Heavenly (French band)
Encyclopedia
Heavenly, a power metal
/neo-classical metal
band from Paris, France, was formed in 1994 by vocalist Benjamin Sotto
and drummer Max Pilo. They were originally a cover band and played under the name of 'Satan's Lawyer' before evolving into a full-fledged Helloween
-influenced power metal
outfit, and releasing a three track demo with new guitarist Anthony Parker. However, Parker's time with the band was to be short lived, leaving before a record deal with Noise Records
was clinched. Heavenly then found a replacement in Chris Savourey and completed their lineup with bassist Laurent Jean.
In 2000, Heavenly released their debut album Coming from the Sky
. Although it was largely shunned by the media, the album proved a hit with metal fans and its success helped Heavenly land an appearance at the French Hard Rock Festival. With the arrival of a keyboardist Frédéric Leclercq
and the replacement of departed bassist Laurent Jean with Piere-Emmanuel Pelisson, Heavenly underwent another lineup change shortly before they supported Stratovarius
on their 'Infinite' tour. Chris Savourey left soon afterwards, and Frédéric Leclercq took on his role as the band's guitarist.
Heavenly released their second album Sign of the Winner
in 2001, and received positive feedback from both fans and media alike. For their following support slot on Edguy
's European tour, Charley Corbiaux joined as a second guitarist, and has since become a permanent addition to Heavenly's ranks.
After appearing at Wacken Open Air
(the world's biggest metal festival) in 2002, Heavenly set to work recording their third album, Dust to Dust
, which was eventually released in early 2004, further solidifying their status as one of France's premier power metal
bands.
In 2006, Heavenly released their 4th album, titled Virus
. It is a departure from previous efforts, incorporating less double-bass drumming and expanding Sotto's vocal range.
In December 2009, they released their 5th album Carpe Diem
.
According to Heavenly's Website, they will be opening for Scorpions
during their French Tour.
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
/neo-classical metal
Neo-classical metal
Neo-classical metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that is heavily influenced by classical music. It refers to a very technical performanceExact quote from the french text: "L'arrivée du néoclassique remet au goût du jour la virtuosité et le travail de l'instrument", « Les secrets du metal-...
band from Paris, France, was formed in 1994 by vocalist Benjamin Sotto
Benjamin Sotto
Benjamin Sotto is a French metal singer and a member of the band Heavenly.- Biography :Benjamin Sotto was born on 22 September 1980, in Les Lilas, Paris, France....
and drummer Max Pilo. They were originally a cover band and played under the name of 'Satan's Lawyer' before evolving into a full-fledged Helloween
Helloween
Helloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was a pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt...
-influenced power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
outfit, and releasing a three track demo with new guitarist Anthony Parker. However, Parker's time with the band was to be short lived, leaving before a record deal with Noise Records
Noise Records
Noise Records was a German record label founded by German music industry personality Karl-Ulrich Walterbach in 1983 as an expansion of his company Modern Music Records. Noise Records specialized in thrash and melodic speed metal. It was sold to the Sanctuary Records Group in 2001 and ceased any...
was clinched. Heavenly then found a replacement in Chris Savourey and completed their lineup with bassist Laurent Jean.
In 2000, Heavenly released their debut album Coming from the Sky
Coming from the Sky
Coming from the Sky is the first full-length album by the French power metal band Heavenly. It was released on July 25, 2000, by Noise Records.-Track listing:All songs written by Ben Sotto# "Coming from the Sky" – 1:39# "Carry Your Heart" – 4:17...
. Although it was largely shunned by the media, the album proved a hit with metal fans and its success helped Heavenly land an appearance at the French Hard Rock Festival. With the arrival of a keyboardist Frédéric Leclercq
Frédéric Leclercq
Frédéric Leclercq is the bassist and backing vocalist for power metal band DragonForce and the guitarist/vocalist in his own band, Maladaptive. He is a session musician for various other bands, including George Lynch's Souls of We...
and the replacement of departed bassist Laurent Jean with Piere-Emmanuel Pelisson, Heavenly underwent another lineup change shortly before they supported Stratovarius
Stratovarius
Stratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
on their 'Infinite' tour. Chris Savourey left soon afterwards, and Frédéric Leclercq took on his role as the band's guitarist.
