Riddare av Koden
| Riddare Av Koden | |
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Riddare Av Koden |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Secunda, Mpumalanga, South Africa |
| Genres | Melodic Death Metal/Epic |
| Years active | 2006 - Present |
| Labels | Independent |
| Website | www.rakofficial.com |
| Members | Heimdall Av Køden Pepi Petkov Steven De Pina The Bishop Thomas Hughes |
| Past members | Daniel Wilson Cameron Zuccarelli Nathan Wilson Kevin Webber Nikola Hellas Bruni |
Riddare Av Koden is a South African Melodic Metal/Epic band from Secunda, formed in October 2006 by brothers Nathan and Daniel Wilson. Formerly known as Elegy, the band had to change its name in November 2009 due to breach of copyright law, by Universal Records and were threatened with legal action if the name was not changed. They then became known as Riddare av Koden,[1][2][3] when translated from Swedish means "Knights of the Code", and currently perform and release under that name.
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Musical characteristics [edit]
Riddare av Koden is musically influenced by a range of Bands and Artists over many different genres, from Hans Zimmer to Children of Bodom, Equilibrium, and even Lady Gaga. Their music has often been described as hard-hitting guitar driven Melodic Death Metal with Power Metal and Folk Metal characteristics, incorporating Epic sounding material reminiscent of power classical film scores.
With the adoption of Keyboards in 2010 and the noticeable orchestral introductions of certain tracks with occasional Classical and Folk instruments during live performances, the band has been described as having Neoclassical elements included in their music and more of a Folk Music feel too.
Conceptually, the band is influenced by Norse mythology, Alternative History, Secret Societies, Mystery Schools, Chaos Magick , Catharism,and various other Esoteric elements.
Band History [edit]
The Elegy Era (October 2006 - November 2009) [edit]
Elegy was formed in October 2006, by brothers Nathan and Daniel Wilson, who were 17 and 23 at the time. The two brothers began learning and mastering their instruments, and then approached Shay Av Køden to assume lead guitar duties, having been friends for years and sharing a passion in Heavy Metal, the three then began writing songs and looking for a vocalist and bassist. Travis Seager then joined the band as vocalist, having been a close friend of Nathan and Daniel and the four began practising and auditioning various musicians for the final position needed to complete the band, a bassist. Kevin Webber, who knew Shay through playing together in previous bands, was asked to join the band temporarily to complete the line-up for their first gig alongside Deity's Muse, Alchemy, and The Frail.
Kevin Webber became a permanent member in the band, and strong friendships began forming between the members of Elegy. After their first gig, the band began work on a 3-track self-titled EP to gain entry into the local Metal scene. During this period, Travis Seager decided to part ways with the band to pursue his career as an artist and the band then began auditioning various vocalists. Having found none, decided that they would have to do it themselves. Shay then assumed lead vocal duties and Elegy went into studio for the first time, to record their debut EP.
In November 2009 the band received a letter from their label, Electromode, stating that they were illegally using the Elegy name which is registered to the Dutch Power Metal band of the same name. Immediate action had to be taken and thus R.a.K. was born.
Riddare av Koden Era (November 2009 to Present) [edit]
Elegy began searching for new names, opening up the debate to fans worldwide. Within a week of receiving the change notice they announced that their new name was to be "Riddare av Koden". The name change caused much controversy between fans and the public,[4] and was announced officially on 16 November 2009.
May 2010 Riddare av Koden began working with Multi-instrumentalist and Composer Steven de Pina and, in September 2010 he was officially welcomed into the band as Keyboardist and Folk instrumentalist.[5][6]
Riddare av Koden was the official support act for the Ensiferum South African tour of October 2010.[5][7][8][9][10][11]
In February 2011 Shay Av Køden announced on his Facebook page that he had resigned as Frontman and Guitarist of the band for personal reasons.[12][13] Even though the note stated his resignation in a conclusive manner, this was not an official resignation according to the band and Shay has since retained his role as Frontman and Guitarist of Riddare av Koden however in April 2011, Daniel Wilson (one of the two founding members) announced his departure from the band.[14] In October 2011, it was officially announced via Facebook and Twitter that Cameron Zuccarelli (ex-Emperium, ex-Necromanteion) would be taking the drummer’s throne.
