Pyramaze is a Danish

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 formed in 2001.

History

Pyramaze was formed in 2001 by guitarist Michael Kammeyer. Next to join were fellow Danes drummer Morten Gade Sørensen (

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, Anubis Gate) and bassist Niels Kvist. American keyboardist Jonah Weingarten, who originally met Kammeyer over the Internet, joined next. The band then set out in search for a singer. After listening to many demos, the band selected American singer Lance King (formerly of Balance of Power) to be their lead vocalist. The band's first live show took place on 23 April 2004 in

Minneapolis Minneapolis is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, and its county seat. With a population of 429,954 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the state's List of cities in Minnesota, most populous city. Locat ...

Minnesota Minnesota ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Upper Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario to the north and east and by the U.S. states of Wisconsin to the east, Iowa to the so ...

. They released their debut studio album, ''

Melancholy Beast ''Melancholy Beast'' is the debut studio album by the Danish power metal band Pyramaze, released by Nightmare Records and Massacre Records in May 2004. Track listing All songs written and composed by Michael Kammeyer, except "The Nature of Tr ...

'', in May 2004 and followed with a tour over the summer of 2004. During this time, Danish guitarist Toke Skjønnemand joined the group. In February 2006, the band released their second album, '' Legend of the Bone Carver'', a

concept album A concept album is an album whose tracks hold a larger purpose or meaning collectively than they do individually. This is typically achieved through a single central narrative or theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, or lyrical. Som ...

that was received very well by fans. On 15 September 2006, the band performed at the ProgPower USA VII festival in

Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Georgia (U.S. state), most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is the county seat, seat of Fulton County, Georg ...

. Shortly after that performance, on 10 November 2006, the band announced on its official website that Lance King was no longer Pyramaze's singer.Official website
accessed 15 July 2008 On 14 April 2007, former

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 ...

vocalist Matt Barlow returned to the metal scene as Pyramaze's new singer. On 11 December 2007, Jon Schaffer announced on his website that Barlow had rejoined Iced Earth. Barlow finished recording '' Immortal'' with Pyramaze before leaving to work solely with Iced Earth.Official website
accessed 5 January 2008 On 13 March 2008, Pyramaze released demos of two songs from ''Immortal'', "Year of the Phoenix" and "Caramon's Poem". The album was officially released 30 May 2008. On 11 July 2008, Pyramaze announced that former Tad Morose and Bloodbound singer Urban breed would be taking over the role of lead vocalist. His first activity with the band was performing on their Danish tour in November 2008 in support of Volbeat. On 10 February 2011, it was announced that band founder, songwriter and guitarist Michael Kammeyer and bass guitarist Niels Kvist would be departing the band, citing family responsibilities. Shortly after, keyboardist Jonah Weingarten issued a letter stating that, despite losing their founder, leader, songwriter, guitarist and bass guitarist all in one day, Pyramaze would carry on. This was backed up by a statement Pyramaze released that the band's producer, Jacob Hansen, formerly of Invocator, Anubis Gate and Beyond Twilight, would be joining as guitarist, as well as continuing to mix the band's albums. The band went on a short hiatus soon afterwards while still looking for a new lead vocalist. Then in 2015, the band finally recorded its next album '' Disciples of the Sun'' with their new vocalist, Terje Harøy. The album was released on 22 May 2015 in the United Kingdom on 25 May 2015 and in North America on 26 May 2015 on Inner Wound Recordings. On 8 September 2016, Pyramaze played a special show at ProgPower USA XVII, with the current lineup of the band being bolstered by guest performances of Matt Barlow and Lance King. Their follow-up to ''Disciples of the Sun'', titled ''Contingent'', was released on 28 April 2017 through Inner Wound Recordings.

Band members

Current members

* Morten Gade Sørensen − drums (2001–present) * Jonah Weingarten − keyboards (2002–present) * Jacob Hansen − guitars, bass (2011–present) * Terje Harøy – vocals (2013-present)

Former members

* Lance King − vocals (2001–2006) * Matt Barlow – vocals (2007–2008) * Urban Breed – vocals (2008–2011) * Michael Kammeyer − guitar (2001–2011) * Niels Kvist − bass (2001–2011) * Toke Skjønnemand − lead guitar (2004–2022)

Timeline

Discography

* ''

'' (2004) * '' Legend of the Bone Carver'' (2006) * '' Immortal'' (2008) * '' Disciples of the Sun'' (2015) * ''Contingent'' (2017) * ''Epitaph'' (2020) * ''Bloodlines'' (2023)

References

External links

Lance King homepage

Pyramaze homepage

Nightmare Records Inc.

{{Authority control Danish power metal musical groups Danish progressive metal musical groups Musical groups established in 2001