ASPIRE was created in November 2004 by guitarist Al Candello and vocalist Ryan Metzger. Al has gained some reputation with the instrumental album Shades And Shadows which has climbed to the high charts of then most popular download site MP3.com. While it was the first band project for Ryan, he had already established himself as a skilled theater actor and had extensive vocal training.
The idea was to combine pure Power Metal, with its heavy riffing and thunderous drumming with symphonic music. From the first days ASPIRE was a recording band, so, in just a few months, the bands first official release, EP All Ahead saw the light.
Despite of (or, maybe, because of) its very unusual sound, All Ahead was very well received by the audience and fellow musicians. By combining thunderous drums and aggressive guitar sound of Power Metal with pure melody of symphony orchestra and classical opera tenor, ASPIRE creates its own world from the first chord youll hear. The title track from the EP was selected for Promo CD of the prestigious ProgPower USA VI Music Festival and the interest for the band grew.
The debut full-length album Quest Eternal, which also included all three songs from All Ahead, was released in July 2005. It immediately became a bestseller on CD Baby and many other European and American stores. More than twenty reviewers from all over the world praised the album, with one of them, a world-renown Progressive Rock and Progressive Metal webzine, calling it A new reference in Progressive Metal.
Many people played with ASPIRE, with all of them contributing to the sound and live appearance of the band; however, it is always Al Candello and Ryan Metzger who define the bands sound. The band played in all great clubs in New York, including BMT (formerly LAmours) and Don Hills, drawing the steady audience of new and old fans.
The second album The Age Of Reckoning" was released October 15th, 2006 in the US and October 21st, 2006 worldwide. It sold over 200 copies in the first three weeks and gathered some quite outstanding reviews:
"The Age Of Reckoning" is a wonderful piece of US Metal, including so much musical varieties, it really kicked me in the head. Don't wait to order please, otherwise you're not worth to wear the name US Metal maniac". METAL TO INFINITY, Belgium
"...the best Melodic Metal album in the last years" METAL COVEN, Germany (www.metalcoven.de)
"...one of the finest Metal discs of 2006 and a worthy addition to your Metal collection." WEST SIDE DAVE, USA.
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Hello my friends, a brilliantly beautiful blessing in every way that's what you've brought to my life with your music. I hope you are well. I enjoy autumn, it is a fabulous time. The walking is great, the snows haven't really started to descend then, The air is fresh and the clouds dance in the sky...Have a lovely week ! I wish you have your feet on the ground, your heart in the stars and clarity in your mind. With a breath of joy, Heidi
Thank you, We appreciate your support ! We hope to see ya soon at one of our shows and make sure to check out our music at our MySpace and check the merchandise in our shop !
HORNS UP !!!!!! GWYDION http://www.freewebstore.org/GwydionShop
hailz --hope the music is going well.. im just waiting in nyc to meet altar of oblivion's band leader - here in nyc now --jazz/metal grtz ...rhscheryl ..bass...flute mistress.....epic doom metal.. denmark altar of oblivion .. & blood fountains..:) new cd's out now \m/
Hello guys, how are you ? It's always full of bright sparkling moments and carry me to magnificent places to listen your amazing music. So I hope you are full of creativity and inspiration making your music. Here it is autumn and cold is coming, but I enjoy this season with all the beautiful colors in the nature and the candlelight at home. I hope you have a wonderful pleasing beginning of the week that will lead you to a sunset filled peaceful weekend. Enjoy the days with a smile and paint the sky with your dreams.... With embracing light ~ ~ Heidi
Hello guys, just passing by to thank you for making such great music, your music always makes my day easier to get through. I'm wishing you a weekend filled with treasures visible to the eyes ~but most of all to your heart ~ and may the new week unfold sweet surprises for you !.....Sunshine Greetings, Heidi
i am sorry that i cant always get by friends' pages as much these days,,,its hard to keep up sometimes, but you were never forgotten in the midst,,,,,Just wanted to check up on you and see how things are going for you and what's happening with you. i hope you are well and have a rockin' Wednesday
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