Metalium
{{Short description|German power metal band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Metalium
| image =
| caption =
| image_size =
| background = group_or_band
| origin = Germany
| genre = Power metal
| years_active = 1998–2011, 2023-present
| label = Massacre Records
| associated_acts =
| website = [http://www.metalium.de/Metalium_Official/Start.html Metalium Website]
| current_members = Henning Basse
Matthias Lange
Bruno Nunes
Fabio Carito
Marcus Dotta
| past_members = Lars Ratz
Chris Caffery
Mike Terrana
Jack Frost
Mark Cross
Michael Ehré
Tolo Grimalt
}}
Metalium is a power metal band from Hamburg, Germany, who released eight albums from 1999 to 2011 before disbanding.{{cite web |url=http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=674 |title=Metalium |publisher=Encyclopaedia Metallum |accessdate=16 November 2014 }} The band was reactivated in 2023 by founding members Henning Basse and Matthias Lange. Their style of music is that of the traditional power metal sound which was pioneered by bands such as Helloween and Blind Guardian.
History
The band was formed by bassist Lars Ratz (ex-Viva, Zed Yago, Velvet Viper),{{cite web |url=http://www.metal-archives.com/artists/Lars_Ratz/44360 |title=Lars Ratz |publisher=Encyclopaedia Metallum |accessdate=16 November 2014 }} vocalist Henning Basse (ex- Burgeon Street, Brainstorm){{cite web |url=http://www.metal-archives.com/artists/Henning_Basse/2462 |title=Henning Basse |publisher=Encyclopaedia Metallum |accessdate=16 November 2014 }} and newcomer guitarist Matthias Lange. The German musicians got acquainted with drummer Mike Terrana and Savatage guitarist Chris Caffery through Ratz's own management company during a European tour of the two Americans.{{cite web |url=http://www.metal-rules.com/interviews/Metalium.htm |title=Metal Rules!! Interview With Lars Ratz of Metalium |last=EvilG |publisher=Metal Rules |date=December 1999 |accessdate=11 November 2014 }} The five musicians worked together on a single concept album project with a science fiction/fantasy storyline and speed metal style, to be released before the new millennium. The story is about Michael, a metal fan, who drinks a magic potion and becomes the invincible warrior Metalian.{{cite web |url=http://metalkings.com/reviews/metalium/metalium.htm |title=Metalium Interview |publisher=Metalkings. com |date=2002 |accessdate=16 November 2014 }} The debut Metalium album Millennium Metal – Chapter One was released in 1999 and was a success in Germany, peaking at No. 75 in the German chart{{cite web | url = http://www.charts.de/album.asp?artist=Metalium&title=Millennium+Metal+-+Chapter+One&cat=a&country=de | title = Album - Metalium, Millennium Metal - Chapter One | accessdate = 29 September 2012 | work = Charts.de | publisher = Media Control Charts }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and receiving positive reviews.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.metal-hammer.de/suche/?searchString=millennium+metal&from=01.01.1900&to=01.01.2100&pub=mth&src=all&src=wbs&src=pct&sortBy=publishdate&filter= |title=Metalium - Millenium Metal Chapter One |language=German |magazine=Metal Hammer |date=July 1999 |accessdate=16 November 2014 }}{{cite web |url=http://vampster.com/artikel/show/206_CD-Review_.html |title=METALIUM: Millenium Metal - Chapter One |language=German |publisher=Vampster.com |date=2 May 1999 |accessdate=16 November 2014 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.metalcrypt.com/pages/review.php?revid=4509 |title=Metalium - Millenium Metal Chapter One |last=Foley |first=Christopher |publisher=The Metal Crypt. com |date=29 January 2009 |accessdate=16 November 2014 }} The success of the first album ensured the continuation of the band's career, as well as new adventures for the Metalian, the main character of Metalium's ongoing saga. Jack Frost and Mark Cross replaced Caffery and Terrana respectively for the second album State of Triumph – Chapter Two, released in 2000. Both Frost and Cross had left the band by the end of 2001, leaving Lange as the only guitarist for studio recordings and introducing Michael Ehré on drums in time for Metalium's third album of 2002. Still in 2001, the band released a DVD/Video titled Metalian Attack which included a 7-track live-CD and a full Metalium concept comic book by artist Markus Mayer.{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/archive-news-sep-11-2001/ |title=Archive News Sep 11, 2001 |work=Blabbermouth.net |publisher=Roadrunner Records |date=11 September 2001 |accessdate=11 November 2014 }} In the following years the band went on tour in Europe, Russia and South America, granting its presence at many important festivals.{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/metalium-confirmed-for-germany-s-wacken-open-air-festival/ |title=METALIUM Confirmed For Germany's WACKEN OPEN AIR Festival |work=Blabbermouth.net |publisher=Roadrunner Records |date=3 June 2003 |accessdate=16 November 2014 }} Metalium released another six albums until 2009 and a second live DVD called Metalian Attack pt. 2 in 2006.{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/metalium-chapter-four-release-date-pushed-back/ |title=METALIUM: 'Chapter Four' Release Date Pushed Back |work=Blabbermouth.net |publisher=Roadrunner Records |date=1 February 2004 |accessdate=16 November 2014 }}{{cite web |url= http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/metalium-more-metalian-attack-part-2-dvd-details-revealed/ |title= METALIUM: More 'Metalian Attack – Part 2' DVD Details Revealed |work=Blabbermouth.net |publisher=Roadrunner Records |date=25 April 2006 |accessdate=16 November 2014 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/metalium-nothing-to-undo-chapter-vi-track-listing-revealed-audio-samples-available/ |title=METALIUM: 'Nothing To Undo – Chapter VI' Track Listing Revealed, Audio Samples Available |work=Blabbermouth.net |publisher=Roadrunner Records |date=13 November 2006 |accessdate=16 November 2014 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/metalium-new-album-details-revealed// |title=METALIUM: New Album Details Revealed |work=Blabbermouth.net |publisher=Roadrunner Records |date=10 January 2008 |accessdate=16 November 2014 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/metalium-audio-samples-of-entire-new-album-available// |title=METALIUM: Audio Samples Of Entire New Album Available |work=Blabbermouth.net |publisher=Roadrunner Records |date=25 September 2009 |accessdate=16 November 2014 }}
On 13 September 2010, the band announced on its website that it would dissolve in 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.metalium.de/news.html |title=Metalium News |publisher=Metalium Official Website |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120043244/http://www.metalium.de/news.html |archivedate=20 January 2011 |accessdate=16 November 2014}}
On 18 April 2021, Lars Ratz died in a plane crash in Vilafranca de Bonany, Spain.{{cite web|last1=Warner|first1=Amelia|title=Musician Lars Ratz Dies In A Plane Crash In Mallorca|url=}} He was 53 years old.
