CIRCUS MAXIMUS
(Norway)
www.circusmaximussite.com
The new wave of Norwegian progressive metal has found a worthy representative in Circus Maximus. Very accessible vocal melodies blending perfectly with progressive metal tunes.
Norwegian Circus Maximus became a full line up in 2000, consisting of long time band-mates Michael Eriksen on vocals and brothers Mats & Truls Haugen on guitar and drums respectively. In addition the band featured keyboardist Espen Storø and Mats' old high school buddy Glen Cato Møllen on bass.
The band has a wide variety of musical influences, from pop/rock to 70's Prog-Rock to Heavy and Death metal, all of which is melted together and gives the guys their unique sound. The melting pot creates a mixture of great melodies, groove, heavy riffs and weird odd time signatures.
Truls is playing drums in a death-metal band called Insense, as well as for Norwegian hard rock band Carnivora (on their second album "Re-Incarnal" through FaceFront Records in June 2006). Michael has also been involved in the hard rock band Carnivora (he sang on their debut album "Judas", released through FaceFront Records in May 2004).
After recording 2 demos, which received rave reviews in Norway, as well in Europe and the states, Circus Maximus hooked up with Danish based metal agency Intromental Management in April 2004, and soon after got signed to the American label Sensory Records.
During summer of 2004, the band completed the song writing for the debut album, "The First Chapter", which was recorded in various studios in Norway, and mixed in October 2004 in Denmark at Jailhouse Studios with well-known producer Tommy Hansen (Helloween, Pretty Maids, Wuthering Heights) at the helm. The sound is impeccable, the musicianship is out-of-this-world, Michael's voice is amazing (reminding of Tony Harnell, Joey Tempest and Ronnie Atkins), and the songs are simply put outstanding. A superb mixture of classic hard rock anthems and progressive technical bits and pieces. The debut album was released in Europe through Frontiers Records and the rest of the world through Snesory Records.
In September 2005 Circus Maximus performed at the prestigious ProgPower Festival in Atlanta, USA - and the following year people demanded them to return, which they of course did, bringing along their new keyboardist Lasse Finbroten.
Right now the band is focused on recording the material for their second album, which is expected to be released August 2007.
Circus Maximus will for sure appeal to all fans of bands such as Symphony X, TNT, Dream Theater, Pretty Maids and Queensryche.
Line-Up:
Michael Eriksen - vocals
Truls Haugen - drums
Mats Haugen - guitars
Glen Cato Möllen - bass
Lasse Finbroten - keyboards