Evil Masquerade
Scandinavian heavy metal band known for frequent lineup changes.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Evil Masquerade is a Scandinavian band formed in 2003 in Copenhagen. Their wide range of musical influences make them difficult to categorize; they claim to play 'Devilish Rock'n'Roll', a self-invented genre, but are usually filed under heavy metal by the music industry. The band has undergone numerous lineup changes and released seven studio albums.
- formed
- 2003
- origin
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- genre
- Heavy metal (self-described as 'Devilish Rock'n'Roll')
- founder
- Henrik Flyman
- known_for
- Frequent lineup changes and a self-invented genre
- active_years
- 2003–present
Lore & Background
Evil Masquerade was founded in 2003 in Copenhagen by Swedish guitarist Henrik Flyman, who had previously played in Wuthering Heights, Moahni Moahna, and ZooL. The original lineup included drummer Dennis Buhl, bass player Kasper Gram, and vocalist Henrik Brockmann. Their debut album, Welcome to the Show, was released in early 2004. A second album, Theatrical Madness, followed in 2005. Subsequent albums saw significant lineup changes: vocalist Apollo Papathanasio and bass player Thor Jeppesen joined for Third Act (2006), which was re-released in the US in 2007. By the fourth album, Fade to Black (2008), only Flyman and Papathanasio remained, with new members Daniel Flores on drums and Johan Niemann on bass. Flyman composed the fifth album, Pentagram, released in May 2012, recording with Papathanasio, Buhl, Jeppesen, and the band's first permanent keyboard player, Artur Meinild. In 2013, Papathanasio left and was replaced by Tobias Jansson, who recorded only one album, The Digital Crucifix (2014). For the seventh album, The Outcast Hall of Fame (2016), the band used five vocalists: Mats Levén, Rick Altzi, Apollo Papathanasio, Nicklas Sonne, and an uncredited guest. Shortly after release, Sonne became the permanent vocalist.
Reader's Guide
Evil Masquerade's significance lies in their persistent output and adaptability across a shifting lineup, with founder Henrik Flyman as the sole constant member. Their music, though self-labeled as 'Devilish Rock'n'Roll', is typically categorized as heavy metal, reflecting a blend of influences that defies easy classification. The band achieved notable international recognition early on, with their debut album charting in Japan, and later won a JPF Music Award in the United States for Best Metal Song in 2009. Their willingness to collaborate with a rotating cast of musicians—including members of Therion, Firewind, and Royal Hunt—kept their sound evolving. The inclusion of a revised version of an 18th-century Swedish poem on their 2016 album demonstrates a willingness to incorporate classical elements. While not a household name, Evil Masquerade represents a persistent force in Scandinavian heavy metal, maintaining a career through two decades of personnel changes and stylistic exploration.
Did You Know?
- Evil Masquerade's debut album Welcome to the Show was released in early 2004.
- Their seventh album, The Outcast Hall of Fame, features five different vocalists, including a revised version of a song by 18th-century Swedish poet Carl Michael Bellman.
- Founder Henrik Flyman has played in several bands, including Wuthering Heights, Moahni Moahna, and ZooL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Evil Masquerade?
Evil Masquerade is a Scandinavian heavy metal band that was put together in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2003. They have remained active since then and have released seven studio albums over the course of their career.
What genre does Evil Masquerade play?
The band coins the label 'Devilish Rock'n'Roll' to describe their sound, but the broader music industry generally files them under heavy metal. Their eclectic mix of influences makes them genuinely difficult to slot into a single category.
Who founded Evil Masquerade?
Henrik Flyman is credited as the founding member who launched the project in Copenhagen in 2003. Since that start, the group has cycled through numerous lineup changes, making it one of the more volatile acts in the Scandinavian metal scene.
What is Evil Masquerade most famous for?
They took home the JPF Music Award for Best Metal Song in 2009 with their track 'Bozo the Clown.' The band has also earned chart success in Japan and picked up a degree of recognition in the United States.
Why is Evil Masquerade notable in the Danish metal scene?
Despite being a relatively niche act, they built a dedicated following in Japan and gained some traction in the US market. Their self-invented 'Devilish Rock'n'Roll' branding and ever-shifting roster set them apart from more straightforward metal bands.
More in Danish heavy metal musical groups 1-22
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