Teramaze
{{Short description|Australian progressive metal band}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Teramaze
| image = Teramaze photoshoot by Karina.png
| caption = Teramaze in 2025
| image_size =
| alias =
| origin = Melbourne, Australia
| genre = Progressive metal, heavy metal
| years_active = {{flatlist|
- 1995–2002
- 2012–present
}}
| label = {{flatlist|
- Wells Music
- Mascot label Group
- Nightmare Records
- Jellyfish
- Salt Records
- Rowe Productions
- Empire Records
}}
| website = https://teramaze.com.au/
| current_members = Dean Wells (guitars/vocals)
Nathan Peachey (vocals)
Andrew Cameron (bass)
Chris Zoupa (guitar)
Nick Ross (drums)
}}
Teramaze is an Australian progressive metal band formed in 1995 in Geelong, Victoria.{{cite news |last1=Ewingpublished |first1=Jerry |title=Cool new proggy sounds you must hear from Teramaze, Sometime In February, Múr and more in Prog's all new Tracks Of The Week! |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/cool-new-proggy-sounds-you-must-hear-from-teramaze-sometime-in-february-mur-and-more-in-progs-all-new-tracks-of-the-week |access-date=15 November 2024 |work=louder |date=15 November 2024 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Roll |first1=Huck N. |title=Teramaze - And the Beauty They Perceive Review |url=https://www.angrymetalguy.com/teramaze-and-the-beauty-they-perceive-review/ |access-date=15 November 2024 |work=Angry Metal Guy |date=8 October 2021}}{{cite news |last1=classia |first1=mus |title=Teramaze - Eli: A Wonderful Fall From Grace review |url=https://metalstorm.net/pub/review.php?review_id=19467 |access-date=15 November 2024 |work=Metal Storm |language=en}}
Initially known as Terrormaze, the band later changed its name to Teramaze to reflect founding member Dean Wells' evolving personal convictions and a shift toward a more complex, progressive musical direction.{{cite web |title=Teramaze - I Wonder |url=https://metal-temple.com/review/teramaze-i-wonder/ |website=Metal Temple Magazine |access-date=16 November 2024}} The band was active until 2002, taking a hiatus before being reignited by Wells in 2009.
History
Teramaze was established in 1995 by guitarist and vocalist Dean Wells.{{cite web |title=Teramaze - discographie, line-up, biographie, interviews, photos |url=https://www.spirit-of-metal.com/fr/band/Teramaze |website=www.spirit-of-metal.com |access-date=15 November 2024}} That year, they released their debut album Doxology.{{cite web|url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/australia/victoria/melbourne/teramaze|title=Biography|publisher=rockdetector.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603170430/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/australia/victoria/melbourne/teramaze|archive-date=2016-06-03|access-date=2018-06-18}} The band’s early work had a strong thrash metal influence, which later evolved into a more progressive metal sound. After disbanding in 2002, Dean rekindled his passion for the project in 2009, leading to the release of Anhedonia in 2012.{{cite book|author=Brian Giffin|title=Encyclopedia of Australian Heavy Metal|edition=3rd revised|publisher=Dark Star|location=Katoomba|date=2015|isbn=978-0-9943206-1-2}} Anhedonia was co-produced by Jeff Waters of the Canadian metal band Annihilator.{{cite web |title=TERAMAZE: New Album Co-Produced By ANNIHILATOR's JEFF WATERS |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/teramaze-new-album-co-produced-by-annihilator-s-jeff-waters |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |access-date=16 November 2024 |language=en |date=20 October 2010}}
Teramaze's 2015 album Her Halo is widely regarded as a standout in the progressive metal genre, marking a significant evolution in the band's sound and artistic direction. MetalReviews awarded the album a 91/100, praising its blend of technical prowess and emotional depth. The review highlights Nathan Peachey's vocal performance, comparing his natural range to that of Tommy Karevik (Kamelot/Seventh Wonder). Tracks like "An Ordinary Dream" and "Broken" are noted for their melodic strength and compelling arrangements.{{Cite web |title=Teramaze - Her Halo |url=https://www.metalreviews.com/reviews/album/9351 |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=www.metalreviews.com}}
Since then the band has released numerous albums including: Are We Soldiers (2019), and I Wonder (2020).
In October 2022, Teramaze released Flight of the Wounded, continuing to explore and expand their progressive metal style. They followed this with Dalla Volta in 2023, a compilation that included reimagined versions of earlier songs and new material.{{cite web | url=https://progreport.com/teramaze-share-reimagined-track-shadows-ii-from-upcoming-release-dalla-volta/ | title=Teramaze share reimagined track "Shadows II" from upcoming release 'Dalla Volta' | work=progreport.com | date=10 April 2023 | accessdate=26 November 2024}}
In April 2024, Teramaze released Eli: A Wonderful Fall from Grace.{{cite news |last1=Mind |first1=The Prog |title=Teramaze – Eli: A Wonderful Fall from Grace |url=https://theprogmind.com/2024/05/20/teramaze-eli-a-wonderful-fall-from-grace/ |access-date=15 November 2024 |work=The PROG Mind |date=20 May 2024 |language=en}} Most recently, in October 2024, they released Teracoustic Sessions Vol 1, which features acoustic versions of some of their previous songs.{{cite web |title=TERAMAZE Release "Sleeping Man" From New Teracoustic Sessions Volume 1 |url=https://bravewords.com/news/teramaze-release-sleeping-man-from-new-teracoustic-sessions-volume-1-album |publisher=bravewords |access-date=16 November 2024}}
In 2024, they released the single "Bullet To A Pharaoh", accompanied by a music video.{{cite web | url=https://www.sonicperspectives.com/news/teramaze-release-new-single-video-bullet-to-a-pharaoh/#google_vignette | title=TERAMAZE Release New Single/Video "Bullet To A Pharaoh" | work=sonicperspectives.com | date=18 November 2024 | accessdate=20 November 2024}}
On April 18, 2025 Teramaze released their 14th album, The Harmony Machine, which has garnered positive attention from critics and fans alike. The album showcases the band's signature blend of progressive metal with elements of pop and R&B, pushing the boundaries of their genre.
