Coverslave tribute Iron Maiden

(Charles Caleb Colton).

It is by this quotation of the writer English poet that one can lay down the orientation of Coverslave. 
Since the "Tribute bands stage" outburst in the 2000's in a lot of countries like in England or  USA,  France had to have a real and solid Iron Maiden tribute.
In 1999, Jean-Pierre Brunier (guitar), Pascal Havé (bass) and Eric Martins-Guerra (drums) who played in the same band from the 90's (in Nightreaper) decided to form a new band  asking Stephane Graziani (vocals) and Frederic Lebouetté (guitar) to join them. During the rehearsals, the musicians had more fun playing Iron Maiden songs than their songs! So that,the passion for Iron Maiden cuts had won ! After some more rehearsals, the band had a imposing set-list. Coverslave is a contraction of  coversongs and "Powerslave" album of Iron Maiden .
But some of the Coverslave's members were very busy and involved in a lot of projects so that the band could not gig much time.
In 2005, Eric Martins-Guerra (drums), played in another band who cancelled a gig only one week before. Eric decided to reform Coverslave to save the gig, but some of the past musicians could'nt play anymore. His friend Stephane Graziani (vocals) accepted to sing and Dan Sminiac (guitar), Cedrick Saulnier (guitar) and Fabien Ternois (bass) joined the band for a new start. Coverslave played this concert and the audience was so enthusiastic that they decided to carry on together.
In 2006, they began to undertake a widening sold out gig tour in Normandy,  ending in Paris. A various and efficient set-list , and also very envolved and energic  musicians  playing close to reality, are the main reasons of their success. Today, the band is supported by the French Maiden Forum ( with approximatly 4000 members in France) and the band is followed by faithfull fans.
Considering their success, the band recorded in 2007 an E.P 6 tracks " Killer Cuts from the Beast"  in Eric's own studio (drummer in Coverslave).. Mixed by Eric, the E.P acquired very good reviews and a contract with the worldwide independent company "Brennus". The band played for the "Iron Maiden Convention" the whole album "Powerslave" in front of many fans coming specially from every part of France !
Then, the band gigged in the  notably and famous place,  the "Ruskin Arms", in England,  where Iron Maiden played a lot of times at the biginning .It was for Coverslave a pilgrimage place to go to.They have been so well received that the  promoters invited them three times  in two years (The Intake, Potters).
Today, the "Coverslave's family" has growed, with a photograph, video, and roadies. Herve Monjeaud, French drawer for Iron Maiden agreed to realize a  Coverslave's visual.
In 2008, the band crossed the upper speed by playing in biggest places and participated in bigger tributes festivals (Big band café, Rockalies festival) and accomplished the dream to play sold-out cuts with Paul Di 'Anno (ex singer of Iron Maiden) during The Iron Maiden Convention/Cliveaid in Paris.
In January 2009, a professionnal company "Arcanes Productions"  (Normandy, North of France) , has been filmed the band with 15 movie cameras  during the "'Evènement Tribute" where more than 700 fans meeted ! This opportunity will allow the band  to release a first DVD " Live Tribute from Death to the Beast" that will contain a complete show,extracts of many gigs, bonus and footage (available in 2011).
Lately, the band gigged in the famous "Locomotive " in Paris for the "Paris Tribute Festival" !!!  A special scenery setting was painted especially for the event by Hervé Monjeaud (illustrations for Iron Maiden, Gamma Ray). Coverslave was supported by Dynasty (Kiss coverband) and The Four Horsemen (Metallica tribute band).
The band carry on to gave gigs in 2010, "Tribute to the Metal Legends", "Evenement tribute" at the famous place "Exo 7" in Rouen before its closing where 500 people came for a fantastic show.
And... after a long work of preparation, Coverslave supported Paul Di 'Anno (ex-singer of Iron Maiden) for the  celebration of 30 years of recording & shows worldwilde in 2010. A tour in France and Belgium who 3 gigs were sold out in pre-sales !   A complete Iron Maiden tribute show was proposed : from 1980 to 2006 with specials backdrops, stage decoration for each gig ! Paul sang with Coverslave classic songs from "Iron Maiden" and "Killers" albums, and in support, Coverslave with his singer Stephane Graziani played classics from "Number of the beast" to A matter of life and death" albums. 2H30 of full Iron Maiden show performed by the band, never seen in France. The tour was a success, 3,000 km and more than 2,000 people in 4 gigs during 4 days in France and Belgium, opening new horizons for the band in the future. The passion is always here, same as the early days !