Mind Key started in early 1999 thanks to Dario De Cicco (keyboards) and Emanuele Colella (guitars), who decided to create a band with the precise task to melt the sound of Prog Metal bands such as Dream Theater, Symphony X, Evergrey and Pain Of Salvation with a newer, mature and more song oriented approach inspired by 80/90's Hard Rock style. After the drummer Andrea Stipa joined the band, the guys immediately started writing together a lot of new songs for the first demo entitled Welcome To Another Reality that was recorded in 2001. The demo brought them to the attention of Frontiers Records, who released the band's debut Journey Of A Rough Diamond in July 2004.

The line up also included Mark Basile on vocals and Raffaele Castaldo on bass. Just before releasing the album, Mark Basile left the group and in preparation of the subsequent tour dates, the guys met for the first time Aurelio Fierro Jr., a singer with a vast experience, who was able to give some splendid performances especially in the gigs that Mind Key landed as support of Dream Theater for the Italian Train Of Thought Tour 2004. Mike Portnoy in particular said: "These guys sound really excellent!"

Mind Key played more live dates in support of Vision Divine, Pendragon with more dates in Poland, Switzerland, Holland, Germany and France. During the Polish dates, a Live DVD was recorded called Habemus Poland, with the singer Giorgio Adamo as frontman. However he soon left to make space for the return of Aurelio Fierro, who was a more suitable choice for Dario & Emanuele a on the basis of the strength of the new material written for the follow up album.

Mind Key then began the recording of the second album Pulse for a Graveheart, simplifying their songwriting and giving the chance to Fierro to showcase his immense vocal potential which can be described as a powerful mix of Ronnie James Dio, David Coverdale and Jorn Lande. The album was later mixed and mastered by none other than Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Angra, Krokus, Place Vendome etc.) to ensure the best sounding quality. Pulse for a Graveheart finally sees the light in July 2009, with some amazing guest musicians appearing such as Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Alice Cooper, Black Country Communion, Planet X), Reb Beach (Whitesnake, Winger) and Tom Englund from Evergrey.

Just before the release of the new stunning album, Mind Key took the decision to hound out their historical bassist and drummer, Raffaele Castaldo and Andrea Stipa. It was a hard decision, but the best choice to continue the band's musical path. So the guys immediately show their "ace in the hole" and in 2011 introduce the new great bass player and awesome musician Lucio Grilli (ex Soul Secret) and the great drummer Mirko De Maio (The Flower Kings, Hangarvain). With this - and current - line up, Mind Key played more live dates and joined their forces with awesome metal superstars like Edguy, Europe, HammerFall, Vanden Plas & Gamma Ray.

In 2013 Dario, Emanuele and Lucio completed the songwriting session for the new album. After a period of Dario's serious illness, finally Mind Key recorded their third album that should be considered the most mature of their career. The songwriting is more hook and melodic oriented than ever. Great melodies met whirling instrumental interweaving and MK III is born! Mind Key entrusted mixing and mastering in the precious hands of Riccardo Piscopo, a young and talented Neapolitan producer which pushed the Mind Key sound to higher places!

Source: www.mindkey.it/band.html