US Release Date: 1.12.10
Now featuring members of Thunderstone and Axxis, Ride the Sky, the eighth full-length from German power metal four-piece AT VANCE, will be released in the states via AFM records on January 12th. The offering was recorded, produced and mixed by founder Olaf Lenk and mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki. Ride The Sky is THE next logical step in the band's decade-plus long history. It's all here: lightning-fast smashers (“End Of Days”), riff-based anthems (“Burning Like Fire”), stomping hymns (“Ride The Sky”), and even a cover version of “Wishing Well” by Free.
This band knows what their fans expect – and they deliver each and every time! German neo-classical inspired Power Metal force AT VANCE is back with their 8th album, entitled “Ride The Sky”. Mastermind and guitar player supreme Olaf Lenk navigated the ship on route as always. His style of playing combined with the ability to compose amazing songs made AT VANCE a strong force and one of the most respected bands of the European Metal scene. By the years it became obvious to everybody that – however – AT VANCE had created their own interpretation of neo-classical Power Metal that crosses elegantly with the true spirit of 80's Hard Rock.
AT VANCE are quality personified. At this stage of their career, with many thousands of fans hailing the band's qualities, every new AT VANCE album is just a refinement of their style, so “Ride The Sky” became the next logical step in the band's history. It's all here: lightning-quick smashers (“End Of Days”), anthemic, riff-based tracks (“Burning Like Fire”), stomping hymns (“Ride The Sky”), powerful, dramatic tunes (“Salvation Day”) and even a cover version of the FREE classic “Wishing Well”. On “Farewell” the band adds a progressive touch to their sound Rick Altzi does a tremendous job on vocals while Lenk comes up with some of the best tracks he has ever written and brilliant guitar licks galore.
AT VANCE were founded by Lenk, the man already known through his solo albums, as guitarist in the legendary ZED YAGO and progressive project CENTERS. In 1998 the first album “No Escape” was a hint of things to come; but things really got interesting with 2000's “Heart Of Steel” where AT VANCE surprised the public with a truly stunning album that was then followed and built on by 2001's “Dragonchaser”. After signing with AFM Records in 2002, the band then released "Only Human" and got stuck into touring the name around Europe with RHAPSODY (OF FIRE) and ANGEL DUST. Singer Oliver Hartmann then left the band because of lack of passion for roadwork. A worthy replacement was found in former YNGWIE MALMSTEEN singer Mats Leven. Lenk spent the next few months writing furiously and 2003's album “The Evil In You” was surprisingly deep, emotional and fresh. A tour with KAMELOT followed. After that „Chained", saw the light of day in 2005 and secured chart entries in Scandinavia. The band then toured with BRAINSTORM and MERCENARY. Any doubts as to the success of AT VANCE had been dismissed! With the critically acclaimed “VII” album again changes came to the band: by the introduction of Rick Altzi (Treasure Land, now: Thunderstone) Olaf was able to find the perfect new singer for AT VANCE. The desire to play live gigs again and to have a solid line-up gain caused Olaf to search for new musicians to back himself and Altzi. He found the experienced drummer Alex Landenburg, who has played with ANNIHILATOR and AXXIS. The bass duties are now handled by Wolfman. Expect this new live line-up on tour soon.
“Ride The Sky” was recorded, produced and mixed by the master himself in Olaf Lenk's Guitarland. The mastering was done by Mika Jussila (Finnvox studios, Helsinki). “Ride The Sky” is another classic in the AT VANCE discography and hope for all fans that Olaf Lenk and his band can keep this high musical level for future releases. Be “at-vanced”!
Neoclassical/Power Metal
Lyrical theme(s)Fantasy, Life, Medieval Themes
Origin Formed in Current label StatusGermany (Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate) 1998 AFM Active
Current line-upRick Altzi - Vocals (2007-) (Thunderstone, Sandalinas, Frequency)
Olaf Lenk - Guitar, Keyboards (1998-) (Zed Yago, Velvet Viper)
Wolfman Black - Bass (2009-)
Alex Landenburg - Drums (2007-) (Axxis, Mekong Delta, Philosophobia, Broken Grace, Annihilator)
Former/past member(s)Vocals:
Mats Levén (2003-2007) (Abstrakt Algebra, Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Southpaw, Fatal Force (Dnk), Krux, Therion (Swe), Audiovision, Crash the System, Sabbtail, Jupiter Society, Treat, Amaseffer)
Oliver Hartmann (1998-2003) (Aina, Empty Tremor, Genius, Iron Mask, Avantasia)
Guitar:
Reinald König (1999-2004) (formerly Bass)
Bass:
Jochen Schnur (2000-2002) (Red Alert (Deu))
Sascha Feldmann (2003-2004)
John A.B.C. Smith (Dario Trobok) (2004-2007) (Scanner, Gallows Pole (Deu), Hallowed (Irl), God's Army)
Manuel Walther (2007-2009) (Purple Haze)
Drums:
Franco Zuccaroli - Session Drums (on "Evil in You' tour)
Mark Cross (Metalium (Deu), Winters Bane, Nightfall (Grc), God's Army, The Supremacy, Firewind, Outloud (Grc), Magna Carta, Spitfire (Grc), Helloween)
Spoony (1999)
Jürgen "Sledgehammer" Lucas (2000-2004) (Powerworld)
Keyboards:
Uli Müller (1999-2002)
Additional notesFormed under the name Centers.
At Vance have been accused of stealing and releasing a song from a Finnish power metal band called Shiver under their own banner. The case is currently being handled by the Finnish music copyright authority Teosto.
DiscographyNo Escape Full-length, 1999
Heart of Steel Full-length, 2000
Early Works - Centers Best of/Compilation, 2001
Dragonchaser Full-length, 2001
Only Human Full-length, 2002
The Evil in You Full-length, 2003
Chained Full-length, 2005
VII Full-length, 2007
Ride the Sky Full-length, 2009
At Vance -The winner take it all
Vivaldi Four Seasons Winter - At Vance ( Metal Cover )
Beethoven, 5th Symphony - At Vance ( Metal Cover )
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