Riddare av Koden in 2011 took a break from constant live performance and only played exclusive shows and festivals throughout the year, some of which included Thornfest 2011, Bloemfontein's Peter Fest, and their very first International performance in Gaborone, Botswana.[15]
In 2012 it was announced that both Steven de Pina and Cameron Zuccarelli were parting ways with Riddare av Koden due to personal reasons. 2012 didn't see performance activity from the band as the members of Riddare av Koden were on a Sabbatical/Hiatus. Later that year, Nathan Wilson and Kevin Webber also announced their departure from the band in order to pursue their professional careers in Software Development and IT. The original members of the band still remain close friends.
Heimdall Av Koden [edit]
During this time, Shay Av Koden had been composing new material for the band, and once the songs were complete, he began looking for musicians to continue the legacy of Riddare. Due to the complexity of the material, he realized he would need to find members from heavily experienced backgrounds.
Thomas Hughes [edit]
He then adopted the stage name Heimdall Av Koden and approached Thomas Hughes to play drums for Riddare. Thomas came from a technical death metal background, having toured with All Forlorn & Riddare during the Ensiferum Shows, as well as being the drummer for Ska Punk Legends - Fuzigish,and Bagpipe/Metal band Haggis and Bong.
The hybrid of Punk/Death/Folk Metal elements were exactly what was needed to fit the bill for Riddare's new style of music.
Pepi Petkov [edit]
Thomas then suggested that they ask Pepi Petkov to assume second guitar/vocal duties along with Heimdall. Pepi came from Autumn Sun, a Melodic Death Metal band, having toured with the likes of Kreator, Cradle of Filth and other big names. Pepi was about to leave for the UK a week after he was contacted, but decided to stay after he had met with Heimdall and heard the new material and vision for the future.
Steven De Pina [edit]
Steven De Pina had been working on his own material along with new Riddare material for the debut album in the time the band was on hiatus. He entered the studio in 2011 along with Heimdall in order to record experimental compositions he had been writing involving numerous folk instruments from different cultures, as well as Pop/Extreme Metal covers.
In late 2012, Steven De Pina returned to compose and play for Riddare.
The Bishop [edit]
Heimdall and Pepi then began auditioning various bassists in order to complete the lineup. They again approached William Bishop, who also played with Thomas in Fuzigish, and who had come from one of the biggest Metal bands in South Africa - Architecture of Aggression.
Heimdall had approached William a year before, but he had declined due to his involvement in other projects.
Riddare then welcomed William into the band, under the stage name "The Bishop."
The All-Star lineup complete, the band began making preparations for their return.
Norse Mythology [edit]
On the 23rd May, 2013, Riddare Av Koden debuted "Mjolnir", "The Æsir", and "The Battle Ov Bifrost Bridge", at Rockabilly's in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Members [edit]
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Discography [edit]
Albums [edit]
- A Voice Will Call (2009) [16][17] Rock Finder Magazine ReviewRateyourmusic.com Review
- TBA (2013)
EPs [edit]
- Elegy (2007)
References [edit]
- ^ "Riddare Av Koden Official Page". Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ "Riddare Av Koden Official Facebook Page". Retrieved 9 March 2009.
- ^ "Riddare Av Koden Official Myspace Page". Retrieved 9 March 2009.
- ^ Music Judge. "Riddare Av Koden. Why hate?". Retrieved 20 November 2009.
- ^ a b Metal4Africa. "Riddare av Koden. Steven and the Finns". Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ^ LookLocal. "A day out with local metal heroes". Retrieved 11 October 2010.
- ^ Looklocal. "Finnish metal coming to SA". Retrieved 5 October 2010.
- ^ Looklocal. "Ensiferum rage on stage". Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ "Ensiferum Official Page". Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ www.metality.net. "Riddare Av Koden to support Ensiferum". Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ Metalunderground.com. "Ensiferum Announces South African Tour Dates". Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ LookLocal. "Riddare av Koden might be coming to an end". Retrieved 22 February 2011.
- ^ Metal4Africa. "Riddare av Koden. Main Man calls it quits". Retrieved 24 February 2011.
- ^ Metal4Africa. "Riddare Av Koden looking for a new drummer". Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ Looklocal. "Bromhof-based band, Riddare av Koden, heading to Thornfest.". Retrieved 2 February 2011.
- ^ RockFinder Magazine. "A Voice Will Call Review". Retrieved 9 March 2009.
- ^ Rateyourmusic. "A Voice Will Call Review". Retrieved 4 June 2011.
