Welcome the long overdue fan page dedicated to Nikolo Kotzev's BRAZEN ABBOT. What began in 1994 as a studio project for this multi-talented composer and musician, has produced so far, five (5) studio and one (1) live album as his music continues to attract a strong, and loyal fan base, around the world.
The BRAZEN ABBOT sound overall, is quite atypical of any band or project I have heard in many years. The instrumental compositions are quite complex. The lyrics are intelligently written and often thought provoking. So upon hearing the final arrangements on these recordings, the myriad of BRAZEN ABBOT'S songs, in general, have this sort of "symphonic", sometimes "ethereal" and often "epic" feel to them. In addition, this project has offered a variety of some great, head-banging 'rock n' roll' tracks, as well as, the occasional 'power' ballad which sometimes, has brought a tear or two to this fans' eyes....
The Beginning
In 1989, Nikolo moved to Finland from his native Bulgaria. Trained in violin, since the age of 5, and guitar and other instruments (piano, keyboards, percussion) since the age of 12, Nikolo first made his mark as the guitarist for the Swedish band BALTIMOORE. He recorded two albums with them, Double Density and Thought For Food, in 1992 and 1994, respectively.
That same year (1994), Nikolo left BALTIMOORE to record his first solo album. He named his project BRAZEN ABBOT and began using the instrumental compositions he had previously arranged, engineered, and recorded in his studio (Nitrax® Studios). In fact, the first three BRAZEN ABBOT albums, Live and Learn (1995), Eye of the Storm (1996), and Bad Religion (1997) were recorded in that studio.
The Musicians
Since the beginning (of this project), Nikolo’s music has been able to attract some of rock n’ roll’s best musicians from all over the world. In addition to the "vocalists" (listed on the opposite page) musicians including: Ian Haugland (BALTIMOORE, GLENN HUGHES, EUROPE), Mattias Knutas (WAVER, FARM),Thomas Broman (GLENN HUGHES, HUGHES TURNER PROJECT, ROAD TO RUIN), and Dave Knight (ROBIN GIBB) on Drums; Mic Michaeli (GLENN HUGHES, EUROPE), Nelko Kolarov (IMPULS), and Lars Pollack (BALTIMOORE, GLENN HUGHES) on Organ, Piano, Keyboards; and Svante Henryson (MUSIC FÖR TRIO), John Leven (EUROPE), and Wayne Banks (ROBIN GIBB, MESSIAH'S KISS) on Bass, have each played an integral role in defining the BRAZEN ABBOT sound.
Other Projects - The 'rock operas' Nostradamus and Draconia
When Nikolo was not working on this project, or getting his masters degree in music education; he was diligently writing and arranging the first of his “rock opera” recordings. Nikolo Kotzev’s Nostradamus was released in 2001 to critical acclaim. It was recorded with a thirty-five (35) piece orchestra built especially for the occasion in the city of Varna, Bulgaria. It also included an all-star cast of BRAZEN ABBOT'S "singers and players", before or since, as well as, vocalist Doogie White (RAINBOW, MALMSTEEN) and female vocalists Allannah Myles and Sass Jordan. The two (2) disc set was based on the life of Nostradamus, the French physician and author of prophecies, who wrote his predictions in quatrains.
At the time of the debut of this page, Nikolo is currently working on his second “rock opera” recording. The latest offering is entitled Draconia located at draconia.nostramusic.com/ So far, the plot seems to center around a character by the name of "Hope". At this writing, only vocalist Göran Edman has been cast in this latest project. Edman is playing the role of "The Storyteller".
We're Back
Two years after Nostradamus was released, BRAZEN ABBOT released their fourth studio album, Guilty As Sin, in 2003. This was the project's first studio album in six (6) years. Nikolo told his fans (in the album's liner notes), how "tough (it was) to create (these recordings) when the heart aches and the thoughts are somewhere else". This album contained some of the most awe inspiring lyrics to date. And the compositions and arrangements were once again - innovative and fresh. So, it was certainly great to see this project "back" in full swing.
