Crystallion

History

Crystallion was founded in 2003 by bassist Stefan Gimpl and drummer Martin Herzinger to combine their musical passion with their interest in history.

Musicwise the band’s grandeur metal is influenced by bands like Rhapsody of Fire, Stratovarius, Helloween and Sonata Arctica. Powerful riffs and hook-lines team up with finely crafted songwriting and brilliant melodies, but their most significant mark is singer Thomas Strübler’s multi-octave voice which is dividing the band from their likes.

The first album A Dark Enchanted Crystal Night came out in 2006 and was well received by fans and media. Germany’s Rock Hard gave 8/10 points and quoted: “From songs to production to the cover everything fits here. A very well done debut for a young and promising band!”.

In May 2008 their second album "Hattin" - recorded at Helion Media Studios in Munich - was released on Dockyard 1 and the reception by fans and media was enthusiastic again. After a small release tour for the album in June 2008 and a number of gigs throughout Germany (and neighbouring Austria) guitarist Flo decided to leave the band by the end of what was to become the most successful year of the band's career until then. Since then the band has played with one guitar only, leaving more room for the creativity of keyboardist Manuel Schallinger and guitarist Patrick Juhasz.

On their third album "Hundred Days" Crystallion refines their style by adding a bit more Hard-Rock-oriented songwriting to their doublebass dominated melodic speed metal, complementing the band’s original trademarks with a slightly rougher edge. Concept-wise, the album’s focus lies on the hundred days of Napoleon Bonaparte’s return from his first exile on the island of Elba. Back in power, he once more tries to conquer large parts of Europe until he is finally beaten in the Battle of Waterloo and sent into exile to the remote island of St. Helena in the Atlantic Ocean. "Hundred Days" was released in November 2009.

On 19 March 2012 the band announced on their official page that Manuel Schallinger has left "for professional reasons" and they will continue without keyboards for now.

Now the band is working on new material.

Late 2016 the Band announced the new album title on their Facebook page:

"At the moment we´re still in the writing and arranging process of about 10 new songs. We are working (again) on a concept album that covers some persons and events of the Bavarian history. The album title is "Bavarian Cutome Made". We cannot wait entering the studio and recording the best heavy stuff we´ve written for years...!"

The new album is expected in summer 2017.

Current

Former

Discography