Heavenly released their second album Sign of the Winner
Sign of the Winner
Sign of the Winner is the second full-length album by the French power metal band Heavenly. It was released on September 24, 2001, by Noise Records.-Track listing:All songs written by Ben Sotto...
in 2001, and received positive feedback from both fans and media alike. For their following support slot on Edguy
Edguy
-Demos, AFM years :Edguy was founded in 1992 by 14-year-old students Tobias Sammet, Jens Ludwig, Dominik Storch and Dirk Sauer. The name "Edguy" was an affectionate epithet for Mr. Edgar Siedschlag, their math teacher at the time. In 1994, the band released two demos, Evil Minded and Children of...
's European tour, Charley Corbiaux joined as a second guitarist, and has since become a permanent addition to Heavenly's ranks.
After appearing at Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air is a summer open air heavy metal music festival. It takes place annually in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany...
(the world's biggest metal festival) in 2002, Heavenly set to work recording their third album, Dust to Dust
Dust to Dust (Heavenly album)
Dust to Dust is the third full-length album by the French power metal band Heavenly. It was released on January 12, 2004 by Noise Records. The album is a concept album following a man seeking revenge upon the Master of Doom for transforming him into a vampire and forcing him to prey on the innocent...
, which was eventually released in early 2004, further solidifying their status as one of France's premier power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
bands.
In 2006, Heavenly released their 4th album, titled Virus
Virus (Heavenly album)
Virus is the fourth full-length album by the French power metal band Heavenly. The advanced Japanese release occurred on September 21, 2006, by Avalon Records.-Track listing:All songs by Benjamin Sotto, except "The Joker" by Charley Corbiaux...
. It is a departure from previous efforts, incorporating less double-bass drumming and expanding Sotto's vocal range.
In December 2009, they released their 5th album Carpe Diem
Carpe Diem (Heavenly album)
Carpe Diem is the fifth full-length album by the French power metal band Heavenly. It was released on December 18, 2009 via AFM Records.-Track listing:-Band members:* Benjamin Sotto - vocals* Charley Corbiaux - guitar* Matthieu Plana - bass...
.
According to Heavenly's Website, they will be opening for Scorpions
Scorpions (band)
Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still...
during their French Tour.
Band members
- Benjamin SottoBenjamin SottoBenjamin Sotto is a French metal singer and a member of the band Heavenly.- Biography :Benjamin Sotto was born on 22 September 1980, in Les Lilas, Paris, France....
- Vocals (1994–present) - Charley Corbiaux - Guitar (2002–present)
- Matthieu Plana - Bass (2004–present)
- Olivier Lapauze - Guitar (2004–present)
- Piwee - Drums (2009–present)
Former members
- Anthony Parker - Guitar (1998–1999)
- Chris Savourey - Guitar (1999–2001)
- Frédéric LeclercqFrédéric LeclercqFrédéric Leclercq is the bassist and backing vocalist for power metal band DragonForce and the guitarist/vocalist in his own band, Maladaptive. He is a session musician for various other bands, including George Lynch's Souls of We...
- Guitar (2000–2004) - Laurent Jean - Bass (1999–2000)
- P.E. Pelisson - Bass (1994–2004)
- Max Pilo - Drums (1994–2004)
- Thomas Das Neves - Drums (2004–2009)
Discography
- Coming from the SkyComing from the SkyComing from the Sky is the first full-length album by the French power metal band Heavenly. It was released on July 25, 2000, by Noise Records.-Track listing:All songs written by Ben Sotto# "Coming from the Sky" – 1:39# "Carry Your Heart" – 4:17...
(2000) - Sign of the WinnerSign of the WinnerSign of the Winner is the second full-length album by the French power metal band Heavenly. It was released on September 24, 2001, by Noise Records.-Track listing:All songs written by Ben Sotto...
(2001) - Dust to DustDust to Dust (Heavenly album)Dust to Dust is the third full-length album by the French power metal band Heavenly. It was released on January 12, 2004 by Noise Records. The album is a concept album following a man seeking revenge upon the Master of Doom for transforming him into a vampire and forcing him to prey on the innocent...
(2004) - VirusVirus (Heavenly album)Virus is the fourth full-length album by the French power metal band Heavenly. The advanced Japanese release occurred on September 21, 2006, by Avalon Records.-Track listing:All songs by Benjamin Sotto, except "The Joker" by Charley Corbiaux...
(2006) - Carpe DiemCarpe Diem (Heavenly album)Carpe Diem is the fifth full-length album by the French power metal band Heavenly. It was released on December 18, 2009 via AFM Records.-Track listing:-Band members:* Benjamin Sotto - vocals* Charley Corbiaux - guitar* Matthieu Plana - bass...
(2009)
Awards
- 2001 Best French Band Award - Hard Rock Magazine
- 2001 Best French Band Award - Rock Hard Magazine