Apocalypse (band)
Encyclopedia
Apocalypse is a progressive rock
band from Brazil that plays symphonic rock
with strong electronic keyboard orientation. Many influences can be noticed among their discography, but Genesis
, Yes
, ELP
, Pink Floyd
, Rush
and Marillion
are the most present.
The lineup of Apocalypse consisted of Eloy Fritsch
(electronic keyboards), Magoo Wise(bass), Ruy Fritsch (guitars), Fábio Schneider(drums) and Gustavo Demarchi (lead vocal and flute).
, Southern Brazil, founded by Eloy Fritsch and some school friends at the Colégio Nossa Senhora do Carmo who got together for a student music contest. After this first concert, guitar player Ruy Fritsch and drummer Chico Fasoli joined their ranks, playing with the band at the Festival 1º Ópera Rock. From the beginning, they presented a very different style, compared to the other local groups. They made use of organ, synthesizers, classical vocals and created songs influenced by Uriah Heep, Yes, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Rush and Genesis. From 1984 to 1988, the line-up changed several times.
In 1992, the line-up stabilized with Eloy Fritsch (keyboards), Ruy Fritsch (guitar), Chico Fasoli (drums) and Chico Casara (bass, vocals).
Apocalypse was now signed to Musea, the most prestigious progressive rock label in the world. The album "Perto do Amanhecer" was released in France in 1995. The good reviews from abroad soon started to arrive, which led to a rise in the band's popularity and another invitation from Musea, this time for the compilation "Le Melleur du Progressif Instrumental". This CD was edited in the end of 1995 with several European bands and Apocalypse representing Brazil. With its baroque influences and a beautiful interplay of minimoog and guitar solos, the chosen song was “Notre Dame”.
In their following album, “Aurora dos Sonhos”, Apocalypse created several progressive rock masterpieces, such as "Do Outro Lado da Vida" and "Vindo das Estrelas", both of them complex and long tracks in the best prog tradition. “Aurora dos Sonhos” was again released in France by Musea and was hailed as a great album by many progressive rock magazines around the globe. In 1998, the band was invited to play at the greatest music festival in Southern Brazil, the Planeta Atlântida festival.
After this show, they signed with Atração, a Brazilian label and released a CD entitled "The Best of Apocalypse", with tracks from their French CDs. To promote this CD, they decided they should tour other parts of Brazil. In April, they are invited by the Rock Symphony label and travel to Rio de Janeiro to take part in the Rio ArtRock Festival third edition, playing together with English band Pendragon at the Teatro João Caetano. One year later, in 1999, they are invited to play in the USA, at the longest running progressive rock festival in the world: Progday. This show would make history, because it was the first time a Brazilian band recorded a show in the USA for a CD release
The album “Live in USA" was released as a double CD with a CD-ROM track containing a videoclip and a gorgeous booklet with many photographs from the US trip. The CD saw the light of day in 2000 and Rock Symphony took over the distribution.
The CD “Refúgio” was released in 2003 by the Rock Symphony and Musea labels with new tracks such as “Viagem no Tempo”, “Amazônia”, “Lembranças Eternas”, “Refúgio”, “Liberdade”, “Terceiro Milênio” and the epic “Cachoeira das Águas Douradas”. As a bonus, it also includes two songs from the “Live in USA” double CD. Coming 2004, Chico Casara (vocal and bass) leaves Apocalypse, and the other musicians decide to go on with a new line-up.
Singer Gustavo Demarchi and bass player Magoo Wise are invited to join the band. Apocalypse takes on a new project: to record some of their old hits in English and also to start writing in the new language. In September 2005, Apocalypse is invited to another festival in Rio, this time the Rock Symphony For The Record festival at the Teatro Municipal de Niterói, Rio de Janeiro.
The band's concert, on September 8, was released in DVD through Rock Symphony label together with Musea Record Company. After this show, the band made yet another appearance in Rio, in 2006, playing together with English band Uriah Heep at the Canecão as part of the Rock in Concert Brazil Festival.
Released in Brazil in 2008 by Free Mind Records and in Europe and Asia by Musea Records, The Bridge Of Light won several indications as Best of 2008: "Best Album", "Best Cover", "Best Show" and "Best Keyboardist" to Eloy Fritsch. In early 2009, the band also received the trophy Vasco Prado in honor of its 25 year career and Eloy Fritsch received the "Azorean Music Award - Honorable Mention" for his contribution to the south Brazilian music scene.
In 2009, the band undertook two tours in promotion of The Bridge Of Light including shows in the states of São Paulo and Parana. In addition to touring, the band performs with frequency in Rio Grande do Sul, the band´s home state. For the second consecutive year, the keyboardist and composer Eloy Fritsch is also indicated as "Brazilian Best Rock Keyboardist" in 2009 by the renowned Brazilian rock site Whiplash.
