Haggard () is a German symphonic metal band founded in 1989 that combines classical music and early music with metal.
History Haggard started in 1989 as a death metal band. After their 1992 demo, Introduction, they switched to a style featuring symphonic melodies and classical instruments with folk themes. The 1997 album And Thou Shalt Trust... the Seer was their breakthrough. After their second, Nostradamus-based album, Awaking the Centuries, they toured through Mexico twice.
Before the release of Awaking the Centuries, the group had its highest number of musicians at 21. Singer and guitarist Asis Nasseri writes all their songs.
In 2004, they released their third album, Eppur Si Muove, about the life of Italian scholar Galileo Galilei, arrested for heresy for supporting Copernicus' claim that the Earth revolved around the Sun. Metal Hammer elected the album the 23rd best symphonic metal album in 2021.
The fourth album, Tales of Ithiria, was released in 2008 and is based on a fantasy story.
Since 2008, Italian bassist Giacomo Astorri has collaborated with Haggard as a stable member. Besides Haggard, Astorri has played in various metal bands, including The Dogma, Infernal Angels (guitar), ZAP (bass), and Italian doom metal band Stryx. Astorri is a professional concert and event photographer.
In 2010, the band played its first concert with a symphonic orchestra. Haggard performed with the philharmonic orchestra of Plovdiv in Plovdiv on 19 April 2010.
They announced the album Grimm for the end of 2012 but postponed it indefinitely. The band has been inactive since, apart from occasional concerts.
Members Current members Asis Nasseri – vocals, guitar (1991–present) Giacomo Astorri – bass Janika Groß – soprano Frank Schumacher – tenor vocals Claudio Quarta – guitar Aline Deinert – violin Ivica Kramheller – double bass Lisa Hellmich – viola Anne Eberlein – viola Cosmin Nechita – violin Johannes Schleiermacher – violoncello (cello) Florinda Hoffmann – violoncello (cello) Hans Wolf – piano, keyboards, organ, harpsichord Ingrid Nietzer – piano, keyboards Licia Missori – piano, keyboards Maurizio Guolo – drums, percussion (2012–present) Stefana Sabau – oboe Catalina Popa – flute Veronika Kramheller – soprano Michel Schumm – drums, percussion Michel Stapf – violin
Past members
Florian Bartl – oboe, English horn Judith Marschall – violin Fiffi Fuhrmann – tenor vocals, bass Dorothea Zelinsky – violin Mark Pendry – clarinet Sasema – vocals Gaby Koss – soprano vocals Robert von Greding – clarinet Christoph von Zastrow – flute Danny Klupp – guitar Kathrin Pechlof – harp Karin Bodemüller – vocals Florian Schnellinger – percussion Andi Nad – bass Robin Fischer – bass Andi Hemberger – vocals Kathrin Hertz – cello Andreas Peschke – flute Manuela Kraller – soprano vocals Susanne Ehlers – soprano vocals Veronika Kramheller – soprano vocals Michael Stapf – violin Andreas Fuchs – horn, percussion Linda Antonetti – oboe Steffi Hertz – viola Patrizia Krug – cello Luz Marsen – drum Michael Schumm – classical percussion, drum – violin
In addition to the 16 band members, more than 10 guest artists and musicians were involved in the making of the album Eppur si muove.
Discography
Studio albums Year Title Peak positionsGERSWI1997And Thou Shalt Trust... the Seer——2000Awaking the Centuries64—2004Eppur si muove47—2008Tales of Ithiria3789
Demos Introduction (1992) Progressive (1994) Once... Upon a December's Dawn (1995)
Live albums Awaking the Gods: Live in Mexico (2001)
DVDs and videos In a Pale Moon's Shadow (1998) Awaking the Gods: Live in Mexico (DVD/VHS) (2001)
References
External links