Around the same time Guilty As Sin was released, a series of concerts were being held in Nikolo's native Bulgaria to capacity crowds in Varna, Plovdiv, and Sofia in late July, 2003. Nikolo, along with Joe Lynn Turner (v), Wayne Banks (b), Lars Pollack (k), and Thomas Broman (d) were a part of this special "homecoming" tour.
Then in 2004, ten years after this project first began, Nikolo released a full-length documentary entitled, A Decade of Brazen Abbot, on CD & DVD. The CD contains the band's complete July 31st (2003) concert in Sofia, a bonus (acoustic version) track of "Love Is On Our Side" (an incredible track, written and performed by Joe Lynn Turner), and a detailed booklet, chronicling the history of this project from its inception. The DVD version contains a few more extras, including a behind the scenes look at the development of Nitrax® Studios, concert footage from the '03 concerts, and in-depth interviews with Nikolo and some of the principal vocalists in the project.
In 2005, the fifth BRAZEN ABBOT studio album, My Resurrection was released. Most notable for this album was the departure of three of BRAZEN ABBOT'S most prominent "players" - Ian Haugland, Mic Michaeli, and John Leven who voluntarily left this project to reunite with their former band EUROPE, in 2003. So, Nelko Kolarov (organ, piano,keyboards), Wayne Banks (bass), and Mattias Knutas (drums) stepped in and became a fine addition in the making of this album. The Sofia String Orchestra also made its debut appearance on this album.
The Future
In some parts of the world (and hopefully on a world wide scale in 2009), BRAZEN ABBOT has issued their second DVD - a full-length concert performance - entitled Live At Berkrock (Note: Limited copies of that DVD were sold at the Magic Circle Festival this past July 12th).
According to the official website, this DVD is a two-hour showcase of “the unmistakable energy so typical of their concerts”. This concert event took place on July 28th 2007, at the Berkrock festival in Bulgaria. In fact, Nikolo was seen promoting this latest release on Bulgarian television, probably on Slavi's show, on June 16th, 2008.
From his 2004 documentary Nikolo admits, "Nothing is Impossible". Adding, "I will just go on making new albums...for as long as I can".
Brazen Abbot Fan Page wishes 'The Maestro' Nikolo Kotzev great success in his new opera, "Joel" premiering July 24, 2009 in Ǻland for nine performances. view more
Shown below are the "vocalists" who have brought to this project, their distinctive vocal styles and songwriting abilities, turning them into some incredible, high quality performances over the last fifteen (15) years of this project's existence.
They are listed in order of their first appearance on a Brazen Abbot recording, along with the name of the corresponding track and the albums which that track appeared. Not pictured is vocalist Erik Mårtensson, who appeared on My Resurrection (2005) for the track "No Shadows".
A click on the photo below will take you to the vocalist's official website.
Thanks for your friendship! In our next edition of 'Let there be Rock', we have a big interview with JOE LYNN TURNER, and play some of his best music. And we have lots other great music of course..... Make sure you listen on Tuesday July 14 (9-11PM CET - Amsterdam time) to our internet stream: http://w4.boschtion.nl/index.php?pageid=21, you will LOVE it for sure! Keep rockin'
Thank you for your support and for your friendship!
The CRASH THE SYSTEM debut album "The Crowning" out on July 3rd in Europe
and on August 11th in the USA, Japan to follow...
featuring top hard rock vocalists Göran Edman (Ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum, Brazen Abbot, etc), Mats Levén (Ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, Infinite Mass, etc), Thomas Vikström (Ex-Talk Of The Town, Candlemass, etc) and Björn Jansson (Ex-Ride The Sky, Tears Of Anger, etc). The album also features the members of "The Murder Of My Sweet" and on additional guitars: Manuel Lewys (Machinery, Elwood, etc).
Hi, I am very grateful for add Nikolo is an extraordinary musician. I have the pleasure of sharing this space with music and sounds of the band Brazen Abbot.
Thank You so much! Maestro Nikolo Kotzev ROCKS! Glad to hear that You like Rainbow as much as me! It is from that song (Stargazer) that I "borrowed" the name Tower of Stone. Such a magical song. I guess the most magical song ever. Thanks again! Hope you like the songs. /Egon, ToS, Sweden
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