Cloudscape (band)
Encyclopedia
Cloudscape is a progressive metal
band from Helsingborg
, Sweden
. Since formation the band have gone on to play at renowned festivals such as ProgPower Europe
in 2005, Sweden Rock Festival
in 2006, ProgPower UK
in 2007, and Bloodstock Open Air
in 2008. So far they have released 3 full length albums, and 4 videos (two of them promoting songs from their latest release "Global Drama").
in 2000, as well as playing many support slots to various Swedish acts, under the line-up of Micael Andersson (Vocals), Björn Eliasson (Guitars), Patrik Svärd (Guitars), Hans Persson (Bass) and Roger Landin (Drums).
In 2002, the band signed a deal with "Roasting House", a production and managedment company, to allow themselves to be heard in the music industry. During 2003, several demo reviews were published in different magazines and webzines, giving them increasing recognition in the underground metal scene. The band then entered a studio at "Roasting House" in Malmö
, Sweden
, in early May, and began recording their debut 12-track album, which would later be a self-titled release in late 2004 (Asia) and early 2005 (Europe). The band also filmed a video for the track "Under Fire".
On the 2nd of October, the band played a show at the indoor festival ProgPower Europe
in Baarlo, Netherlands
, marking the first concert played outside of Sweden.
, as well as various shows in the United States.
The song "Will We Remain" features guest vocals from Nightwish
vocalist Anette Olzon
(vocalist of "Alyson Avenue
" at the time), and the bands second music video was made for the song "Demon Tears" with Rainer Holmgren.
In 2007 the band played at the ProgPower UK
festival, and on the 2nd of September, entered the "Roasting House" studio once again to begin recording the third album.
for the first time on Saturday the 16th of August, on the festivals main stage. On August 22, Cloudscape performed live at the Prog Metal Fest in Oslo
, Norway
, though the band performed only as a quartet
as guitarist Björn Eliasson felt unable to play due to injuries to his back/spine.
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
band from Helsingborg
Helsingborg
Helsingborg is a city and the seat of Helsingborg Municipality, Skåne County, Sweden with 97,122 inhabitants in 2010. Helsingborg is the centre of an area in the Øresund region of about 320,000 inhabitants in north-west Scania, and is Sweden's closest point to Denmark, with the Danish city...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. Since formation the band have gone on to play at renowned festivals such as ProgPower Europe
ProgPower Europe
ProgPower Europe is a progressive and power metal festival held annually in the Netherlands since 1999. The last edition, the 13th, was held at Sjiwa in Baarlo on September 30 – October 2, 2011...
in 2005, Sweden Rock Festival
Sweden Rock Festival
Sweden Rock Festival is an annual rock/metal festival held in Sweden since 6 June 1992. While having a clear rock/metal focus, the festival is noted for its diversity across these genres, having featured southern rock bands such as Molly Hatchet to death metal legends like Obituary.The first...
in 2006, ProgPower UK
ProgPower UK
ProgPower UK is a progressive and power metal festival held annually in the United Kingdom since 2006. Its latest edition, which would have taken place in the Anson Rooms at the University of Bristol on 28 March – 29 March 2008, headlined by Evergrey and Vanden Plas, was cancelled due to...
in 2007, and Bloodstock Open Air
Bloodstock Open Air
Bloodstock Open Air is a heavy metal festival held annually at Catton Hall in Walton-upon-Trent, England, since 2005. Previous line-ups have included bands such as Opeth , Children of Bodom , Nightwish , Cradle of Filth , Testament , Arch Enemy , Europe and Twisted Sister .Originally on one stage...
in 2008. So far they have released 3 full length albums, and 4 videos (two of them promoting songs from their latest release "Global Drama").
Formation and Debut Album (2001-2005)
Cloudscape arose from a locally known band called "Doctor Weird" after appeared at the Sweden Rock FestivalSweden Rock Festival
Sweden Rock Festival is an annual rock/metal festival held in Sweden since 6 June 1992. While having a clear rock/metal focus, the festival is noted for its diversity across these genres, having featured southern rock bands such as Molly Hatchet to death metal legends like Obituary.The first...
in 2000, as well as playing many support slots to various Swedish acts, under the line-up of Micael Andersson (Vocals), Björn Eliasson (Guitars), Patrik Svärd (Guitars), Hans Persson (Bass) and Roger Landin (Drums).
