Elvenking
Elvenking is an Italian power metal and folk metal band from Sacile. The band has released one demo and twelve full-length studio albums.
Elvenking was formed in late October 1997 by two guitarist friends, Aydan and Jarpen, who shared an interest in heavy metal music and folklore. They were soon joined by Sargon on bass. In March 1998, Damnagoras joined as lead vocalist, followed by drummer Zender in September of the same year. The group aimed to combine power metal with folk music influences. After gaining live experience, Elvenking recorded a promotional demo titled "To Oak Woods Bestowed" in 2000. Damnagoras performed both vocals and bass on the recording and in subsequent concerts after Sargon had left the band. The demo attracted label interest, leading to a contract with German record label AFM Records. Shortly afterwards, Gorlan, previously a session musician and a friend of Aydan and Jarpen, became the permanent bassist.
The band recorded its debut studio album "Heathenreel" at New Sin Audio Design with Luigi Stefanini and had it mixed at Fredman Studios by Fredrik Nordström. The cover artwork was created by Travis Smith, while the logo was designed by J. P. Fournier, who has also worked with Avantasia and Immortal. The album was released in July 2001. Elvenking subsequently toured across Europe and appeared at festivals alongside acts such as Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray, Edguy, and Virgin Steele.
In August 2002, Damnagoras temporarily left the band due to health issues. Elvenking recruited a new vocalist, Kleid, and later added Elyghen as violinist and keyboard player. This line-up recorded the second album "Wyrd" at Gernhart Studios with Martin Buchwalter and completed mixing and mastering at House of Music Studios with Achim Köhler. The album was released in April 2004.
Damnagoras returned to the band in late 2004, replacing Kleid. Work then began on the third album "The Winter Wake". On 4 February 2005, founding guitarist Jarpen left the group, stating a loss of interest in performing the band’s material. "The Winter Wake" was released in 2006 and was premiered live in Pordenone, Italy.
In 2007, Elvenking released its fourth album "The Scythe". In 2010, Dennis Ward and Mat Sinner took production roles for the band’s next release. Recording began in March, resulting in the album "Red Silent Tides", which was released later that year. Following its release, Elvenking toured extensively in Europe, including support shows for Primal Fear.
The album "Era" was released in 2012 as the band’s seventh studio album. In 2014, "Pagan Manifesto" was released, maintaining the established line-up. The album marked a stylistic return to the band’s earlier folk and power metal sound. Its single "Elvenlegions" was released ahead of the album, and the track "King of the Elves" incorporated material referencing the earlier song "White Willow" from "Heathenreel". In 2017, the band released "Secrets of the Magick Grimoire", following the lyric video release of "Draugen's Maelstrom". During this period, drummer Symohn was replaced by Lancs.
From 2019 onwards, Elvenking began releasing a conceptual trilogy titled Reader of the Runes. The first part, "Reader of the Runes – Divination", was released in 2019. It was followed by "Reader of the Runes – Rapture" in 2023 and "Reader of the Runes – Luna" in 2025.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvenking_(band)
Studio albums
Heathenreel (2001)
Wyrd (2004)
The Winter Wake (2006)
The Scythe (2007)
Two Tragedy Poets (...And a Caravan of Weird Figures) (2008)
Red Silent Tides (2010)
Era (2012)
The Pagan Manifesto (2014)
Secrets of the Magick Grimoire (2017)
Reader of the Runes - Divination (2019)
Reader of the Runes - Rapture (2023)
Reader of the Runes - Luna (2025)
Elvenking was formed in late October 1997 by two guitarist friends, Aydan and Jarpen, who shared an interest in heavy metal music and folklore. They were soon joined by Sargon on bass. In March 1998, Damnagoras joined as lead vocalist, followed by drummer Zender in September of the same year. The group aimed to combine power metal with folk music influences. After gaining live experience, Elvenking recorded a promotional demo titled "To Oak Woods Bestowed" in 2000. Damnagoras performed both vocals and bass on the recording and in subsequent concerts after Sargon had left the band. The demo attracted label interest, leading to a contract with German record label AFM Records. Shortly afterwards, Gorlan, previously a session musician and a friend of Aydan and Jarpen, became the permanent bassist.
The band recorded its debut studio album "Heathenreel" at New Sin Audio Design with Luigi Stefanini and had it mixed at Fredman Studios by Fredrik Nordström. The cover artwork was created by Travis Smith, while the logo was designed by J. P. Fournier, who has also worked with Avantasia and Immortal. The album was released in July 2001. Elvenking subsequently toured across Europe and appeared at festivals alongside acts such as Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray, Edguy, and Virgin Steele.
In August 2002, Damnagoras temporarily left the band due to health issues. Elvenking recruited a new vocalist, Kleid, and later added Elyghen as violinist and keyboard player. This line-up recorded the second album "Wyrd" at Gernhart Studios with Martin Buchwalter and completed mixing and mastering at House of Music Studios with Achim Köhler. The album was released in April 2004.
Damnagoras returned to the band in late 2004, replacing Kleid. Work then began on the third album "The Winter Wake". On 4 February 2005, founding guitarist Jarpen left the group, stating a loss of interest in performing the band’s material. "The Winter Wake" was released in 2006 and was premiered live in Pordenone, Italy.
In 2007, Elvenking released its fourth album "The Scythe". In 2010, Dennis Ward and Mat Sinner took production roles for the band’s next release. Recording began in March, resulting in the album "Red Silent Tides", which was released later that year. Following its release, Elvenking toured extensively in Europe, including support shows for Primal Fear.
The album "Era" was released in 2012 as the band’s seventh studio album. In 2014, "Pagan Manifesto" was released, maintaining the established line-up. The album marked a stylistic return to the band’s earlier folk and power metal sound. Its single "Elvenlegions" was released ahead of the album, and the track "King of the Elves" incorporated material referencing the earlier song "White Willow" from "Heathenreel". In 2017, the band released "Secrets of the Magick Grimoire", following the lyric video release of "Draugen's Maelstrom". During this period, drummer Symohn was replaced by Lancs.
From 2019 onwards, Elvenking began releasing a conceptual trilogy titled Reader of the Runes. The first part, "Reader of the Runes – Divination", was released in 2019. It was followed by "Reader of the Runes – Rapture" in 2023 and "Reader of the Runes – Luna" in 2025.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvenking_(band)
Studio albums
Heathenreel (2001)
Wyrd (2004)
The Winter Wake (2006)
The Scythe (2007)
Two Tragedy Poets (...And a Caravan of Weird Figures) (2008)
Red Silent Tides (2010)
Era (2012)
The Pagan Manifesto (2014)
Secrets of the Magick Grimoire (2017)
Reader of the Runes - Divination (2019)
Reader of the Runes - Rapture (2023)
Reader of the Runes - Luna (2025)
