Stahlhammer:

Stahlhammer is one of the most powerful bands ever to come out of Austria. Stahlhammer plays a mix of metal, hardcore and industrial elements, paired with some symphonic arrangements.

The band was originally founded in December, 1992, as Michael Stocker left his old band, El Fisher, and hit upon Gary Wheeler who had just left his band, Blind Petition. The two discussed a new type of metal with German lyrics. The original band name was suppoed to be "Eisenherz" however the copyright on the "Prinz Einsenherz" stories prevented this.

The line-up for the debut album, "Killerinstinkt" (High Gain) comprised of vocalist Gary Wheeler, Thomas Schuler on guitar, Peter Karolyi on bass and Michael Stocker, their drummer.

This first album achieved considerable success outside of Austria and Germany as well, not least because of their video of their coverversion of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall".

Later vocalist Gary Wheeler left the band and was replaced with the voice of Georgij Alexandrowitsch Makazaria. With him Stahlhammer produced their second abum, "Wiener Blut" (High Gain) and a new single, "Wiener Blut", which was their metal version of a Johann Strauss walz, followed.

Bassist Peter Karolyi was a member of the Wiener Staatsopernballett and hit upon the world known director and choreographer Renato Zanella. He gave Stahlhammer the opportunity to combine metal performances with classical ballet and several joint appearances with the Wiener Staatsopernballett followed.

The band played more than 200 shows from club gigs as far as large festivals and tours with S.O.D., Joachim Witt, Subway to Sally and Rammstein.

The collaboration with Zanella brought Stahlhammer many opportunities including their performance in the Wiener Volkstheater as part of the Impulse Tanzfestival.

A short time later the media became more intensely aware of the band and Stahlhammer shows were broadcast on Austrian and German television stations such as ZDF, ORF and ARD.

In September, 1997, Stahlhammer was the first metal band in history to be allowed to appear at the opening ceremonies of the Wiener Staatsoper.

On July 1, 1998, the band performed their version of "Wiener Blut" at the Austrian Heldenplatz. Thousands came to see the band and the show was seen live on television by over 35 million people.

In the meantime the band worked together with their new guitarist, Conrad Schrenk, on their third album, "Feind Hört Mit" (Nuclear Blast). Schrenk was formerly a guitarist for the legenday pop artist, Falco, who died a tragic death in 1998. In honor of Falco, Stahlhammer released on "Feind Hört Mit" their versions of the classic Falco songs, "Jeanny" and "Mutter der Mann mit dem Koks ist da". Both songs strongly influenced the Falco Cybershow which was being performed at this time.

As guest musicians Stahlhammer gained the opera singers Tanja Golden and Barbara Schindler as well as violinist Mario Gheorghiu.

After the band had presented their third album live on many tours throughout Europe, their singer Georgij Makazaria left the band and had a few hits with the Austrian pop band, Ohrrausch. Guitarist Conrad Schrenk also left the band in order to work on his solo project.

In April, 2002, Gregory E. Pilling launched www.stahlhammer.org in New York and the band got in touch with a new guitarist, Niko Stössl and, back with the original Stahlhammer singer, Gary Wheeler, they left their label Nuclear Blast and signed a new contract with Universal Music as well as the Canadian label Primetime Music for the US and Canada, in order to record their fourth studio album, "Eisenherz". Wilfred Schneider released the album, "Eisenherz" worldwide on September 30, 2002. After the legendary live presentation of "Eisenherz" on Vienna's Planet Music several shows followed in Austria as well as a tour throughtout Germany in the spring of 2003. After their last show in Schwerin, Stahlhammer returned to Vienna and began work on their fifth studio album, "Stahlmania".

Stahlhammer signed a new deal with the british label Goodsongs in charge of sales for Sony Music Deutschland. Highlights of Stahlmania include cover versions of "Out of the Dark" by Falco and "Merci Cherie" by Udo Jürgens!!!

In 2005, Stahlhammer signed a record deal with the Spanish label Def-Dick International for their new dark, nihilistic, graceful (anmutend means graceful, charming, lovely... whatever) album, "Opera Noir".

Thanks to Greg for letting us use this! -Mikki 10/02

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