Already seen as veterans of the European metal-core scene, Caliban have become one of the most important and influential bands of that genre within just a few years. Formed in 1997, in Germany’s Ruhr region, Caliban released their self-titled EP in the summer of 1998 on Lifeforce Records. Countless tours across Europe, including support gigs for bands like Morning Again, Earth Crisis and Cro-Mags, strengthened their reputation and earned them an ever-increasing army of fans. Their full-length debut, A Small Boy And A Grey Heaven (1999), opened the door to fame and became a European metal-core classic. Even then, Caliban knew how to combine Slayer-esque, precise metal guitars with an emotional hardcore delivery, thereby leaving their own distinct mark on that sound. Although initially seen as mix of Slayer, Poison the Well and Hatebreed by the critics, Caliban didn’t jump on the metal-core bandwagon just recently; rather, they led the way representing that genre at home and internationally. The following split EP with their friends from Heaven Shall Burn was to become another metal-core classic. When the band's second album, Vent, came out in April 2001 the band was invited to play at the famous Beast Feast 2001 in Yokohama together with Slayer, Pantera, Machine Head, Biohazard and Morbid Angel. After playing in Japan, Caliban began their onslaught on U.S. soil with A Life Once Lost and The Red Chord in the summer of 2002 and an appearance at the famous Hellfest in New York. With their third album, Shadow Hearts, it was clear Caliban transcended their contemporaries by producing a new style of post-modern, destructive metal-core with an unparalleled sense of heaviness and musicianship. Most recently, Caliban entered “The Room” studios in Gothenburg, Sweden to record their fourth album, The Opposite From Within, which was produced by In Flames front man Anders Friden and mixed and mastered by Andy Sneap (e.g. Machine Head, Killswitch Engage, Arch Enemy). The 12-song outing shows the band taking their style even further with crushing breakdowns, a keen sense of melody and dedication to playing with utter ferocity.
CALIBAN
