Band:

Eyefear

BiografieEYEFEAR was born in the summer of '94 by Con Papazoglou, Rob Gorham, Zain Kimmie and Ken Taylor. After a few months searching for vocalists to complete the band, they came across Jason Smart.



After months of rehearsing and playing various local gigs, the band entered TOYLAND STUDIOS and recorded their debut album, EDGE OF EXISTENCE, between Nov '95 and March '96.



The result was fantastic. Mail started pouring in, and the interest around the world was enormous. Mags like Heavy Oder Was, Rock Hard and Metal Invader, and webzines around the world, had given it rave reviews. Unfortunately though, things took a sudden change - and EYEFEAR had vanished.



It all started in April 1997 when the very talented lead vocalist and chief songwriter, Jason Smart, decided to leave the band. The news was devastating and couldn’t have come at a worse time for them; after recording their debut album EDGE OF EXISTENCE, things were looking up for the young progressive metal outfit from Melbourne. With Jason’s soaring vocals and brooding lyrics, EYEFEAR thought they had found the perfect vehicle for their brand of melodic power metal. Earlier, rhythm guitarist Ken Taylor also called it a day for personal reasons. Such are the stories of many a musical collaboration: a constant evolution of entries and exits (or "musical differences"). But whichever way the pendulum was swinging for EYEFEAR, the gap left by the departure of Ken and Jason was significant; the loss was felt, but the possibilities were still there. How would the pendulum swing this time? Evolution…A change was soon coming….



They say genius comes in all shapes and forms, but the remaining members of EYEFEAR, (Con Papazoglou - lead guitar, Zain Kimmie - drums and Rob Gorham - bass) didn’t know what they were in for when Anthony Porchia walked in the door on November 1997. The thoughtful young man, who was a good friend of Con's who came to audition as second guitarist, soon put to rest any doubts the other members might of had about his ability. Speed, technique and a keen understanding for the mechanics of sound and music: the first piece of the puzzle was complete.



By June 1998, things still seemed a little bleak in the EYEFEAR rehearsal studio - yes, the new addition of Anthony had proven to be beyond expectations, but what good is a band without words and a voice to give them life? Lady luck, good fortune, a guardian angel or whatever you believe in, was smiling on them it seemed. It was well known in the tightly knit metal community in Melbourne, that local progressive heroes, Hyperion, had broken up.



Hyperion had built up quite a following both locally and internationally; at one stage EYEFEAR opened for them at some local gigs. The guys had tremendous respect for the professionalism of Hyperion and especially the resonant vocals of Jimmy Georgopoulos . Luckily enough at the time, Con and Jim were involved in a mutual friend’s music project, and things all took off from there. The pendulum swung full circle and, by the end of June, EYEFEAR had the voice of Jimmy adding to the new sound in the studio.



A new guitarist and vocalist - the picture was complete... or was it? Experimentation with sounds and other effects whilst recording EDGE OF EXISTENCE opened up unexplored territory to the band. They discovered that other musical influences and sounds would add great depth to their repertoire. They needed something else to give them a truly "BIG" sound, and to embellish the dramatic and ever changing nature of their music. Attacking guitar, soaring harmonies, rhythmic power and percussion, thoughtful lyrics delivered with a versatile vocal arrangements - all of these things were already there to set the scene for a new musical direction.



Shiran Manan (pron. Mah-nun) was a quiet, unassuming young man; barely out of high school, his musical intuition and pitch perfect ear truly belied his age. Shiran was truly magical at the keyboard, demonstrating his vigour and love for music with an impressive palette of sound. His youthful enthusiasm and ability assured his place and involvement in any future EYEFEAR project. It was July 1998 and a second wind had hit the band. A renewed vitality and a musical direction, it was now up to them to prove themselves to the world. New. Reborn. EYEFEAR were certainly back. The truth is, they never really went away, but time had chosen this moment for a new return.



