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BIOGRAPHY
The group first began in August of 1993 when Michael Demov had a vision to form a heavy metal band called Black Reign. He approached Anthony Cipolla to play lead guitar with Demov taking on rhythm guitar & vocals. He gave Anthony the whole rhythm guitar recording of a song which later would be named Unholy Father of which he put some lead guitar to. Whilst studying at TAFE, Demov shared a class with a guy named Adam Moxon. They exchanged musical interests then Demov told him he should buy a bass guitar & join him in a band he was forming, so he did. Demov's high school mate Steve Hatzis was after a bass guitar but ended walking out of the shop with drums. The very first members of Black Reign had formed and the process of song writing began.
August 1993
Vocals/Guitar - Michael Demov
Guitar - Anthony Cipolla
Bass - Adam Moxon
Drums - Steve Hatzis
Songs: none complete
After a few months the band came to the realisation that Steve was too far behind the other three in ability so he was replaced by Luke McGee.
February 1994
Vocals/Guitar - Michael Demov
Guitar - Anthony Cipolla
Bass - Adam Moxon
Drums - Luke McGee
Songs: Intro, Rush, Unholy Father, Child Of War, Fact of Life, Death, The Chosen Ones, Material Age, Elizabeta, Stallion
The songs became well established with this line-up but it unfortunately only lasted a few months. Anthony & Luke both departed at the same time leaving Demov & Moxon to rebuild. Moxon suggests a friend named Jason Martin for guitar so he auditions and is included in the new line-up. Advertising is used to find drummer Ian Pilgrim and so the first publicly recognised line-up is formed.
July 1994
Vocals/Guitar - Michael Demov
Bass - Adam Moxon
Guitar - Jason Martin
Drums - Ian Pilgrim
BLACK REIGN EP - LIVE
Songs: Intro, Rush, Fact Of Life, Unholy Father, Child Of War, Death, The Chosen Ones, Elizabeta, Material Age, The 3rd Antichrist, Stallion
The band put together a live set of 9 songs, they book studio time and choose to record the first Black Reign EP (self-titled). The first live performance for Black Reign is at Demov's 21st birthday party. The first gig follows in October. This line-up played the biggest gig Black Reign has done to date held at Waves, Wollongong, in front of 500 punters with a huge pit of young animals moshing up the front. The gig was part of a drugs/aids awareness tour called Condoscream with 5 other bands. The band enter a band comp called "Metal War '95". Something like 20+ metal/hard rock bands are included. Black Reign make it through the heats to the final with The Kindred & Zaborne and end up winners of the competition. A lot of fun gigs, alcohol, drugs & partying happen during this period with Demov, Moxon & Martin actually living together for 6 months (until the eviction notice arrived!). A gradually increasing following grew during this time and cemented Black Reign's name among Wollongong's metal history. And it was during this time that the slogan "the storm is coming..." was created. The first Black Reign shirts were also made and sold along with the EP.
Personal divisions began occurring between certain band members, ending up with founding member Adam Moxon leaving the band in Late '95. A replacement was quickly found in Wollongong hard rocker Dirty Dave.
Late-1995
Vocals/Guitar - Michael Demov
Guitar - Jason Martin
Drums - Ian Pilgrim
Bass - Dirty Dave
LIVE
Songs: Intro, No Emotion, Rush, Fact of Life, Child Of War, Death, Unholy Father, Material Age, Black Reign, The 3rd Antichrist.
The band continue playing live. A few new songs were added to the set. Discussions with Castlerock studios engineer Rocky Todorovski begin for a new EP. However, the band member revolving door cancer which has continually plagued the bands momentum continue with Jason Martin parting ways with Reign. Demov, disillusioned by the whole thing decides to form a younger & brand new version of Black Reign.
Adam Moxon is recalled to arms. Demov auditions friend Black for drums (oddly enough these three all met in the same TAFE class back in '93 when the band first began). Black passes the audition with flying colours. Moxon suggests another guy he knows for guitar named Dave West. A new Black Reign is formed.
Mid-1996
Vocals/Guitar - Michael Demov
Bass - Adam Moxon
Drums - Black
Guitar - Dave West
LIVE
Songs: Rush, Viking, No Emotion, Stallion, Black Reign, Child of War, Fact of life, Death, Unholy Father
This line-up played only a few gigs together. Studio time was booked to record a new EP at Castlerock studios. When the first sessions begin guitarist West disappears without a trace leaving the remaining three to complete the recording. At this time Moxon suggests continuing as a three-piece with Demov taking over full lead guitar responsibilities. So the first 3 piece version of Black Reign is born.
