Sebastien is a Czech

power metal Power metal is a subgenre of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional heavy metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. Generally, power metal is characterized by a faster, lighter, and more uplifting sound, in contra ...

band from

Pardubice Pardubice (; german: Pardubitz) is a city in the Czech Republic. It has about 89,000 inhabitants. It is the capital city of the Pardubice Region and lies on the Elbe River. The historic centre is well preserved and is protected as an urban monume ...

and Brno. The band was formed by Jiří "George" Rain in 2008.

Biography

Sebastien's origins date back to February 1999 and the band's first real line-up appears under the name Calypso in December 1999. Two years later, they changed their name to Navar and recorded their first studio album, titled ''Dark''. This was followed by a string of concerts, the recording of the single "Shine of Light", and finally the release of their second album, ''Commotion''. In the summer of 2004, the band returned to the studio again to record the EP ''Proti všem'' (Against all). In April 2006, they self-released a new album, titled ''1621''. In 2008, two members left the group. The core of the band - the Rain brothers and Andy Mons - invited new members. The band was then renamed Sebastien. In November 2009, Sebastien travelled to Grapow Studios in Slovakia to record their long-awaited album '' Tears of White Roses''. The songs were originally written in Czech by George Rain, and later rewritten in English by poet Jan Petričko. The music was written and arranged by George Rain and Andy Mons, and the album was produced by

Roland Grapow Roland Grapow (born 30 August 1959 in Hamburg) is a German professional guitarist and music producer. Grapow is best known for his time in the power metal band Helloween, with which he played for 12 years after replacing founding member Kai Han ...

. The album was released in November 2010 via Escape Music and featured several guest musicians. Sebastien went on their first real tour (in the Czech Republic and Slovakia) in the fall of 2011. Following this, they appeared on the main "Ronnie James Dio Stage" of the Masters of Rock festival in July 2012 with three notable guest artists on stage:

, Apollo Papathanasio (

Spiritual Beggars Spiritual Beggars is a stoner metal band from Halmstad, Sweden, formed by Michael Amott, who is known from Arch Enemy, Carcass and Carnage. The band is heavily influenced by 1970s hard rock and incorporates elements of psychedelia into its ...

), and Katie Joanne (Siren's Cry). As of 2012, keyboardist Victor Mazanek has left the band. He has been replaced by Pavel Dvořák of Warhawk. In 2012, Radek Rain also resigned and was replaced by Lukáš Říha. In 2014, the band played their next big gig at the Masters of Rock’s main stage – this time with Tony Martin (ex-

Black Sabbath Black Sabbath were an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. They are often cited as pioneers of heavy metal music. The band helped de ...

) as a special guest. In November 2014, Sebastien entered Grapow Studios again to finish the mix on their second album, titled '' Dark Chambers of Déjà Vu''. The album was released on 25 September 2015, almost five years since their previous record, on the label Pride & Joy Music. The band's third album, ''Act of Creation'', was released on 23 February 2018.

Band members

* Jiří Rain -

lead vocals The lead vocalist in popular music is typically the member of a group or band whose voice is the most prominent melody in a performance where multiple voices may be heard. The lead singer sets their voice against the accompaniment parts of th ...

guitar The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected string ...

(1999−present) * Andy Mons -

, backing vocals (2003−present) *

Petri Kallio Petri is a surname derived from Latin Petrus, and may refer to: Surname * Adam Petri, Renaissance printer who founded a Basel publishing house * Alexandra Petri, humor columnist for ''The Washington Post'', daughter of Tom * Carl Adam Petri, w ...

bass Bass or Basses may refer to: Fish * Bass (fish), various saltwater and freshwater species Music * Bass (sound), describing low-frequency sound or one of several instruments in the bass range: ** Bass (instrument), including: ** Acoustic bass gu ...

, backing vocals (2010−present) *Pavel Dvořák - keyboards (2012−present) *Lukáš Říha -

drums A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair of matching drumsticks ...

(2013−present)

Former members

*Peter Forge - bass (2008−2010) *Rob Vrsansky - keyboards (2008−2010) *Victor Mazanek - keyboards, backing vocals (2010-2012) *Radek Rain - drums (2003-2012)

Guest musicians

Amanda Somerville Amanda Somerville (born March 7, 1979) is an American singer-songwriter and vocal coach who resides in Wolfsburg, Germany. She is known primarily for her work with many European symphonic metal bands. Biography Personal life Somerville was ...

− vocals on "Femme Fatale" and "Black Rose - part II" ('' Tears of White Roses'') * Apollo Papathanasio − vocals on "Silver Water" ('' Tears of White Roses''), live appearance with Sebastien at Masters of Rock 2012 (vocals) *

Doogie White Douglas "Doogie" White (born 7 March 1960) is a Scottish rock vocalist who currently sings for La Paz and Alcatrazz. He has also notably sung for Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force, Praying Mantis and Tank. Early li ...

− vocals on "Black Rose - part I" ('' Tears of White Roses'') *

Fabio Lione Fabio Tordiglione (born 9 October 1973), known professionally as Fabio Lione, is an Italian singer and lyricist who has worked with many bands in the metal genre. He was known for being the singer of Italian power metal band Rhapsody of Fire fo ...

− vocals on "Dorian" and "Fields of Chlum (1866 A.D.)" ('' Tears of White Roses'') *

Mike DiMeo Mike DiMeo (born November 29, 1968, in New York City) is an American hard rock/ heavy metal vocalist, best known for his work in the band Riot, which he left in late 2006. He recorded six studio albums and one live album with the group before depa ...

− vocals on "Voices in Your Heart" and "Tears of White Roses" ('' Tears of White Roses'') *

− solo guitar on "Voices in Your Heart", vocals on "Dorian" and "Phoenix Rising" ('' Tears of White Roses''), live appearance with Sebastien at Masters of Rock 2012 and 2014 (vocals only) *Tore Moren − solo guitar on "Museé Du Satan Rouge" ('' Tears of White Roses'') * Katie Joanne − live appearance with Sebastien at Masters of Rock 2012 (vocals) * Tony Martin − live appearance with Sebastien at Masters of Rock 2014 (vocals) * Ailyn Giménez − vocals on "Last Dance at Rosslyn Chapel" ('' Dark Chambers of Déjà Vu'') * Martin "Marthus" Skaroupka - drums ('' Dark Chambers of Déjà Vu'')

Discography

As Navar * ''Dark'' (LP - 2001) * ''Commotion'' (LP) * ''Proti všem'' (EP - 2004) * ''1621'' (LP - 2006)

Studio albums

*'' Tears of White Roses'' (2010) *'' Dark Chambers of Déjà Vu'' (2015) *'' Act of Creation'' (2018) *''

Integrity Integrity is the practice of being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values. In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one's actions. In ...

'' (2020)

EP's

*''Závidím'' (2008)

References

External links

* * {{Authority control Power metal musical groups Musical groups established in 2008 Czech heavy metal musical groups