Founded in 1986 by Soulas and Welsch, Ivanhoe gained the reputation as Germany's Dream Theater after releasing their debut album in 1992. Arguably mostly know as the first band to feature vocalist Andy B. Franck of Symphorce and Brainstorm fame. After he left, the band tried out a.o. Chity Somapala (ex-Firewind).
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Line-up: Andy B. Franck - Vocals Axhim Welsch - Guitar Giovanni Soulas - Bass Markus Britsch - Keyboards Lars Hörnig - Drums |
Being a total Brainstorm nut, and a huge Andy B. Franck fan, I started to hunt for albums by Ivanhoe as soon as I learned that he used to be in this band. Luckily I stumbled across all 3 of his albums, as someone on a discussion board was selling them. 'Polarized' was the first one of them that really got to me. Here Andy uses his voice much more in the same vain as he do in his newer bands, which means a slightly more aggressive style, as well as staying more in his mid-range. And the music is way more memorable too. This is prog metal, but not the overtly technical kind. It has more with the songwriting technique than virtuous playing. The signature time chances, the "floating" vibe, the keyboards, the package. Ivanhoe ranks stylistically alongside bands such as Vanden Plas and 'Awake'-era Dream Theater.
Killer tracks: Lonelies, Hollow, Wasted Time, Whipping The Flies, When I'm Old
Related artists:
POLARIZED (1997) IRS