December 1996
Vocals/Guitar - Michael Demov
Bass - Adam Moxon
Drums - Black
LIVE
Songs: Rush, Viking, No Emotion, Child of War, Black Reign, Unholy Father, Fact Of life, Stallion.
Reign continues on with the live assault.
Frustrated with parts not being completed in the studio for the 5 track EP & lack of any work from the band members, Demov lets go of the reins. 2 months later after no contact from the other members Demov calls a meeting to say he is calling it quits with the band. Because of the seemingly inability of the band to release anything Demov chooses to go solo to get his songs on disc and out there.
Late 1997
Solo - Michael Demov
EQUALIBRIUM CD
Demov begins writing material for what would become the Equalibrium album. After several months the song writing is complete. Demov approaches Borch Todorovski at Castlerock Studios to start the recording of the drum tracks. Limited with studio time the drums end up taking a full year to complete. With the drums recorded Demov books time in Mainstreet Studios to begin recording all the other parts - rhythm & lead guitar, bass & vocals. Followed by the mixing and mastering processes. Major personal developments & commitments stretch the project out even further. With finalisations of the artwork completed in late 2000 Equalibrium is finally released in early 2001 with Demov deciding to use the name Black Reign for the CD rather than his own. With Demov's songs finally off his chest and on something descent he decides to try the band once again.
He advertises for a new bass player and Jose-Manuel Azevedo responds. The two get together and it works out. Black is asked if he would like to work together again and a new 3 piece version is formed.
January-May 2001
Vocals/Guitar - Michael Demov
Drums - Black
Bass - Jose-Manuel Azevedo
Songs: In My Opinion, Rock On, Falling, Child Of War, Blood
 
The band begin writing some new songs & resurrecting some old classics. The newer material is heavy but not as aggressive as the usual 'Reign sound. After 4 months of work Black cannot continue the commitment required and leaves. Manuel & Demov search for a new drummer which ends up taking 5 months before a suitable replacement is found in Warren Bunting.
November 2001 - November 2002
Vocals/Guitar - Michael Demov
Bass - Jose-Manuel Azevedo
Drums - Warren Bunting
I DO IT BECAUSE I CAN EP- LIVE
Songs: Child Of War, Blood, In My opinion, Rock On, I Do It Because I Can, Jihad, The Middle-East, Land Me Home, Chase Pacer, Against The Wind, Falling.
 
The new line-up continues the work made by the previous. A hard rock/heavy metal set is built. The band chooses 5 songs from the set and decide to record an EP in mid 2002. The new EP I Do It Because I Can is released in September with the band hitting the live scene in July. With the band gigging every month up until December and promoting the new EP Bunting announces his departure. Demov & Azevedo immediately advertise for a replacement. Tim Yatras responds and successfully auditions.
December 2002 - May 2003
Vocals/Guitar - Michael Demov
Bass - Jose-Manuel Azevedo
Drums - Tim Yatras
LIVE
Songs: Child Of War, In My Opinion, Rock On, I Do It Because I Can, Jihad, The Middle-East, Land Me Home, Chase Pacer, Against the Wind, Blood.
 
The band quickly gets back on track & continue to play the live circuit and promoting the new EP. However, differences within the band come to surface with Azevedo & Yatras departing camp in late May.
Demov questions the continuation of the band & all the work it will take to rebuild the machine. After a few days of thought considering all the blood, sweat & tears shed for Reign over the years Demov decides to carry the name on & again rebuild the monster. During the last line-up's time on the live scene friend Skar Velis offers his services for a second guitar in the band. Demov calls him and the two begin plotting the bands future. Former henchman Dirty Dave is asked for his bass services once again and rejoins. Tim is called to see if he would like to rejoin & continue on which he does.
July 2003-August 2003
Vocals/Guitar - Michael Demov
Bass - Dirty Dave
Drums - Tim Yatras
Guitar - Skar Velis
Songs: Child Of War, Blood
The shortest lived line-up of Black Reign ends after Yatras failing to be able to meet the new band's commitment is let go. An advert is put out for a new drummer and Stephen Jarrett responds, successfully auditions and is welcomed into the group.
September 2003 - May 2004
Vocals/Guitar - Michael Demov
Bass - Dirty Dave
Guitar - Skar Velis
Drums - Lord Stephen
LIVE
Songs: Unholy Father, Child Of War, I Am Death, New Age Generation, Blood, I Do It Because I Can, Jihad, Creeping Death, Seasons In The Abyss, Viking, The Seven Seas.
This line-up returns Black Reign to its pure form of heavy metal with the strength of the band as a whole surpassing any previous line-up. From the songs to the image to the work ethic to the attitude Black Reign became the best it has ever been. They hit the live scene playing some of the best gigs the band has done to date.
