The Danish melodic progressive/heavy metal act Anubis Gate released their first album Purification in early 2004 but their history can be traced back to 1984, when Jesper M. Jensen and Henrik Fevre formed V-AXE with Jesper in bass and Henrik in guitar and vocals. Henrik's former bandmate from the duo Black Mercyful Per M. Jensen joined them in the drums,[1] and the group changed their name to Graff Spee. Gaining some reputation in the local circles Graff Spee released a few demos, but eventually split up in 1986 'due to creative differences'.[2]
Jensens then went on to form a number of different metal acts: first, heavy metal band Extreme Feedback in 1987, hooking up with Morten Sørensen in vocals and Kim Olesen in guitar for the first time. In 1989 Per and Jesper continued to thrash metal band Invocator, releasing a couple of demos and also a full length album Excursion Demise in 1991. In the early 90's Jesper joined Morten in the line-up for rap-metal act Geronimo, who released a mini CD in 1995 before the group was disbanded. These two musicians kept in contact, though, and began to write new material together in a melodic prog metal style.[3]
After releasing a demo, more band members were recruited for recording a full album. Torben Askholm (previously in Prophets Of Doom and Northern Empire) stepped in for the lead vocals. Purification was produced during 2003 and released in 2004. The album aroused a great deal of interest and delight with the press and the audience, and both Kim Olesen and Henrik Fevre who had guested on their debut were made permanent members to solidify the line-up for the next album. A Perfect Forever was released on September 19th 2005. [4] Later on that same year Torben quit the band and Jacob Hansen was chosen to replace him as the vocalist. Andromeda Unchained, their 3rd album, came out in 2007. [5]
Musically, several groups like Queensryche, Iron Maiden, Lord Bane, Tad Morose, Iced Earth, Crimson Glory, Fates Warning, King Crimson, Genesis and Savatage were credited as influential sources of inspiration for Anubis Gate by their record label Locomotive.[6]
Trivia
editBefore becoming the frontman, Jacob Hansen was the band's producer on the first two albums.[7]
References
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