Benedictum

Benedictum is an American heavy metal band formed in 2005 in San Diego, California that now resides in Phoenix, Arizona. Their current line-up consists of vocalist Veronica Freeman, guitarist Pete Wells, bassist Aric Avina, and drummer Rikard Stjernquist. Since their formation the band released three studio albums, debuting with Uncreation in 2006, followed by Seasons of Tragedy in 2008, both through Madrid, Spain-based label Locomotive Music, before signing with Italian label Frontiers Records for their third album, Dominion, issued in 2011.

Benedictum
Also known asBound
OriginSan Diego, California,
United States
GenresHeavy metal, power metal
Years active2005–present
LabelsFrontiers, Locomotive Music
Websitewww.benedictum.net
MembersVeronica Freeman
Pete Wells
Rikard Stjernquist
Aric Avina
Past membersBlackie Sanchez
Jesse Wright
Chris Morgan
Paul Courtois
Chris Shrum
Tony Diaz
Mikey Pannone

Their fourth album Obey was released on Frontiers Records in Europe on November 29, 2013 and in the U.S. on December 3, 2013.

History

Band formation

Benedictum was formed originally as Bound by vocalist Veronica Freeman and guitarist Pete Wells in San Diego, California in 2005.[1] The two founding members had been in the band known as Malady for over ten years.[2] Freeman and Wells recruited drummer Blackie Sanchez and keyboardist Chris Morgan,[3] whom Freeman had played with in the Dio tribute band Evilution.[4] Freeman's acquaintance with Dio's guitarist Craig Goldy, brought the band to meet the former Dio and Dokken bass player Jeff Pilson, who produced their first three-track demo and contributed playing bass guitar.[3] In late 2005, they signed a record deal with the Spanish label Locomotive Records.[5]

History

After signing with Locomotive Records, Benedictum entered in the studio to record their debut album with production by Jeff Pilson and mixing by Pilson and former Warlock member Tommy Henriksen.[6] The band recorded eleven songs including the covers of Black Sabbath′s songs "Heaven and Hell" and "The Mob Rules", songs the group members had played for years in tribute bands.[3] Both the former Rainbow and Dio member Jimmy Bain and Craig Goldy played as guests on the album. Uncreation was initially due to be released on October 17, 2005, but was delayed to January 20, 2006, according with statement of vocalist Veronica Freeman:

While we were all really looking forward to having Uncreation in stores this year rather than next this move is actually better are all parties involved. This is our inaugural release, which makes it all the more important that things are set up properly. Pushing the album back to January gave us a chance to tweak a few things and is giving the staff at Locomotive more time to put everything in motion. As they say, everything happens for a reason, so it's all good.[7]

Garnering strong reviews for Uncreation, including a "bands to watch in 2006" pick by the British magazine Classic Rock, the band toured Europe for the first time in the summer of that same year, kicking things off at Italy's massive Gods of Metal festival near Milan.[4] Benedictum also landed a slot on the Winter 2006 Doro European tour.

Their 2008 sophomore release, Seasons of Tragedy, saw the group continue their close working relationship with mentor/producer Jeff Pilson who brought in former Dokken bandmate George Lynch to contribute guest guitar solos on "Bare Bones" and a cover of the Accept classic "Balls to the Wall". Long-time friend, guitarist Craig Goldy, also made an appearance on the album. The band supported the album in Europe with several festival shows and completed a fall tour with NWOBHM veterans Girlschool.

With regard to Seasons of Tragedy, Allmusic reviewer Stewart Mason stated that "Singer Veronica Freeman has a powerful, hectoring voice, similar at times to Grace Slick's potent bellow from the Jefferson Starship days, and keyboardist Chris Morgan prefers to add subtle coloration and powerful drone parts rather than lame Keith Emerson-style twiddling."[8]

Prior to commencing work on their third album, Dominion, the band underwent significant line-up changes with only core members Veronica Freeman and Pete Wells remaining. Benedictum would also leave their original record company, Locomotive Music, and sign a new deal with Frontiers Records.[9] Due to Jeff Pilson's commitments with Foreigner, main producing duties for the new album were handled by Grammy Award winning engineer/producer, Ryan Greene, whose credits include Megadeth and NOFX. Pilson and Craig Goldy would make guest appearances on the album as did legendary bassist Rudy Sarzo on the song "Bang". Continuing the tradition of covering at least one classic track on each album, the band cut "Overture" / "The Temples of Syrinx" / "Grand Finale" off of 2112 by Rush, which is featured as a bonus track.

New members Rikard Stjernquist (ex-Jag Panzer) on drums and Aric Avina on bass were recruited in 2012 to record their latest album Obey, released in November 2013.[10]

Discography

Studio albums

Members

Current members

Former members
  • Blackie Sanchez – drums
  • Jesse Wright - bass
  • Chris Morgan - keyboards
  • Paul Courtois - drums
  • Chris Shrum – bass
  • Tony Diaz - keyboards
  • Mikey Pannone - drums

Timeline

Notes and references
  1. Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Benedictum: MusicMight Biography". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  2. Sharpe-Young, Garry (2009). "Malady". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  3. "Benedictum - Info". Locomotive Records. Archived from the original on 19 June 2007. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  4. Varga, George (7 May 2006). "Heavy-metal thunder, from a new source". U-T San Diego. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  5. "Benedictum Sign with Locomotive Records". Blabbermouth.net. 2005-07-09. Archived from the original on 2006-04-28. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
  6. "Benedictum Complete Work on Debut Album". blabbermouth.net. 2005-08-15. Archived from the original on 2005-10-29. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
  7. "Benedictum: Debut Album Due in January". blabbermouth.net. 2005-10-13. Archived from the original on 2013-02-02. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
  8. Mason, Stewart. "Uncreation - Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
  9. "BENEDICTUM Signs With FRONTIERS RECORDS". Blabbermouth.net. 6 July 2010. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  10. "BENEDICTUM To Release 'Obey' In November". Blabbermouth.net. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
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