Mystic Prophecy is a German
power metal
Power metal is a subgenre of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional heavy metal with speed metal, often within a symphonic context. Generally, power metal is characterized by a faster, lighter, and more uplifting sound, in co ...
band from
Bad Grönenbach. Their sound has been described as heavy and melodic, similar to American power metal bands such as
Iced Earth
Iced Earth is an American Heavy metal music, heavy metal band currently composed of only Jon Schaffer, formed in Tampa, Florida, and based in Columbus, Indiana. They were formed in 1984 under the name the Rose, then Purgatory, by guitarist, ma ...
, due to their melodic
riff
A riff is a short, repeated motif or figure in the melody or accompaniment of a musical composition. Riffs are most often found in rock music, punk, heavy metal music, Latin, funk, and jazz, although classical music is also sometimes based ...
ing and powerful drumming.
History
The band was formed in 2000 by Valley's Eve bandmates R.D. Liapakis and Martin Albrecht. Greek guitarist
Gus G was recommended to them by
David T. Chastain and played all guitars on their first three albums. However, he left in 2005 to focus on his own band,
Firewind.
Since then, the band has undergone several lineup changes, with singer R.D. Liapakis and guitarist Markus Pohl, who joined in 2005, being the only long-term members.
The current lineup includes bassist Joey Roxx and drummer Hanno Kerstan. In August 2017, the band announced the addition of new guitarist
Evan K.
Since 2001, Mystic Prophecy has released 12 albums. Their ninth album, ''
War Brigade'', released in 2016 with
Massacre Records, became their best-selling album up to that point. It includes some of their most well-known songs, such as "Metal Brigade", "The Crucifix", "Burning Out", and "War Panzer".
In January 2018, the band released ''
Monuments Uncovered'', an album featuring metal covers of famous rock hits from the '70s and '80s, including "
You Keep Me Hangin' On" (
Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde (born Kim Smith, 18 November 1960) is an English pop singer. She first gained success in 1981 with her debut single "Kids in America", which peaked at no. 2 in the UK. In 1983, she received the Brit Award for Best British Female solo ...
/
The Supremes
The Supremes were an American girl group formed in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959 as the Primettes. A premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s, the Supremes were the most commercially successful of Motown's acts and the most successful Amer ...
), "
Shadow on the Wall" (
Mike Oldfield
Michael Gordon Oldfield (born 15 May 1953) is an English retired musician, songwriter and producer best known for his debut studio album ''Tubular Bells'' (1973), which became an unexpected critical and commercial success. Though primarily a gu ...
), "
I'm Still Standing" (
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is a British singer, songwriter and pianist. His music and showmanship have had a significant, lasting impact on the music industry, and his songwriting partnership with l ...
), and "
Because the Night" (
Patti Smith
Patricia Lee Smith (born December 30, 1946) is an American singer, songwriter, poet, painter, author, and photographer. Her 1975 debut album '' Horses'' made her an influential member of the New York City-based punk rock movement. Smith has fu ...
), among others.
In January 2020, Mystic Prophecy released their 11th album, ''Metal Division''. Within days of its release, the album reached #20 on the German charts and became a hit in the metal genre on the iTunes charts in countries such as Germany (#7), the US (#23), and Canada (#11). It also became an Amazon bestseller. The album's release was accompanied by the singles and music video
"Metal Division""Eye to Eye"
an
"Dracula"
followed by a tour.
Members
Current members
* Roberto Dimitri Liapakis – vocals (2000–present)
* Markus Pohl – rhythm guitar (2005–present)
* Evan K – lead guitar (2017–present)
* Hanno Kerstan – drums (2016–present)
* Joey Roxx – bass (2016–present)
Former members
* Martin Albrecht – bass (2000–2008)
* Gus G – lead and rhythm guitar (2000–2005)
* Dennis Ekdahl – drums (2000–2004)
* Martin Grimm – lead guitar (2005–2008)
* Mathias Straub – drums (2005–2008)
* Stefan Dittrich – drums (2008–2009)
* Constantine Kotzamanis – lead guitar (2008–2013)
* Laki Ragazas – lead guitar (2013–2017)
* Claudio Sisto – drums (2010–2011)
* Connie Andreszka – bass (2008–2016)
* Tyrone Silva – drums (2011–2012)
* Tristan Maiwurm – drums (2012–2016)
Touring personnel
* Klaus Sperling – drums (2004–2005)
* Matt C. – drums (2009)
Timeline
Discography
* '' Vengeance'' (2001)
* '' Regressus'' (2003)
* ''Never-Ending
''Never-Ending'' is the third studio album by German power metal group Mystic Prophecy, released in October 2004. This is the last album of a trilogy
A trilogy is a set of three distinct works that are connected and can be seen either as ...
'' (2004)
* ''Savage Souls'' (2006)
* '' Satanic Curses'' (2007)
* '' Fireangel'' (2009)
* ''Ravenlord'' (2011)
* ''Killhammer'' (2013)
* '' War Brigade'' (2016)
* '' Monuments Uncovered'' (2018)
* ''Metal Division'' (2020)
References
External links
Official website
*
*
{{Authority control
German power metal musical groups
German musical quintets
Nuclear Blast artists