Airged L'amh - Biography
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1996-
Biography
Airged L'amh is a metal band based in Athens. Originally formed as a school band and under the name "Ragnarok", Alexander Vasilopoulos (guitars) and John Georgopoulos (vocals) created a group that would move in epic/folk fields even with the lyrics based on ancient legends of battles from all around the world. The band started writing songs and soon completed the line up with another guitarist (Michalis Peradinos), a bass player (Gus Makrikostas) and a drummer (George Zoubourlis). With only one change in that line up (George Thanasopoulos taking place behind the drum kit) the band was forced to change the name because two other (internationally known) bands were having the same name. The decision was "Airged L'amh" (This is Gaelic, in plain English it means "The Silver Arm").
In early 1996 the band enters the studio to record their first ever demo, after having played several gigs in local clubs, and nearly being a legend of the Greek epic metal scene. The result was stunning. "A Vertigo Edda Arised" as it was finally called consisted of 5 songs lyrically based on Northern Europe's mythology.
The band sold over 400 copies of the demo within the first week of its release and got numerous triumphant reviews on local and global press for this effort. Though the production was not the best, the demo was characterized for the feelings created during its hearing. And that made the band respectful to everyone. Many gigs followed but as it often happens, bad days would soon hit the band.
After 1998 there were several changes in the line-up as the members of the band had to serve their duty in the army. Alexander Vasilopoulos would continue to write songs and when Airged L'amh got back together, only three members were now in the band. A guitarist and a vocalist was missing. George Sofikitis (guitars) and Steve Venardo (Vocals) were the two people to complete the puzzle.
After the completion of the line-up, the band sure now for its members began immediately writing songs for the new album. In the meantime, the band signed a contract with "Metal Reunion Records" and the demo "A Vertigo Edda Arised" was re-released in 2002 containing 2 new songs (promo recordings) with the new line-up of the band.
Finally in autumn 2003, and with John Luna Tsimas replacing Gus Makrikostas in bass, the band enters the studio to record "The Silver Arm" as the album was finally entitled. The album contains 13 songs with over 1 hour of music.
The album is a concept story based on an ancient Celtic legend with the tribe of Tuatha de Dannan and the silver arm of king Nuada. It depicts the band at its best times as the production of the album shows what the band is capable of. The album earned the band a contract with Black Lotus Recs. But this wasn't just enough for the band... Airged L'amh got very good reviews from around the world and supported this release with numerous live performances including support acts to Firewind, Helstar etc... But the big moment had arrived and it was finally time for the band to break into Europe... First appearance outside of the Greek borders was the ledgendary Swordbrothers festival in Germany, and then the next months the short European tour with our friends Battleroar... Best moment of the tour the gig in Ireland where the "home" crowd made it feel so easy...
It was truly a very good experience for the band, and a chance to prove that hard work can only pay you back with good memories and more appetite for success...
When the band returned from the tour, the process of pre-producing the new album had begun... With already 2-3 songs almost finished before the tour, the gang had to finish the remaining tracks... There were several good ideas that just had to be put in an order...
Airged L'amh entered the studio in March 2007 to record the 9 songs that would become "Ode to Salvation"... The only change in the line up was an addition this time and not a loss... Manolis Gavalas joined the band during the recordings, putting his little piece on the album...
After 4 very "heavy" months (as the band took again the responsibility for the production of the record), the result was amazing... "Ode To Salavation" was characterized as the most mature job this band has done so far, melodic, epic, doom, moody and so many feelings that no words can describe...
Currently the band is in search for a new "home" as the contract with Black Lotus Recs was over, a few months after the band signed it...
Hope to find this contract soon , so we can bring "Ode To Salvation" to light
METAL ON!
In early 1996 the band enters the studio to record their first ever demo, after having played several gigs in local clubs, and nearly being a legend of the Greek epic metal scene. The result was stunning. "A Vertigo Edda Arised" as it was finally called consisted of 5 songs lyrically based on Northern Europe's mythology.
The band sold over 400 copies of the demo within the first week of its release and got numerous triumphant reviews on local and global press for this effort. Though the production was not the best, the demo was characterized for the feelings created during its hearing. And that made the band respectful to everyone. Many gigs followed but as it often happens, bad days would soon hit the band.
After 1998 there were several changes in the line-up as the members of the band had to serve their duty in the army. Alexander Vasilopoulos would continue to write songs and when Airged L'amh got back together, only three members were now in the band. A guitarist and a vocalist was missing. George Sofikitis (guitars) and Steve Venardo (Vocals) were the two people to complete the puzzle.
After the completion of the line-up, the band sure now for its members began immediately writing songs for the new album. In the meantime, the band signed a contract with "Metal Reunion Records" and the demo "A Vertigo Edda Arised" was re-released in 2002 containing 2 new songs (promo recordings) with the new line-up of the band.
Finally in autumn 2003, and with John Luna Tsimas replacing Gus Makrikostas in bass, the band enters the studio to record "The Silver Arm" as the album was finally entitled. The album contains 13 songs with over 1 hour of music.
The album is a concept story based on an ancient Celtic legend with the tribe of Tuatha de Dannan and the silver arm of king Nuada. It depicts the band at its best times as the production of the album shows what the band is capable of. The album earned the band a contract with Black Lotus Recs. But this wasn't just enough for the band... Airged L'amh got very good reviews from around the world and supported this release with numerous live performances including support acts to Firewind, Helstar etc... But the big moment had arrived and it was finally time for the band to break into Europe... First appearance outside of the Greek borders was the ledgendary Swordbrothers festival in Germany, and then the next months the short European tour with our friends Battleroar... Best moment of the tour the gig in Ireland where the "home" crowd made it feel so easy...
It was truly a very good experience for the band, and a chance to prove that hard work can only pay you back with good memories and more appetite for success...
When the band returned from the tour, the process of pre-producing the new album had begun... With already 2-3 songs almost finished before the tour, the gang had to finish the remaining tracks... There were several good ideas that just had to be put in an order...
Airged L'amh entered the studio in March 2007 to record the 9 songs that would become "Ode to Salvation"... The only change in the line up was an addition this time and not a loss... Manolis Gavalas joined the band during the recordings, putting his little piece on the album...
After 4 very "heavy" months (as the band took again the responsibility for the production of the record), the result was amazing... "Ode To Salavation" was characterized as the most mature job this band has done so far, melodic, epic, doom, moody and so many feelings that no words can describe...
Currently the band is in search for a new "home" as the contract with Black Lotus Recs was over, a few months after the band signed it...
Hope to find this contract soon , so we can bring "Ode To Salvation" to light
METAL ON!