At Vance is a neoclassical/

power metal Power metal is a subgenre of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional heavy metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. Generally, power metal is characterized by a faster, lighter, and more uplifting sound, in contra ...

band formed in Germany. They were formed by vocalist

Oliver Hartmann Oliver Hartmann (born 28 June 1970 in Rüsselsheim, West Germany) is a German metal vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and producer who performed in various acts, either as guitarist, solo or choir singer. He is best known for his role as vocalis ...

(ex-Centers) and guitarist Olaf Lenk (ex-Velvet Viper) in 1998.

Biography

With the combined credentials of vocalist

and guitarist Olaf Lenk, At Vance easily obtained a deal with Shark Records. Rainald König (guitar), Uli Müller (keyboards), Jochen Schnur (bass), and Spoony (drums) rounded out the lineup that recorded 1999's debut ''No Escape''. The album proved successful across Europe, and the group's second release, 2000's ''Heart of Steel'' (featuring new drummer Jurgen Lucas) was a surprise hit in Japan and encouraged At Vance to quickly issue a follow-up in 2001's ''Dragonchaser''. The next year saw the band switching to

AFM Records AFM Records GmbH is a music label based in Schwalmstadt, Germany. They focus on the heavy metal musical genre, signing bands such as U.D.O., Doro, Lordi, Kotipelto, Masterplan, Nostradameus, and Annihilator. In 2005, Candlelight Records ...

, losing their bassist and keyboard player, releasing their fourth album ''Only Human'', and then hitting the road across Europe with Rhapsody and

Angel Dust Angel dust may refer to: Common uses * A common name for the drug phencyclidine (PCP) * Angel dusting, a misleading marketing practice Comics and videos * Angel Dust (comics), a fictional mutant * ''Angel Dust'', a manga by Kouta Hirano * '' ...

. A number of personnel changes ensued in 2003, as At Vance welcomed new vocalist

Mats Levén Mats Leven is a Swedish singer. Some of his most notable collaborations have been with guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, symphonic metallers Therion and doom metallers Candlemass. In 2011, due to family issues on the part of Firewind's lead singer ...

and bassist Sascha Feldmann before recording their next LP ''The Evil in You''. A tour with

Kamelot Kamelot is an American power metal band from Tampa, Florida, formed by Thomas Youngblood, in 1987. The Norwegian vocalist Roy Khan joined for the album '' Siége Perilous'', and shared songwriting credit with Youngblood until his departure in ...

followed the release. Later, Lenk fired König and Feldmann, replacing the latter with bassist John ABC Smith (born Dario Trobok) (ex- Scanner, ex-Gallows Pole). All guitar work was performed by Lenk, and drums by Mark Cross (ex-Helloween). This formation released a new record, ''Chained'', which transpired to be the last album with Mats Levén on lead vocals. In April 2007, At Vance's MySpace webpage announced a new record would be released in May 2007 entitled ''VII'', introducing young singer Rick Altzi on vocals. The album was mastered at

Finnvox Finnvox Studios is a recording studio located in Pitäjänmäki, Helsinki, Finland. It was founded by Erkki Ertesuo, Kurt Juuranto and Lejos Inc. in 1965 and is the longest running studio recording facility in Finland. The original multi-track ...

by Mika Jussila. Several of At Vance's albums contain transcriptions of classical pieces such as the first movement of

Ludwig van Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 177026 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. Beethoven remains one of the most admired composers in the history of Western music; his works rank amongst the most performed of the classic ...

's Fifth Symphony and "Spring" and "Summer" from

Antonio Vivaldi Antonio Lucio Vivaldi (4 March 1678 – 28 July 1741) was an Italian composer, virtuoso violinist and impresario of Baroque music. Regarded as one of the greatest Baroque composers, Vivaldi's influence during his lifetime was widespread ...

's "The Four Seasons." Their new lineup was announced on the band's webpage, adding Alex Landenburg (from Annihilator) on drums and Manuel Walther on bass. In May 2009, the band announced via their MySpace page that Manuel Walther left At Vance and would be replaced by Wolfman Black of the German band Justice. In July 2009, AFM Records announced that the band's latest album, entitled ''Ride The Sky'', would be released on 18 September. In April 2012, band released their ninth studio album, ''Facing Your Enemy'' via AFM Records.

Band members

;Current members *Rick Altzi – vocals *Olaf Lenk – guitars, keyboards *Chris Hill – bass *Kevin Kott – drums ;Former members *

– vocals, guitars *

– vocals, guitars *Rainald König – guitars *Uli Müller – keyboards *Jochen Schnur – bass *Sascha Feldmann – bass *Jürgen Lucas – drums *John ABC Smith (born Dario Trobok) – bass * Mark Cross (Spoony) – drums *Manuel Walther – bass *Wolfman Black – bass *Alex Landenburg – drums

Timeline

Discography

;Studio albums *''No Escape'' (1999) *''Heart of Steel'' (2000) *''Dragonchaser'' (2001) *''Only Human'' (2002) *''The Evil in You'' (2003) *''Chained'' (2005) *''VII'' (2007) *''Ride the Sky'' (2009) *''Facing Your Enemy'' (2012) ;Compilations *''Early Works / Centers'' (2001) *''The Best Of'' (2004) *''Decade'' (2010)

References

External links

At Vance official homepage
{{Authority control German power metal musical groups Musical groups established in 1998 1998 establishments in Germany Articles which contain graphical timelines