Conception (band)

Formation and record label

The band was formed in Norway in 1989 by guitarist Tore Østby, singer Dag Østby, drummer Werner Skogli and bassist Freddy Samsonstuen. In 1990, after a demo tape, Arve Heimdal replaced Werner Skogli and Ingar Amlien replaced Freddy Samsonstuen. A year later, Dag Østby quit, and the band was forced to search for a new vocalist. After many auditions, the band joined with Roy Khan, an opera singer (who had to wear a wig because he did not feel comfortable with having longer hair). To record their first album, The Last Sunset, they formed their own record label, CSF Records. However, after talks and negotiations, Conception signed with Noise Records in 1993 and recorded their second album Parallel Minds. In 1995, they released their third album, In Your Multitude and their fourth and final album, Flow, in 1997.

Their somewhat short-lived career (the band disbanded in 1997-8) was characterized by a unique sound in the power/progressive metal genre (which was slightly altered with their last studio release, Flow), notable for Østby's occasional integration of elements of flamenco (which he would continue in his later work with Ark) and Khan's unique vocals.

After Breakup

Roy Khan went on to release several albums with the band Kamelot. Østby played guitar for several bands, most notably with (Ark). Arve Heimdal last played drums in 1999 and Ingar Amlien formed the death metal band Crest of Darkness, for which he has released 6 albums with the latest being released in 2013.

Reunion

Conception was reunited in 2005, playing the important American prog metal festival Prog Power USA 2005 on Friday, September 16 and Norwegian Scream Magazine's 15 Years & 100 Issues Festival on Saturday, October 1, bringing guitarist Tore Østby (Ark), singer Roy Khan (recently resigned lead singer of Kamelot) and the rest of the band back together. The project is still on hold, however, as most members are currently occupied with their own bands.

Last lineup

Former members