Biography:
Dan ‘Fodde’ Fondelius (vocals, guitars) and Tommy ‘Wilbur’ Eriksson (bass) started a band back in early 80´ s called STORMWARNING. In 1986, Christian ‘Chritte’ Linderson joined the band as the singer. Christer ‘Renfield’ Pettersson (drums) joined them in ´88 and changed the name: COUNT RAVEN were born!
In March ´89, COUNT RAVEN went into the studio to record their first demo. This demo was later on reviewed in the July/August issue of METAL FORCES, resulting in huge response from fans, fanzines and radio stations from all over the world. And that resulted along with a second demo called "Indugnus Famulus" in a deal with WHITEFLOWER RECORDS, a Swedish label, and later on a license agreement with HELLHOUND in Germany.
In May/June ´90, COUNT RAVEN recorded their debut album called "Storm Warning". The critics where overwhelmed when the album was released. E.g. they got 4 of 5 points in British KERRANG! and 10/10 in German ROCK HARD magazine!
The follow-up, “Destruction of the Void”, got 1992 also huge response from the critics, e.g. 7 out of 7 points in German METAL HAMMER! During the recording of "Destruction of the Void", Christian left the band to join SAINT VITUS. Instead of trying out a new singer, Dan went back to singing.
Now the band signed up for Hellhound and did "High on Infinity" in 1994, which was voted “album of the month” in ROCK HARD. In August/September 1995, the fourth effort, "Messiah of Confusion", was recorded, and finally released in February '96. After many good years and some cool gigs and tours around Europe, the band sadly split up in 1998.
5 years later, seemingly out of the blue, the guys reunited to appear some months later in 2004 for a 2-hour-headliner-gig at the German DOOM SHALL RISE Festival. After this was a very successful happening COUNT RAVEN wanted to do a tour with German doomsters MIRROR OF DECEPTION, but Dan was suffering some serious problems with his vocal chords…the band seemed to disappear again as quick as they returned. But hey, at the end of 2004 they signed a worldwide and exclusive deal with German label CYCLONE EMPIRE (e.g. TIMO RAUTIAINEN & TRIO NISKALAUKAUS), and played in 2005 some cool festivals (WACKEN, KEEP IT TRUE, BELGIAN DOOM NIGHT) as well as a short Finland-tour with their friends MIRROR OF DECEPTION.
Finally CYCLONE EMPIRE re-release on the 14th of October (“Storm Warning” and “Destruction Of The Void”) and on the 11th of November (“High On Infinity” and “Messiah Of Confusion”) all 4 albums as remasters along with bonus tracks, liner-notes and special booklets, as well as a completely new artwork for “Messiah Of Confusion”.
And as if this wouldn’t be enough, there will be a special boxset released in 2006, with many rare, unreleased and cool songs, clips and shows.
Last but not least: COUNT RAVEN are currently working on new material for their fifth album scheduled also for a 2006-release.
"Storm Warning" - Re-Release Cyclone Empire VÖ: 14.10.2005
Tracklisting: 1. Intro: Count Raven 03:08 2. Inam Naudemina 05:51 3. True Revelation 08:56 4. In The Name Of Rock ´N´Roll 04:25 5. Sometimes A Great Nation 06:06 6. Within The Garden Of Mirrors 06:58 7. A Devastating Age 08:40 8. How Can It Be 06:22 9. Social Warfare 07:18 + 2 Bonustracks: 10.High Beliefs* 05:05 11.Frightened Eyes Never Lie** 04:20 (* taken from “Demo – 1989) (** taken from “Indignus Famulus – Demo”) Total Playing Time: 66:09
"Destruction Of The Void" - Re-Release: Cyclone Empire VÖ: 14.10.2005
Tracklisting: 1. Until Death Do Us Part 07:46 2. Hippies Triumph 04:50 3. Destruction Of The Void 04:45 4. Let The Dead Bury The Dead 05:48 5. Northern Lights 03:51 6. Leaving The Warzone 06:59 7. Angel Of Death 07:11 8. The Final Journey 06:58 9. No Ones Hero 04:53 10.Europa 03:59 + 2 Bonustracks: 11.Point Of Youth* 04:28 12.Sworn To Fun* 04:54 (* taken from “Indignus Famulus – Demo”) Total Playing Time: 66:22
"High On Infinity" - Re-Release: Cyclone Empire VÖ: 11.11.2005
Tracklisting: 1. Jen 06:16 2. Children´s Holocaust 06:45 3. In Honour 04:39 4. The Madman From Waco 04:21 5. Masters Of All Evil 08:21 6. Ode To Rebecca 02:49 7. High On Infinity 04:54 8. An Ordinary Loser 05:56 9. Traitor 06:50 10.The Dance 01:44 11.The Coming 06:16 12.Lost World 04:12 13.Cosmos 04:00 + Bonustrack: Chrittes Triumph* 04:53 (* taken from “Destruction Of The Void” Chritte On Vocals) Total Playing Time: 66:09
"Messiah Of Confusion" - Re-Release: Cyclone Empire VÖ: 11.11.2005
Tracklisting: 1. Prediction 07:44 2. Shadow Box 05:00 3. The Loneliest One 05:59 4. Fallen Angels 04:22 5. Mountains Spirit 01:44 6. The Lie Of Life 07:05 7. P.S.I. Power 06:07 8. Shine 05:09 9. The Divided World 05:31 10.The Viking Sea 11:20 + Bonustrack: Regression* 10:44 (* Medley Of Black Sabbath Songs”) Total Playing Time: 70:45 |