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©by Shylock Photography
Except me live @ Hüweg, Essen
Harasai is a young Melodic Death Metal Band from Essen in the Ruhr District.
The band was founded by the two brothers Nico (drums) and Yannick (guitar) as well as singer Martin Wittsieker in spring 2006. Soon after Sebastian Amstein, who was active in the Band Purity together with Martin, joined in as 2nd guitarist.
With this line-up the first songs were written and it was rehearsed assiduously for over half a year, until the first line-up change occured.
Martin left the band and was replaced by Stefan Becker, brother of Nico and Yannick.
Shortly after this a qualified bassist was found with David Joris. With this line-up the first 5-song demo "My Lake of Terror" was recorded, which was available for free download.
In April 2007 the band played their first concert together with two other bands from Essen.
The following months the band played live nearly every weekend and gained good reputation in the local scene.
Harasai now had the chance to play concerts with famous bands like Butterfly Coma, The Very End, In Blackest Velvet, Absence, Path Of Golconda and many more.
After their last concert in 2007 Sebastian left the band at his own request. However this did not affect the bands motivation. They went to the private studio of Arno Kröger (Drummer of the band Sunset) to record the demo "Begotten", which will be available for free download soon.
After finishing the recordings Harasai played more gigs, among other things at the Rocktage Ost, a popular contest for young musicians in Essen. Harasai made it to the finals and was enthusiastically accepted by the crowd.
Juror Markus "Bony" Hoff (singer of the band Japanische Kampfhörspiele) commented on Harasais' victory in the semi-finals : "Three bands were good, one of them very good!"
Shortly after Stefan decided to leave the band.
He was replaced by his predecessor Martin.
With this new line-up the band is currently recording a new promo cd with Sebastian Weber (guitarist of Risoid System), to present Harasai to labels and promotors.
In July 2008 the band finally got complete with new guitarist Kevin Duisdicker (ex-VidocQ).
To be continued...
Die WAZ Ãœber Harasai (German):
Vom Hocker reißen konnten sie [BandX] damit allerdings nicht.
Das taten dann die Gewinner des Abends, die fünf Jungmusiker von "Harasai".
Im Durschnitt sind sie auch erst 16,8 Jahre alt, klingen aber mindestens wie 26,8.
Kompakt, spielerisch auf den Punkt, vielseitig und immer auf dem Weg nach vorn: Ihre rund 30 Minuten Spielzeit hätten sie nicht gebraucht.
Schon nach dem ersten Stück war klar, dass die drei Brüder Becker und zwei Freunde spielerisch in einer anderen Liga unterwegs sind.
"Drei Bands waren gut, eine sehr gut", brachte Juror Markus "Bony" Hoff den Abend auf den Punkt.