In 2002, the band signed a deal with "Roasting House", a production and managedment company, to allow themselves to be heard in the music industry. During 2003, several demo reviews were published in different magazines and webzines, giving them increasing recognition in the underground metal scene. The band then entered a studio at "Roasting House" in Malmö
Malmö
Malmö , in the southernmost province of Scania, is the third most populous city in Sweden, after Stockholm and Gothenburg.Malmö is the seat of Malmö Municipality and the capital of Skåne County...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, in early May, and began recording their debut 12-track album, which would later be a self-titled release in late 2004 (Asia) and early 2005 (Europe). The band also filmed a video for the track "Under Fire".
On the 2nd of October, the band played a show at the indoor festival ProgPower Europe
ProgPower Europe
ProgPower Europe is a progressive and power metal festival held annually in the Netherlands since 1999. The last edition, the 13th, was held at Sjiwa in Baarlo on September 30 – October 2, 2011...
in Baarlo, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, marking the first concert played outside of Sweden.
Crimson Skies (2006-2007)
The recording for Cloudscape's 2nd full length album, Crimson Skies, began in January, and was completely mixed and mastered by the end of March. The album was then released on the 3rd of June, with various concerts then played including a performance at the acclaimed Sweden Rock FestivalSweden Rock Festival
Sweden Rock Festival is an annual rock/metal festival held in Sweden since 6 June 1992. While having a clear rock/metal focus, the festival is noted for its diversity across these genres, having featured southern rock bands such as Molly Hatchet to death metal legends like Obituary.The first...
, as well as various shows in the United States.
The song "Will We Remain" features guest vocals from Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. Formed in 1996 by songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former vocalist Tarja Turunen, Nightwish's current line-up has five members, although Tarja has been replaced by Anette Olzon and the...
vocalist Anette Olzon
Anette Olzon
Anette Ingegerd Olsson , known by the stage name Anette Olzon, is a Swedish singer from Helsingborg, best known as the second lead vocalist of Finnish symphonic power metal band Nightwish. Olzon was formerly the vocalist in the Swedish AOR band Alyson Avenue...
(vocalist of "Alyson Avenue
Alyson Avenue
Alyson Avenue is a Swedish classic rock band. The band's musical style was described as "AOR". The band has released two albums: Presence of Mind and Omega, and are currently recording a third, which will feature previous lead singer Anette Olzon....
" at the time), and the bands second music video was made for the song "Demon Tears" with Rainer Holmgren.
In 2007 the band played at the ProgPower UK
ProgPower UK
ProgPower UK is a progressive and power metal festival held annually in the United Kingdom since 2006. Its latest edition, which would have taken place in the Anson Rooms at the University of Bristol on 28 March – 29 March 2008, headlined by Evergrey and Vanden Plas, was cancelled due to...
festival, and on the 2nd of September, entered the "Roasting House" studio once again to begin recording the third album.
Global Drama (2008-Present)
"Global Drama" was released on the 18th (Europe) and 19th (USA and Canada) of August. Two promotional videos were made for the tracks "Cloak and Daggers", followed later by "Darkest Legacy". During the time between the release of both videos, the band also performed at Bloodstock Open AirBloodstock Open Air
Bloodstock Open Air is a heavy metal festival held annually at Catton Hall in Walton-upon-Trent, England, since 2005. Previous line-ups have included bands such as Opeth , Children of Bodom , Nightwish , Cradle of Filth , Testament , Arch Enemy , Europe and Twisted Sister .Originally on one stage...
for the first time on Saturday the 16th of August, on the festivals main stage. On August 22, Cloudscape performed live at the Prog Metal Fest in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, though the band performed only as a quartet
Quartet
In music, a quartet is a method of instrumentation , used to perform a musical composition, and consisting of four parts.-Western art music:...
as guitarist Björn Eliasson felt unable to play due to injuries to his back/spine.
Current members
- Mike Andersson - Vocals (2001–present)
- Daniel Pålsson - GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(2010–present) - Patrik Svärd - GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(2001–present) - Håkan Nyander - Bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2009–present) - Fredrik Joakimsson - DrumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(2009–present)
Former members
- Hans Persson - Bass guitar and backing vocals (2001–2009)
- Roger Landin - Drums (2001–2009)
- Björn Eliasson - Guitar (2001–2010)
Albums
- CloudscapeCloudscape (album)Cloudscape is the self-titled debut album by Swedish progressive metal band Cloudscape, released through Metal Heaven in 2004.-Track listing:All songs are written by Micael Andersson & Björn Eliasson.#As the Light Leads the Way – 4:42...
(2004) - Crimson Skies (2006)
- Global Drama (2008)
- New Era (2011)