The National Grape Party in Caxias do Sul, south of Brazil was the first show of the new drummer of the band, Fábio Schneider. He joins the band in substitution of the old drummer, Chico Fasoli.
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band from Brazil that plays symphonic rock
Symphonic rock
Symphonic rock is a sub-genre of progressive rock. Since early in progressive rock's history, the term has been used sometimes to distinguish more classically influenced progressive rock from the more psychedelic and experimental forms of progressive rock....
with strong electronic keyboard orientation. Many influences can be noticed among their discography, but Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
, Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
, ELP
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, also known as ELP, are an English progressive rock supergroup. They found success in the 1970s and sold over forty million albums and headlined large stadium concerts. The band consists of Keith Emerson , Greg Lake and Carl Palmer...
, Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
and Marillion
Marillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
are the most present.
The lineup of Apocalypse consisted of Eloy Fritsch
Eloy Fritsch
Eloy Fernando Fritsch is the keyboard player and main composer of Brazilian progressive rock band Apocalypse and as a solo artist he creates cosmic New Age music.-History:...
(electronic keyboards), Magoo Wise(bass), Ruy Fritsch (guitars), Fábio Schneider(drums) and Gustavo Demarchi (lead vocal and flute).
Personnel
- Eloy FritschEloy FritschEloy Fernando Fritsch is the keyboard player and main composer of Brazilian progressive rock band Apocalypse and as a solo artist he creates cosmic New Age music.-History:...
(keyboards and vocals) - Ruy Fritsch (guitar)
- Fábio Schneider (drums and percussion)
- Gustavo Demarchi (lead vocal, acoustic guitar and flute)
- Magoo Wise (bass)
History
The progressive rock band Apocalypse was born in 1983, in Caxias do SulCaxias do Sul
Caxias do Sul is a city in Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil, situated in the state's mountainous Serra Gaúcha region. Coordinates: 29°10′0″ S, 51°11′0″ W....
, Southern Brazil, founded by Eloy Fritsch and some school friends at the Colégio Nossa Senhora do Carmo who got together for a student music contest. After this first concert, guitar player Ruy Fritsch and drummer Chico Fasoli joined their ranks, playing with the band at the Festival 1º Ópera Rock. From the beginning, they presented a very different style, compared to the other local groups. They made use of organ, synthesizers, classical vocals and created songs influenced by Uriah Heep, Yes, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Rush and Genesis. From 1984 to 1988, the line-up changed several times.
In 1992, the line-up stabilized with Eloy Fritsch (keyboards), Ruy Fritsch (guitar), Chico Fasoli (drums) and Chico Casara (bass, vocals).
Apocalypse was now signed to Musea, the most prestigious progressive rock label in the world. The album "Perto do Amanhecer" was released in France in 1995. The good reviews from abroad soon started to arrive, which led to a rise in the band's popularity and another invitation from Musea, this time for the compilation "Le Melleur du Progressif Instrumental". This CD was edited in the end of 1995 with several European bands and Apocalypse representing Brazil. With its baroque influences and a beautiful interplay of minimoog and guitar solos, the chosen song was “Notre Dame”.
In their following album, “Aurora dos Sonhos”, Apocalypse created several progressive rock masterpieces, such as "Do Outro Lado da Vida" and "Vindo das Estrelas", both of them complex and long tracks in the best prog tradition. “Aurora dos Sonhos” was again released in France by Musea and was hailed as a great album by many progressive rock magazines around the globe. In 1998, the band was invited to play at the greatest music festival in Southern Brazil, the Planeta Atlântida festival.
After this show, they signed with Atração, a Brazilian label and released a CD entitled "The Best of Apocalypse", with tracks from their French CDs. To promote this CD, they decided they should tour other parts of Brazil. In April, they are invited by the Rock Symphony label and travel to Rio de Janeiro to take part in the Rio ArtRock Festival third edition, playing together with English band Pendragon at the Teatro João Caetano. One year later, in 1999, they are invited to play in the USA, at the longest running progressive rock festival in the world: Progday. This show would make history, because it was the first time a Brazilian band recorded a show in the USA for a CD release
The album “Live in USA" was released as a double CD with a CD-ROM track containing a videoclip and a gorgeous booklet with many photographs from the US trip. The CD saw the light of day in 2000 and Rock Symphony took over the distribution.
The CD “Refúgio” was released in 2003 by the Rock Symphony and Musea labels with new tracks such as “Viagem no Tempo”, “Amazônia”, “Lembranças Eternas”, “Refúgio”, “Liberdade”, “Terceiro Milênio” and the epic “Cachoeira das Águas Douradas”. As a bonus, it also includes two songs from the “Live in USA” double CD. Coming 2004, Chico Casara (vocal and bass) leaves Apocalypse, and the other musicians decide to go on with a new line-up.
