, hallmarked by long, intricate guitar parts of great technical virtuosity, "Sanctus Ignis" could best be described as a dark, slightly melancholic progressive metal release in the symphonic/ neo-classical tradition. Influenced by MALMSTEEN on the one hand and bands such as SYMPHONY X on the other, FORTE's guitars were ably complemented by READMAN's searing vocals, soaring above the Frenchman's compositions, such as "Second Sight", "Sanctus Ignis" and the monumental "Seven Lands Of Sin", however the release became of particular interest of guitarists and received notable success in France and Japan.

Their follow-up, "Underworld" (2003) was the consequence of two year's intense song-writing from FORTE, whose pre-occupation with the themes of death and existence, resulted in an altogether darker release, featuring more overtly orchestral elements supported by Rose HREIDMARR (ANOREXIA NERVOSA) on a vocals, as well as the 50 strong choir 'Ensemble Vocal de Lyon'. The arrival of permanent keyboard player, the classically trained Kevin CODFERT (who would later become more involved in the production and mixing of the albums in his own studio), added to the richness of the orchestrations, underlining the vision FORTE had for the band's overall sound. 

Upon its release on the SPV label however, the band were forced into making two personnel changes. Drummer BRUINENBERG left the band for personal reasons, to be replaced by Eric LEBAILLES and shortly afterwards, vocalist READMAN was to depart the band citing a conflict of interests with his management team and other commitments. Happily, the band was able to recruit Brazilian, Gus MONSANTO as their new vocalist, immediately prior to their first headlining tour, through France, Holland and Spain in support of the album; a tour which resulted in their first live album "A BAND IN UPPERWORLD" (2004), recorded live in Paris, that February. Later that year, ADAGIO were also to fulfil their first US date, at the 'ProgPower USA V' Festival, in September.

Their third album, "Dominate" (2005) which saw the band sign to the 'DoubleVision/SONY BMG' label, was undoubtedly affected by these personnel changes. ADAGIO's sound had evolved from their original, expansive symphonic metal style into a more stripped down power metal style, while still adhering to their trademark elements of virtuosity with progressive influences. "Dominate" implemented an altogether heavier sound, with harsher more extreme vocals from MONSANTO, with occasional death metal growls; providing a darker image which appealed to a broader fan base within the gothic and black metal movement, while alienating some support from their more traditional progressive metal fan base.

After a hiatus, ADAGIO spent much of 2007 touring, opening for Robert Plant in the Carthage Amphitheater in Tunisia, in front of a crowd of 6500. Several headlining shows in Europe were followed by a three date tour to Japan in September, where they played Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. 2008 saw work underway for the band's 4th studio, "Archangels in Black" (2009), a concept album about vampires, however a further personnel change was forced upon the band; MONSANTO being replaced by vocalist Christian PALIN (although MONSANTO did contribute some backing vocals to the new album). In an attempt to partly return to their roots, FORTE's aim for the sound of the compositions on "Archangels" was to be "the ultimate between melodic and extreme metal, and can be considered as a more brutal version of their second album Underworld", however the dark metal overtones were still prominent.

FORTE spent the following year writing and recording his first solo album, the all instrumental "The Shadows Compendium" (2011) where he joined forces with Jeff LOOMIS (NEVERMORE), Rusty Cooley (SHRAPNEL) and Phil Campbell (MOTORHEAD) which he described as having "lots of shred and twisted harmonies". Keyboards were performed by CODFERT, who also produced the album. More recently, members of ADAGIO have collaborated with the French music director Jean-Claude CASADESUS from the Lille National Orchestra, in the hope to record an album together, perform a live show, and record and release a subsequent live album, during 2013/14. Meanwhile, vocalist PALIN has left the band, to be replaced by Kelly 'Sundown' CARPENTER (OUTWORLD, BEYOND TWILIGHT) and ADAGIO'S fifth studio album is planned to be released in November 2014.

Stylistically, ADAGIO's music is known by its technical precision and complexity, together with dark orchestral overtones, which are complemented with a powerful and driving rhythm section. Indeed, when FORTE was asked to describe his music, his replay was "If I had to dedicate my life to create one, and only one painting, it would be a black and glossy painting, describing a detailed scene of the apocalypse, with beauty, passion and above all a strong dramatic dimension. The particularity of this painting is that it would have a size increasing constantly, each time getting deeper and wider". Although the first two albums are distinctly more progressive than the latter two, fans of SYMPHONY X, TIME REQUIEM, DGM, ANDROMEDA & PATHOSRAY should find much to enjoy in their work.

Studio Albums: "Sanctus Ignis" (2001), "Underworld" (2003), "Dominate" (2005), "Archangels in Black" (2009).

Present Members:

Stephan FORTE: Guitars
Franck HERMANNY: Bass
Eric LEBAILLY: Drums & percussion
Kevin CODFERT: Keyboards
Kelly Sundown CARPENTER: Vocals




ADAGIO [2009] [CD] Archangels In Black [EAC-APE]     >>>zelf splitten <<<<<

Adagio - 2005 - Dominate Lossless  >>>>.zelf splitten <<<<<<<

adagio - sanctus ignis    >>>>>.mp3 <<<<<<<