The band build momentum but by the end of May both Skar & Stephen fall victim to the same prey and depart the ranks of the black machine. Auditions begin for a new guitarist. One of which is a young dude by the name of Blaze. He displays an impressive ability for his age of which Demov & Dave are impressed so he is accepted as the new axeman. A chance meeting in July between Dave and former Reign drummer Ian Pilgrim occurs. Ian pounds his way back into the band at an arranged rehearsal. With strong improvements in both the lead guitar & drum departments the band climbs a few steps higher than the previous line-up making it clearly the best version of Black Reign ever.
August 2004 - January 2005
Vocals/Guitar - Michael Demov
Drums - Ian Pilgrim
Bass - Dirty Dave
Guitar - Blaze Bucannan
LIVE
Songs: Unholy Father, Child Of War, I Am Death, New Age Generation, Blood, I Do It Because I Can, Jihad, Creeping Death, Seasons In The Abyss, Viking, The Seven Seas, No Emotion.
Continuing on where the last line-up left the band rage forward establishing a reputation in all the cities they perform in with the quality of the shows they play on improving. They play live from October through to January 2005.
Ongoing problems with Dirty Dave persist with him finally being fired in late January. Ian who became close friends with him during this period decides to part with him. Former members Jose-Manuel Azevedo & Lord Stephen return to become the new rhythm section. A 'new' line-up of past members are united in February.
February 2005 - May 2005
Vocals/Guitar - Michael Demov
Bass - Jose-Manuel Azevedo
Drums - Lord Stephen
Guitar - Blaze Bucannan
LIVE
Songs: Unholy Father, Child Of War, I Am Death, New Age Generation, Blood, I Do It Because I Can, Jihad, Viking, The Seven Seas.
With only 2 gigs under their belt this line-up comes to a screeching halt after only 3 months.
After years of failure trying to release regular quality recordings due to continual changing line-ups founding member & leader of the band Demov called a meeting in May and put it to the then-current members that it was high time that Reign released a top quality, international standard full length album. This meant no live shows with a total focus on the album. It was also to be self-financed as Reign had failed to attain a deal with a heavy metal label. Lead guitarist Blaze said he could contribute financially but his heart wasn't into this style of metal enough to commit to such a large project. Drummer Lord Stephen failed to show for the meeting & left the band for unknown reasons. Bass player Manuel agreed with the plan so it was Demov & Manuel to move forward.
Songwriting began as well as advertising for a lead guitarist & drummer.
After a few months due to personal reasons Manuel eventually faded out of the picture which left Demov no choice but to look also for a new bassist.
Demov continued the songwriting and search for other members. There were numerous lead guitar enquiries and far less drummer calls but the financial commitment was causing all those who looked promising back off either because they could not commit that much or weren't willing to invest that much.
Finally with 6 songs written in March '06 bassist Sean Veale joins with Demov. A songwriter himself Sean brings in 4 of his songs to complete the songs for the album. After failing to find anyone else to equally contribute to the album Demov & Sean set out to finance the whole project while searching for a 'session' lead guitarist & drummer to appear on the recording and hopefully play live with the band afterward.
In May drummer Bryn Morrow of thrash metal outfit Dark Order is asked if he would like to play the drums on the album of which he accepts. The three begin rehearsing the songs while adverts go out again for a lead guitarist.
The three - Demov, Sean & Bryn continue for the rest of 2006 rehearsing & refining the songs with an extra song being added to the album making it 11 songs in total. Close to the end of the year former lead guitarist Blaze Bucannan is once again recruited to perform all lead guitar solos for the album.
January 2007 - current
Vocals/Guitar - Michael Demov
Bass - Sean Veale
Drums - Bryn Morrow
Guitar - Blaze Bucannan
Studio time is booked for January '07 at 313 Studios in Wollongong, NSW, Australia to commence recording. Beginning with drums then bass, guitars, vocals, lead guitar & keyboards the recording of all the songs and parts is finalised in April. Mixing begins in May and is completed in July. The album is then mastered in August completed the music side of things for the new album.
The original artist chosen for the album didn't come through with the goods which wasted a few months of time so the search went out to find someone else to deliver the art. Finally, local tattooist Shane Saye illustrated the cover with Carl Whitbread from Aborted Prosthetics putting the album design together. Because of the delay caused by the original artist the promotional version of the album is finally pressed in December. This will followed up by the final release with multi-page sleave design and dvd.
Rehearsal begin in October in preparation for the live front. 23 songs are chosen from the back catalogue and new album to cover the live shows over the next 1-2 years promoting the new 'Sovereign' album. |