Singer Gustavo Demarchi and bass player Magoo Wise are invited to join the band. Apocalypse takes on a new project: to record some of their old hits in English and also to start writing in the new language. In September 2005, Apocalypse is invited to another festival in Rio, this time the Rock Symphony For The Record festival at the Teatro Municipal de Niterói, Rio de Janeiro.
The band's concert, on September 8, was released in DVD through Rock Symphony label together with Musea Record Company. After this show, the band made yet another appearance in Rio, in 2006, playing together with English band Uriah Heep at the Canecão as part of the Rock in Concert Brazil Festival.
Released in Brazil in 2008 by Free Mind Records and in Europe and Asia by Musea Records, The Bridge Of Light won several indications as Best of 2008: "Best Album", "Best Cover", "Best Show" and "Best Keyboardist" to Eloy Fritsch. In early 2009, the band also received the trophy Vasco Prado in honor of its 25 year career and Eloy Fritsch received the "Azorean Music Award - Honorable Mention" for his contribution to the south Brazilian music scene.
In 2009, the band undertook two tours in promotion of The Bridge Of Light including shows in the states of São Paulo and Parana. In addition to touring, the band performs with frequency in Rio Grande do Sul, the band´s home state. For the second consecutive year, the keyboardist and composer Eloy Fritsch is also indicated as "Brazilian Best Rock Keyboardist" in 2009 by the renowned Brazilian rock site Whiplash.
The National Grape Party in Caxias do Sul, south of Brazil was the first show of the new drummer of the band, Fábio Schneider. He joins the band in substitution of the old drummer, Chico Fasoli.
Studio albums
- ApocalypseApocalypse (Apocalypse album)Apocalypse was founded by Eloy Fritsch and friends in order to participate in a student festival in 1983, and after some changes in the lineup, the progressive rock band Apocalypse offered the first work, full of energy. The trio of musicians signed with Acit Records in 1990 and traveled to Porto...
(1991) - Perto do AmanhecerPerto do AmanhecerPerto do Amanhecer is an album by Brazilian progressive rock group Apocalypse. The compositions are in the symphonic prog rock way with strong influences of progressive British bands such as Yes, Marillion, IQ, Genesis and ELP. Keyboardist Eloy Fritsch's Minimoog solos and synthesizers are present...
(1995) - Aurora dos SonhosAurora dos SonhosAurora dos Sonhos is an album by the Brazilian progressive rock group Apocalypse. One year after Perto do Amanhecer, Apocalypse released Aurora dos Sonhos through Musea Records. Their line-up hasn’t changed and they have opted to use the same producer in order to create their very own sound...
(1996) - Lendas EncantadasLendas EncantadasLendas Encantadas is an album by Apocalypse. It reissue of their first work with all lyrics in Portuguese. The difference is that one track was completely re-recorded and the guitar parts are added to this CD...
(1997) - RefugioRefugioRefugio may refer to:Places:*Refugio County, Texas*Refugio, Texas, a town in Refugio County*Refugio State Beach, near Santa Barbara, California*Refugio Canyon, a region near Santa Barbara, California...
(2003) - The Bridge Of LightThe Bridge of LightThe Bridge of Light is a science fiction novel by author A. Hyatt Verrill. It was originally published in the Fall 1929 edition of the magazine Amazing Stories Quarterly. It was subsequently republished in book form during 1950 by Fantasy Press in an edition of 2,556 copies.In all, A...
(2008) - 2012 Light Years From Home (2011)
Compilations
- The Best of ApocalypseThe Best of Apocalypse (The Best of Apocalypse album)The Best of Apocalypse Apocalypse is a Symphonic Prog Rock Brazilian band formed in 1983. The band's lyrics deal mostly with humanistic themes - war, mysticism, nature, and death, but with a melodic instrumental style. Fans and the band themselves suggest similarities to ELP, Yes, Rush and Marillion...
(1998)
Live albums
- Apocalypse Live in USAApocalypse Live in USAApocalypse Live in USA The first Brazilian progressive rock group recorded a live album in USA. The Rock Symphony Record Company release the Apocalypse's double-live album recorded at North Carolina including a multimedia track with the band's history, discography, video clips, and photos...
(2000) - Magic Spells (2006)
- Apocalypse Live in Rio (2006)
Compilation appearances
- Circuito de Rock (1989) Track: Só Você
- Le Melleur du Progressif Instrumental (1996) Track: Notre Dame
- Rio Art Rock Festival (1999) Track: Corta
- ProgDay Encore (2001) Tracks: Corta, Jamais Retornarei, Clássicos (Rock Version)
- Margen - Music from the Edge Vol. l6 (2002)- Track: Refúgio
External links
- Official website
- Official Myspace
- [ All Music Guide]
- Official Apocalypse Fan Site
- Brazilian Fan Site