Asgaardian Events proudly presents:
Imperial Age
(RU) - Symphonic Metal
& special guests
Serpentyne
Orpheum
This show was moved to The Black Heart from The Underworld Camden due to works being done in the venue. Original tickets remain valid, however the age restriction is now 18+. Anyone under the age will be issued a refund.
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IMPERIAL AGE - Anthem of Valour:
Founded in 2012 by singers/keyboardists Alexander "Aor" Osipov and Jane "Corn" Odintsova, today Imperial Age are the best known disciples of symphonic metal not only from their Russian motherland, but from the whole of Eastern Europe. Delivering a mixture of heavy metal, male and female opera and rock vocals, orchestral and choral sound with a strength unparalleled even by the mastodonts of the genre, the band gained international recognition after Christofer Johnsson, the godfather of symphonic metal and leader of Therion, noticed the Russian talents, signed them to his own label Adulruna and took on an immense European tour in 2016.
In 2016 it was announced that the band had started working on a new album and in 2017 it was revealed to be a metal opera under the name The Legacy of Atlantis. Due to the fact that an opera requires multiple singers, Aor and Jane have put aside the keyboards, becoming full-time vocalists. The album was recorded with Therion musicians: Nalle Pahlsson (bass, guitar, acoustic guitar), Thomas Vikstrom (vocals) and Christian Vidal (solo guitar) and with Sergey from Arkona on additional guitar, who also did the mixing and mastering of the record. Taras Yasenkov conducted the Moscow Conservatory Chamber Choir to record the biggest choral tracks in the band's history so far.
In July 2017 it was announced that Imperial Age would again join Therion in their new European tour. However, this time the tour would be of an extraordinary length even for Therion - 57 concerts in 25 countries - and Imperial Age would be the midact on all the shows. In December 2017, the new line-up was announced: Aor (Vocals), Jane Odintsova (vocals), Anna Kiara (vocals), Belf (bass), Vredes (guitar), Max Talion (drums).
The band toured all of Europe in February, March and April 2018, playing a total of 59 concerts over the span of 3 months - a huge tour for any metal band of any size. The only two European countries not visited were Norway and Austria. The tour was a tremendous success, both among the critics and the fans, and brought Imperial Age to a new level of international recognition.
Serpentyne (UK)
Serpentyne was created in London in 2010 by founder members Sand and Powell, inspired by a combination of early music, folk, Celtic, world and rock.
After the release of the album “Stella Splendens” in 2010, inspired by medieval music, the second album “Myths and Muses” was released in 2014, keeping the medieval theme but with a mix of rock and world elements. A third album “The Serpent’s Kiss” was released in 2016, featuring mythic & medieval themes as before, but heading towards a heavier rock and metal sound. This change of musical direction won the band their place as finalists in the Metal To The Masses, London contest, 2018.
Serpentyne has been playing extensively around the UK and the rest of Europe during the last 8 years.
The band has recently supported Tarja and Stratovarious on their major tour “A Nordic Symphony 18”, with 22 dates last October throughout Germany, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Poland.
Fronted by classically trained soprano singer Maggiebeth Sand, and backed by Vaughan Grandin on bagpipes, Lee Willmer on guitar, Nigel Middleton on bass, and John Haithwaite on drums. Serpentyne combine a unique mix of symphonic and folk metal styles, with themed songs about historical figures and legends, such as Boudicca, The Valkyries, Viking Blood, Helen Of Troy, Jeanne d’ Arc, and The Dark Queen, amongst many others.
Their inspiration come from medieval music, symphonic metal, Tarja, Nightwish, Within Temptation, and from Folk Metal, Eluveitie, Corvus Corax, Saltatio Mortis and from classical and cinematic music.
What the media have said about Serpentyne’s album “The Serpent’s Kiss” (2016:)
“Lavishly orchestrated cinematic majesty.” (Progression, USA.)
“Through this fusion of medieval sounds with biting electric guitars and pounding drums Serpentyne develops further. The serpent has arisen!:
Claudia Zinn-Zinnenburg, Orkus magazine, Germany, January 2017.
Orpheum (UK)
Orpheum; named after the old theatrical vaudevillian circuit, were formed in 2010, based in London UK. Fronted by the mesmerising Erin Johnson, melodic guitar of Finlay Thomson and the thunderous drums of Andy Thomson, they have combined gothic, progressive and symphonic metal to create their dramatic music.