Heavenward - Biography
Biography
Heavenward was founded in 1986. The original line up consisted of Oliver Müller (Bass), Achim Schneider (Guitar), Wolfgang Jansen (Vocals) and Thomas Stauch (Drums), who played after his departure over 20 years with Blind Guardian. He was replaced by Thomas Kelleners, founder and current drummer of the German progressive melodic rock band Blacklands.
In 1988 Heavenward published their first demo called "Into the Light", which provided already a little sensation in some German magazines. In the same year the band separated from Wolfgang Jansen and found in Stefan Kessel the perfect replacement. In January 1989 Heavenward published "At first nature ...", their second demo, which received great praise and triggered true storms of enthusiasm worldwide. By the media Heavenward compared with bands like Fates Warning, Liege Lord, Jag Panzer, Crimson Glory, Helloween and Blind Guardian.
Mid-1989 Bernd Gröters were added as second guitarist.
The time was right for a first album. But the recordings had lasted almost 2 years! Two studios had done a very lousy production, so the band had to record all songs once again in a third Studio. Finally, in 1991 Heavenward released their first CD "Within These Dreams". Unfortunately the sound quality of that production and the cover artwork was equally disappointing for everyone. The laurels of the demo times had long since withered and the cooperation with Inline Music was filled with disappointments and frustration. The band broked up and the line up changed once again, with Stefan Kessel being the only remaining founder member. The newcomers were Andreas Rippelmeier (Guitar), Guido Gallus (Drums) and Marc Schulz (Bass), who unfortunately passed away much too soon.
The band's second album came out a year later in 1992 and was titled "A future worth talking about?". Both albums sold well on the Asian market.
1993 Heavenward even played at the legendary Wacken festival! Afterwards everyone went his own way. Stefan and Guido played for Centaur, another German band. Together they produced the two albums "Perception" and "God Complex".
In 1995 there was a futile attempt of a Heavenward reunion in the "At first nature ..." line up.
1998 Stefan and Oliver decided to work on some new songs with Andreas Rippelmeier. Five years later, in 2003, with the interim return of Guido on drums and the addition of Marco Grasshoff (Ex-Centaur) on keyboards, Heavenward published five new songs on their website.
2010 Heavenward had recorded a new full-length album, but separated again during the production. Oliver, Marco and Andreas played for Michael Bormann and supported him live on tour.
At the end of 2011, after over 20 years (!), 4 original founding members (!!) played together again live on stage some covers like "Warning Of Danger" (!!!) for a private party. Anyway, this meeting was the cornerstone to call Heavenward back to life again! Currently the band is in the studio to produce new songs!
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In 1988 Heavenward published their first demo called "Into the Light", which provided already a little sensation in some German magazines. In the same year the band separated from Wolfgang Jansen and found in Stefan Kessel the perfect replacement. In January 1989 Heavenward published "At first nature ...", their second demo, which received great praise and triggered true storms of enthusiasm worldwide. By the media Heavenward compared with bands like Fates Warning, Liege Lord, Jag Panzer, Crimson Glory, Helloween and Blind Guardian.
Mid-1989 Bernd Gröters were added as second guitarist.
The time was right for a first album. But the recordings had lasted almost 2 years! Two studios had done a very lousy production, so the band had to record all songs once again in a third Studio. Finally, in 1991 Heavenward released their first CD "Within These Dreams". Unfortunately the sound quality of that production and the cover artwork was equally disappointing for everyone. The laurels of the demo times had long since withered and the cooperation with Inline Music was filled with disappointments and frustration. The band broked up and the line up changed once again, with Stefan Kessel being the only remaining founder member. The newcomers were Andreas Rippelmeier (Guitar), Guido Gallus (Drums) and Marc Schulz (Bass), who unfortunately passed away much too soon.
The band's second album came out a year later in 1992 and was titled "A future worth talking about?". Both albums sold well on the Asian market.
1993 Heavenward even played at the legendary Wacken festival! Afterwards everyone went his own way. Stefan and Guido played for Centaur, another German band. Together they produced the two albums "Perception" and "God Complex".
In 1995 there was a futile attempt of a Heavenward reunion in the "At first nature ..." line up.
1998 Stefan and Oliver decided to work on some new songs with Andreas Rippelmeier. Five years later, in 2003, with the interim return of Guido on drums and the addition of Marco Grasshoff (Ex-Centaur) on keyboards, Heavenward published five new songs on their website.
2010 Heavenward had recorded a new full-length album, but separated again during the production. Oliver, Marco and Andreas played for Michael Bormann and supported him live on tour.
At the end of 2011, after over 20 years (!), 4 original founding members (!!) played together again live on stage some covers like "Warning Of Danger" (!!!) for a private party. Anyway, this meeting was the cornerstone to call Heavenward back to life again! Currently the band is in the studio to produce new songs!
categories