Seven Thorns

Seven Thorns is a Danish power metal band started in 1998 by Lars (drums). In 2003 Lars was joined by composer/vocalist Mik Holm. It was an instant match. Both shared the same vision of a band playing Power Metal. They started writing music and the line-up was complete in late 2004, but it didn’t last long... The single 'Artificial Night' was released in the beginning of 2005. The single was nominated for a Danish Metal Award and the song 'Artificial Night' won the 4th unofficial European Heavy Metal Song Contest. Right after finishing the recording, Mik left the band due to a change in the musical direction coming from the new members. With Mik out of the band, Seven Thorns was again put on hold as Lars decided to continue with the other bandmembers. The project was called '7thorns' and has nothing to do with 'Seven Thorns'. Looking back Lars concludes that the similarity in names was a stupid move, but at the time they wanted to use the publicity already gained by the old band. As it became more and more obvious to Lars that both the people and the music in the project was wrong he closed it in 2007, joined forces once again with Mik and Seven Thorns was reborn. This time they agreed that nothing should come in the way for their common quest! In 2008 they were joined by guitar wizard Gabriel Tuxen. 2 songs were written and prepared to be recorded as the new single release. 6 weeks before the trio entered the studio Gabriel brought in fellow guitar equilibrist Christian B. Strøjer whom he knew from the guitar classes they both attended. At the same time Nicolaj Marker responded to an ad for the position as bass player. A functional line-up was now in place, and for the first time in 10 years it just felt right. The single 'Forest Majesty' was recorded in January 2009 in Media Sound Studios with Peter Brander, who also was in charge (together with Seven Thorns) of mixing and mastering. Mik wanted to focus on writing songs and suggested that a search for a new vocalist was to be initiated. Erik, who had recorded several albums with the band Platitude, who hadn’t been active for some time, was attracted by the opportunity of singing some serious power metal. Encouraged by the positive feedback from the “Forest Majesty” single they took the music to the fans and played the new material in front of a live audience, this included supporting hard-rock/metal legend Jorn. In the second quarter of 2009 Asger joined the band. Asgers keyboard playing added a new dimension to the music and he quickly adapted to the sound and style of Seven Thorns. The album was recorded in Media Sound Studios and mixed – also by Peter Brander (and Seven Thorns) before sending it to the legendary Tommy Hansen (Helloween, TNT, Pretty Maids…) for mastering. ’Liberty’, the first song on the album, features Olaf Lenk of At Vance playing a smashing guitar solo. The American label Nightmare Records signed a worldwide deal with the band and on November 23rd 2010 Return to the Past was released in America. In Europe the release date was January 14th 2011. A music video for ’Liberty’ was made to help promote the album. Reviewers all over the world praised the album, radio stations played the songs (and still do) and many fans bought the album. Seven Thorns had coverage in a lot of magazines, including the big metal magazines Metal Hammer and Rock Hard. After the release Seven Thorns signed a promotion deal with the acclaimed German promotion/management Rock’n’Growl and a booking deal with the well-known German agency REDLionmusic. Seven Thorns was asked to join singer Zak Stevens and Circle II Circle as support on their European tour in July/August 2011. After playing the wonderful German ’Winestock Festival’ on July 16th 2011 the band found them selves on their first European conquest. The succesfull tour was repeated with a bigger European tour in 2012 – this time as support for the classic American hard rock band Lillian Axe. Only 3 months before they found the new permanent singer – the 19 year old Gustav Blide from Sweden. Besides touring with American bands Seven Thorns also plays festivals around Europe - incl. Turock Open Air 2012 (Essen, Germany), Bremer Metal Festival 2011 (headliner), 2013 (co-headliner) (Bremen, Germany), Winestock Festival 2011, 2012 (headliner), 2013 (headliner) (Neustadt, Germany), Stay Awake Festival 2013 (Borås, Sweden); Polyjoint Festival 2013 (Lyngby, Denmark), Furnace of Rock Festival 2013 (headliner) (Copenhagen, Denmark), Börsencrash Festival 2013 (Wuppertal, Germany)... With the release of the second album ’II’ in 2013 the band is ready once again to conquer the European roads. And so the story continues

Kge, DK