ADAGIO

Adagio BiographyIn 1997, one year after he had been graduated from the famous music school CMCN, Stephan Forté composed his first instrumental demo, “Visions”, which is considered to be the starting point of the Adagio adventure. This demo, being very clearly Neoclassical-oriented, quickly helped Stephan’s name to be noticed among the guitaristic community and allowed him to sign his first endorsement deals with Godin (guitars) and Rocktron (effects). In June 1998, he opened for Yngwie Malmsteen and he was contacted by producer Chris Tsangarides (Ozzy Osbourne, Judas priest, Gary Moore, etc.) who wished to work with him. The same year he finally started a showcase tour for Rocktron and his new sponsor, Lag Guitars. In 1999, Olivier Garnier, former artistic director at CNR Music (Angra, Symphony X, etc.), asked Stephan to compose some new material with vocals. Stunned by the virtuosity of the guitar-keyboards interplay, Garnier sent Stephan to Philadeplhia, PA (USA) to record and eventually form a band with Ukranian keyboard player Vitalij Kuprij, who was then recording for the well-known Shrapnel Records label (Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, etc.) The two musicians Spent two weeks working together, but gradually became aware of their different views on music. Finally, they decided to put an end to their collaboration after they had recorded a four-track demo. Stephan came back to France to finish his compositions and then recruited Dirk Bruinenberg (drummer from Elegy), Franck Hermany (bassist with Cyrill Archard), David Readman (singer in Pink Cream 69) and Rochard Andersson (Keyboardist from Majestic) to record the first Adagio album, with producer Dennis Ward (Angra). “Sanctus Ignis” was released on March 2001 and received great success in Japan and France, where it was voted album of the month in the “Club Dial”. While Stephan was giving a masterclass, he met young keyboardist Kevin Codfert, who wanted the guitarist to listen to his demo. Very impressed by the talent displayed, Stephan finally asked Kevin to be a permanet member of the band. Afterwards, Stephan entered a dark and difficult period of time which would influence his work and give birth to the “Underworld” album. Because of the strong orchestral and choral aspect of the music, it was obvious for Stephan that he would record with a massive choir ensemble. After three months of intense rehearsals, the ‘Ensemble Vocal de Lyon” conducted by Gary Cornut, was recorded by Dennis Ward at the splendid “Temple des Terreaux”, in Lyon. The five musicians worked very hard as the parts were quite complex and “Uunderworld” was finally released in September 2003 in Europe and Japan, through Avalon/Marquee. In order to have a more stable and balanced personal life, Dirk chose to leave the group and stop playing music for a while. Franck then, asked Eric Lebailly, an awesome drummer from Marseille with whom he had played with in numerous occasions to audition for the band. From the start, the guys knew he was the drummer they needed and after a few rehearsals, Eric officially joined Adagio and played in Montereau (near Paris), on November, 8th, 2003, for Adagio’s first ever concert. Many fans were present at Adagio’s first tour in February 2004. The Paris and Strasbourg concerts were recorded and became Adagio’s first live album entitled “A Band in the Upperworld – Live”. But as release was imminent in Japan, conflicts between Adagio and David Readman’s management increased and the group had to decide parting ways with the singer during the Summer of 2004. Adagio had to play Atlanta, USA at the great Prog Power V festival, in September, so it was urgent that they found a replacement. The group made an announcement on the internet and demos were sent from all over the world by a lot of singers. The group finally chose a Brazilian singer, Gus Monsanto, aftre they heard his splendid interpretation of “Chosen”. Gus arrived in France August, 29th, 2004 to start rehearsals and made his debut concert with Adagio in Toulouse, for a non-profit concert against child abuse. A few days later, while Yvan was raging in Florida, the five musicians flew to the US, where they gave a splendid concert in fromt of over 2,000 in a sold-out venue, with great artrists such as Edguy. Savatage and Rob Rock. The “Underworld Tour” finally ended, after concerts in countries such as Holland, Spain and Switzerland. The band spends 2005 in writing and recording mode and finally, as the year comes to an end, “DOMINATE” is released in Japan. Even more powerful and darker than before, Adagio hopes to “DOMINATE” the meatl scence!!!