On August 31 2021, the surviving members of the band released a single in memory of founder Lars Ratz which also featured Grave Digger bassist Jens Becker and Deep Purple's Don Airey on keyboards.{{cite web |title=METALIUM - Surviving Members Pay Tribute To Late Bassist / Founder LARS RATZ With "Never Surrender" Single| url=https://bravewords.com/news/metalium-surviving-members-pay-tribute-to-late-bassist-founder-lars-ratz-with-never-surrender-single-don-airey-jens-becker-guest-lyric-video}} After speculation the band would be fully reactivated, Henning Basse announced that he, Matthias Lange, and new guitarist Bruno Nunes would return as Metalium in 2023. Shortly after that, the band announced that bassist Fabio Carito and drummer Marcus Dotta completed the line-up.
Members
=Current line-up=
- Henning Basse - vocals
- Matthias Lange - guitar
- Bruno Nunes - guitar
- Fabio Carito - bass
- Marcus Dotta - drums
=Former members=
- Chris Caffery - guitars
- Mike Terrana - drums
- Jack Frost - guitars
- Mark Cross – drums
- Lars Ratz - bass, keyboards (died 2021)
- Michael Ehré - drums, keyboards
- Tolo Grimalt - guitar
- John Osborn – drums (live 2000 tour)
- Saeko Kitamae – vocals (live 2004 tour, guest As One - Chapter Four)
- Christian Stöver – guitars (live 2009–2010)
Timeline
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:16
PlotArea = left:120 bottom:60 top:0 right:10
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1998 till:06/23/2011
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:1
ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1998
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1999
Colors=
id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals
id:guitar value:green legend:Guitar
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:lines value:black legend:Studio_album
LineData=
at:06/25/1999 color:black layer:back
at:06/26/2000 color:black layer:back
at:02/25/2002 color:black layer:back
at:03/29/2004 color:black layer:back
at:04/25/2005 color:black layer:back
at:02/20/2007 color:black layer:back
at:02/22/2008 color:black layer:back
at:09/25/2009 color:black layer:back
BarData=
bar:Basse text:"Henning Basse"
bar:Mathias text:"Mathias Lange"
bar:Chris text:"Chris Caffery"
bar:Jack text:"Jack Frost"
bar:Tolo text:"Tolo Grimalt"
bar:Lars text:"Lars Ratz"
bar:Mike text:"Mike Terrana"
bar:Mark text:"Mark Cross"
bar:Ehré text:"Michael Ehré"
PlotData=
width:10
bar:Basse from:01/01/1998 till:end color:vocals
bar:Mathias from:01/01/1998 till:end color:guitar
bar:Chris from:01/01/1998 till:12/31/1999 color:guitar
bar:Jack from:01/01/2000 till:12/31/2000 color:guitar
bar:Tolo from:01/01/2008 till:end color:guitar
bar:Lars from:01/01/1998 till:end color:bass
bar:Mike from:01/01/1998 till:12/31/1999 color:drums
bar:Mark from:01/01/2000 till:12/31/2000 color:drums
bar:Ehré from:01/01/2002 till:06/23/2011 color:drums
}}
Discography
- Millennium Metal – Chapter One (1999)
- State of Triumph – Chapter Two (2000)
- Hero Nation – Chapter Three (2002)
- As One – Chapter Four (2004)
- Demons of Insanity – Chapter Five (2005)
- Nothing to Undo – Chapter Six (2007)
- Incubus – Chapter Seven (2008)
- Grounded – Chapter Eight (2009)
Videography
- Metalian Attack (2001)
- Metalian Attack pt. 2 (2006)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.metalium.de/ Metalium Official Site]
- [http://www.michaelehre.de/ Drummer Michael Ehre Official Site]
- {{discogs artist|Metalium}}
{{Metalium}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:1998 establishments in Germany
Category:2011 disestablishments in Germany
Category:German musical quintets
Category:German power metal musical groups
Category:Musical groups established in 1998