GOTHIC KNIGHTS BAND PAGE
 GOTHIC KNIGHTS
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CURRENT NAME
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Gothic Knights |
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FORMER NAMES
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- |
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ORIGIN
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USA |
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STATUS
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Active |
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FORMED IN
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- |
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LABEL
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Limb Music Products |
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GENRE
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Power metal |
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STYLE
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- |
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LYRICAL THEME
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- |
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BAND ADDED
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2004-05-03, 00:00 |
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LAST UPDATE
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2004-05-03, 00:00 |
In 1990, everything was still fine in the world of Heavy Metal. One year before Nirvana, the young guitar player John Tsantakis established his band GOTHIC KNIGHTS. He was inspired by classical composers like Paganini, Bach and Beethoven as well as by Randy Rhoads and Yngwie Malmsteen, so John tried from the beginning to blend the power and energy of Heavy Metal with the expressiveness and elegance of classical music in the band's compositions. In bass player Mario Cosentino, he found a like-minded ally. Other musicians came and went, until in 1993, the two finally seemed to have found the right guys for a steady line-up: Brian Dispost (drums) and Rick Sanchez (vocals).
The first demo "To Hell And Back" was released in Spring 1994 and aroused immediate interest in Denis Gulbey, owner of Sentinel Steel Records. He was the one who made it possible for the band to record their first album, "Gothic Knights" in winter 1995/96. Shortly before the release in May 1996, Rick Sanchez unfortunately left the band due to personal reasons and was replaced by Bryan Avatar. In Summer 1997, as the band began to make preparations for the second album, drummer Brian Dispost was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The news that their longtime companion and friend had that terrible disease hit the band hard. Forced to quit the band for health reasons in early 1998, Brian, supported by his ex-fellow musicians until today, still battles with this debilitating disease. Kevin Myers, who took over for Brian, played drums on "Kingdom Of The Knights" which finally was released in August 1999. No less than Fantasy superstar Ken Kelly had been engaged for the album's cover artwork. In Summer 2000, the band separated from singer Bryan Avatar and drummer Kevin Meyers. Just one month later, Rick Sanchez returned as singer. Behind the drumkit sat Tony Cianciotto who was replaced in September 2002 by longtime VIRGIN STEELE drummer Frank Gilchriest. GOTHIC KNIGHTS recorded some demos which caused a sensation - especially in Europe. Two of Germany's biggest Metal Magazines, ROCK HARD and HEAVY, ODER WAS?! chose one song respectively for their underground compilation CDs. In the Fall of 2002, the quartet from Brooklyn accepted and offer from Limb Music Products. Shortly after, John Tsantakis & Co. made their way to Trax East Studios (Skid Row, Symphony X, Onward, Manilla Road) to record their third album "Up From The Ashes" with the help of Eric Rachel as producer. They worked hard and concentrated - the result: 11 songs, among others new recordings of the before mentioned compilation tracks Guardian Archangel" and "The Witching Hour". The songs "Vampyre" and "Dear Queen" include keyboard and piano parts (recorded session-like by Vlado Kormos) - the band is still looking for a keys wizard...
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Buy Gothic Knights albums
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