Vanishing Point (band)
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This article relies on references to primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject, rather than references from independent authors and third-party publications. Please add citations from reliable sources. (February 2008) |
| Vanishing Point | |
|---|---|
 Silvio Massaro performing live in Sydney, 2005 |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Genres | Power metal Progressive metal |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels | (Germany) Dockyard 1 (Australia) Riot! |
| Associated acts | Eye Manic Opera Teargas Black Like Vengeance |
| Website | www.vanishing-point.com.au |
| Members | |
| Silvio Massaro Chris Porcianko Christian Nativo |
|
| Past members | |
| Joe Del Mastro Leonard Kopilas Jack Lukic Danny Olding Pep Sammartino |
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Vanishing Point are an Australian power/progressive metal band from Melbourne. The band incorporates symphonic elements into their sound through a prominent keyboard role in their music. The band has released four albums as of 2008.
[edit] History
The band formed in the early 1990's with the line-up of guitarist Tommy Vucur, drummer Jack Lukic and bassist Joe Del Mastro, from an earlier band called Eye. Vocalist Silvio Massaro and keyboard player Pep Sammartino Joined the band in the mid 90's, They changed the band name to Vanishing Point. Andrew Whitehead joined as a second guitarist. The band concentrated their efforts on songwriting and recording, the group's first album In Thought was recorded in 1996 and released in Europe by German label Angular Records in 1997. The following year it was issued in Australia by Melbourne label Metal Warriors. The reissue featured a bonus track, Inner Peace, which featured new Guitarist Chris Porcianko, who replaced Andrew Whitehead.
In 1999, the band supported Yngwie Malmsteen and American band Nevermore before Sammartino amicably left the band to pursue other avenues. He was replaced by Danny Olding. Soon afterward, Vanishing Point headed to Germany for the 2000 Wacken Open Air festival. Later that year the band's second album Tangled in Dream was released in Australia by Metal Warriors and internationally by Germany's LMP label. The following eighteen months was a busy period for the group. In late 2001, Vanishing Point returned to Europe for a tour with Gamma Ray and Sonata Arctica, during which Olding provided live keyboards for Gamma Ray. Returning to Australia, they toured the country with German band Edguy. Olding resigned from Vanishing Point at this time.
Vanishing Point worked on their next album throughout 2003 before making a rare live appearance at the annual Metal for the Brain festival in Canberra. Leonard Kopilas from Manic Opera joined the band in place of Olding as recording continued, but Vanishing Point was forced into an involuntary hiatus due to ongoing problems with Metal Warriors. However, in 2005 the band returned to live performance at Metal for the Brain in February and then a show with Nightwish on the Melbourne leg of their Australian tour. Embrace the Silence was released mid-year internationally by their new label, Germany's Dockyard 1 and in Australian by the Wollongong-based Riot! label. Late in the year, Joe Del Mastro announced his departure from Vanishing Point. After completing a final round of live shows with the band, he was replaced by Steve Cox from Melbourne Hard Rock band Teargas, and Thrash Metal band Black Like Vengeance.
During 2006, Vanishing Point supported Black Label Society and Gamma Ray on the Melbourne leg of their Australian tours. On 7 December Jack Lukic announced his departure due to family commitments and 22 days later Cox also left. He was replaced by Adrian Alimic, also of Manic Opera and Christian Nativo took the place of Jack Lukic (on drums). In May 2007, Vanishing Point supported DragonForce in Australia and New Zealand. The band's fourth album The Fourth Season was released on 24 August 2007 through Dockyard 1. In February 2008 Vanishing point supported Iron Maiden, performing a single show in Perth and two shows in Melbourne. Vanishing Point appeared alongside fellow Australian power metal band Black Majesty on tour with Helloween in February 2008. In July 2008 Vanishing Point supported Joe Satriani for his 2 Melbourne shows.
In 2010 co-founding member Tommy Vucur left the band due to musical differences. Adrian Alimic and Jake Lowe also departed the band in 2010. As of February 2011 a new album is in progress, and is being planned for a late 2011 release.
[edit] Discography
- Released: 1997, 1998
- Format: CD
- Label: Angular Records (Germany, world), Metal Warriors (Australia)
- Released: 2000
- Format: CD
- Label: LMP (Germany, world), Metal Warriors (Australia)
Embrace the Silence
- Released: 2005
- Format: CD
- Label: Dockyard 1 (Germany, world), Riot! (Australia)
The Fourth Season
- Released: 24 August 2007
- Format: CD
- Label: Dockyard 1 (Germany)
