Ralph and Oliver met in early 1990 and decided to form a band together. Recruiting Keith Hancock, Shawn Phillips and Todd Plant Eyewitness was born. The band became a regular fixture on the Tampa Bay touring circuit, garnering a good name for themselves. Keith and Shawn left the band, and Steve Hodsen joined on bass. The band's demos (later to appear as the first Millenium album) were heard by Now & Then Records in the UK who were very impressed with the power and melody of Eyewitness. The band were immediately signed and recorded their debut album. The follow up album, 'Messiah Complex', was a deeper, more intense album which was not received as well as the debut. The band subsequently re-invented itself, with Oliver's long-time friend Manfred Binder replacing Steve Hodson on bass. A name change was also decided upon so as to make it plain that the band was moving in a new musical direction. Millenium were committed to melodic hard rock and the debut album was released to great reviews.

THE BEST OF... AND MORE (2004) FRONTIERS (2CD)

I am an absolute Jørn Lande fanatic, so it's a bit strange that I don't own the album he sang on for Millenium. But getting this compilation is the next best thing. Not only does it include 6 of the tracks from the mentioned album, it also gives us 6 previously unreleased tracks with him singing. Millenium are a melodic hardrock band, which nods over in the metal category as well. Firmly rooted in the classic 70's and 80's pop-metal sound, with references to bands like Whitesnake, Rainbow, Scorpions etc, but still sounding fresh and up to date, reminding me of artists such as Axel Rudi Pell and Line Of Fire. They have an astounding ability to write super catchy tunes, that will stick like glue to your cortex. There are just too many bands in the lighter area of the metal scene for me to invest too much time with most of them. But I can honestly say that Millenium belongs in the top 5% of these bands. Stellar players, singers, material and production all the way! What more do you really need? Of the 10 bonus tracks provided, some are covers, others are stuff that was recorded, but never quite made the cut. Here is a list of the cover-songs, and who did them originally: "On And On" (MSG), "I Surrender" (Rainbow), "Jane" (Jefferson Airplane), "Love Is Like Oxygen" (The Sweet). These were recorded for a tribute CD that never saw the light of day.

Ralph Santolla guest appearances:

Jorn - 'Starfire'

Jon Oliva's Pain - 'Global Warning'

Jørn Lande guest appearances:

Avantasia - 'Lost In Space Part 1'

Avantasia - 'Lost In Space Part 2'

Avantasia - 'The Scarecrow'

Avantasia - 'The Wicked Symphony'

Avantasia - 'Angel of Babylon'

Shane French guest appearances:

Jorn - 'Starfire'

Related artists:

Jorn, Death, Iced Earth, Masterplan, ARK, Vagabond, Mundanus Imperium, TNT, Demons & Wizards, Jon Oliva's Pain, Circle II Circle, Yngwie Malmsteen