Sentinel Daily praises the album for its innovative approach, highlighting tracks like "Like A Cyborg," "Ending of All," and "Sinister" as evidence of the band's forward-thinking artistry. The review notes the unique combination of soulful vocals with heavy riffs, drawing comparisons to a hypothetical heavier version of Toto. Nathan Peachey's vocal performance, along with the contributions of guitarist Chris Zoupa, drummer Nick Ross, and bassist Andrew Cameron, are commended for their excellence.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Scott |date=2025-03-17 |title=Teramaze - The Harmony Machine (Wells Music) |url=https://sentineldaily.com.au/teramaze-the-harmony-machine-wells-music/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Sentinel Daily |language=en-GB}}
Metal Temple awarded the album a 9/10, emphasizing the band's exceptional musicianship and the album's concise collection of songs that blend catchiness with complexity.{{Cite web |title=Teramaze – The Harmony Machine |url=https://metal-temple.com/review/teramaze-the-harmony-machine/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Metal Temple Magazine |language=en-US}}
Band Members
- Dean Wells – guitars, vocals{{cite web |title=Teramaze - discogs |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/287285-Teramaze |publisher=discogs |access-date=15 November 2024}}
- Nathan Peachey – vocals
- Andrew Cameron – bass guitar
- Chris Zoupa – guitars{{cite news |last1=Massie |first1=Andrew |title=INTERVIEW: Chris Zoupa - Teramaze |url=https://www.therockpit.net/2019/interview-teramaze/ |access-date=15 November 2024 |work=The Rockpit |date=21 July 2019}}
- Nick Ross – drums
Discography
- Doxology (1995){{cite web |title=Teramaze - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives |url=https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Teramaze/17114 |website=www.metal-archives.com |access-date=15 November 2024}}
- Tears to Dust (1998)
- Anhedonia (2012)
- Esoteric Symbolism (2014){{cite web |title=TERAMAZE - Metal Music Archives |url=https://www.metalmusicarchives.com/artist/teramaze |website=MetalMusicArchives.com |publisher=Metal Music Archives |access-date=15 November 2024 |language=en}}
- Her Halo (2015)
- Are We Soldiers (2019)
- I Wonder (2020)
- Sorella Minore (2021)
- And the Beauty They Perceive (2021)
- Flight of the Wounded (2022){{cite news |last1=Roll |first1=Huck N. |title=Teramaze – Flight of the Wounded Review |url=https://www.angrymetalguy.com/teramaze-flight-of-the-wounded-review/ |access-date=15 November 2024 |work=Angry Metal Guy |date=10 October 2022}}
- Dalla Volta (2023)
- Eli: A Wonderful Fall from Grace (2024)
- Teracoustic Sessions Vol 1 (2024){{cite news |last1=Ewingpublished |first1=Jerry |title=Awesome new proggy sounds from Alex Henry Foster, Teramaze, Laibach and more in Prog's Tracks Of The Week |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/awesome-new-proggy-sounds-from-alex-henry-foster-teramaze-laibach-and-more-in-progs-tracks-of-the-week |access-date=15 November 2024 |work=louder |date=11 October 2024 |language=en}}
- The Harmony Machine (2025)
Reception
Teramaze has received positive reviews from critics for their technical proficiency and songwriting. Several of their albums have been praised, with some noting the band's ambitious compositions and emotional depth.{{cite web |last1=Campbell |first1=Dave |title=Teramaze - Sorella Minore |url=https://metal-temple.com/review/teramaze-sorella-minore/ |website=Metal Temple Magazine |access-date=15 November 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Clement |first1=Keith |title=Interview With Australia's Progressive Metal Pioneers "Teramaze" |url=https://mhf-mag.com/interviews/interview-with-australias-progressive-metal-pioneers-teramaze/ |access-date=15 November 2024 |work=Metalheads Forever Magazine |date=22 May 2024 |language=en}} Their live performances have also earned them accolades, with notable shows such as their headlining appearance at the ProgPower Europe festival and support for Avatar.
Their live performances have also been well-received.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Jonathan |title=TERAMAZE – Eli: A Wonderful Fall From Grace (Album Review) |url=https://www.sonicperspectives.com/album-reviews/teramaze-eli-a-wonderful-fall-from-grace/ |access-date=15 November 2024 |work=Sonic Perspectives |date=24 May 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://teramaze.com.au/ Official website]
- [https://teramaze.bandcamp.com/ Teramaze on BandCamp]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Teramaze}}
Category:Australian progressive metal musical groups
Category:Victoria (state) musical groups
Category:Musical groups established in 1995
{{Australia-band-stub}}