Work immediately began on a new crop of songs. Many weeks had passed, which eventually lead to the self produced EP: DAWN – A New Beginning (a very suitable title indeed!!!). This EP was originally recorded more for promotional purposes and to showcase the new members. It included 2 previously released tracks from the EDGE OF EXISTENCE album: the first, "Of Blind of Faith" (which is now called "Dawn"), and the other is "Running Man" (now called "Evermore"). It also include a taste of the brand new material with the previously unheard track, "Illumination Fades". Each of these songs displays dramatically the maturity and technical proficiency now present in their music. But just as things were headed in the right direction, again there were to be more line up changes.



Unfortunately, between AUG '99 and FEB 2000, Anthony, Jim and Shirhan all left for personal reasons. This left the remaining members on a real down-hill path. Although all this had happened again, Rob, Zain and Con continued rehearsing. Their love for the band had never died, and again they went in search of new members.



September 2000 saw the emergence of 2 new members in EYEFEAR. Garrett Ryan on keyboards and Danny Cecati on vocals. Thus opening yet another new chapter in EYEFEAR. Both guys brought with them the energy to kick-start the band - a fresh lease of life and the desire to succeed, even though they come from quite different musical back grounds.



Danny, of course I’m sure you all know, was the front man for the Australian metal band PEGAZUS and, like Jim, it was well known that he was in search for the right band that would show his true worth. He brings a wealth of talent, experience, professionalism and knowledge. A lot has been said as to how he would cope with singing a more complex style of metal but, one thing's for sure, he has passed that mark quite easily. He has given both old and new material the energy and power it had needed.



On the other hand Garrett came into the band purely out of his love and desire for the music. He had never really been involved with any bands. He brought with him a very open mind due to the fact the he listens to a wide range of music and that has developed him into a very talented musician.



So, with the line-up complete, it was time to start seriously thinking about recording the next album. It was the September 2002, and we had the songs and the line-up... or so we thought. Once again, a line-up change was imminent... and it was to come during recording of the album. We started laying down tracks with Endel Rivers at Palm Studios, which could only be done in bits and pieces (seeing as Endel was so booked out with the recording of albums by Vanishing Point, Black Majesty, Crimsonfire, and Enter Twilight).



In October, Garrett decided to leave for personal reasons, and though he rejoined in November, he was destined to follow his own path. We didn't know it at the time, but it was to be a God-send!



Recording on "9 Elements Of Inner Vision" (named in February 2003) continued on, but by mid-June EYEFEAR were yet again looking for a new keyboard player. This should have been a problem, considering keyboardists are in so short supply that our major bands can't find replacements. However, luck was on our side, and when Con went to his local music store for some strings, he bumped into Sammy Giaccotto. Knowing he was a keyboard player, Con asked Sammy if he knew of any, and next thing we knew, we had our new member! We knew he had been playing for most of his life, but nothing could have prepared us for our first rehearsal with him.



Sammy is a musician of rare talent, and instantly added a whole new depth to our music. The keyboard tracks for the album (already recorded by Con, and even mixed) were re-recorded by our new prodigy, ensuring "9 Elements Of Inner Vision" will capture the full, majestic sound of EYEFEAR today.Quelle: http://www.ozzyfrank.com/eyefear/Eyefear.htmDiscografie1996 - Edge Of Existence

1999 - Dawn-A New Beginning

2003 - Promo (Demo)

2004 - 9 Elements Of Inner Vision

2007 - A World Full Of Grey

2008 - The Unseen

2012 - The Inception Of Darkness

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Reviews

9 Elements Of Inner Vision - Cover
Viele von Euch dürften Danny Cecati noch als ehemaligen Frontmann der australischen True Metaller PEGAZUS in Erinnerung haben, die jedoch leider irgendwann in der Versenkung verschwunden sind.
TIPP
A World Full Of Grey - Cover
Mit ihrem zweiten Album "9 Elements Of Inner Vision” haben die australischen Prog-Metaller ein kleines Meisterwerk abgeliefert, das große Folgetaten erwarten ließ.
The Inception Of Darkness - Cover
Die Truppe aus Melbourne galt spätestens seit dem Einstieg von Ex-PEGAZUS-Frontröhre Danny Cecati als großer Hoffnungsträger in der Schnittmenge aus Melodic- und Progressive Metal, lieferte 2004 mit &