Brainstorm

Brainstorm is a German power metal band from Heidenheim an der Brenz, active since 1989. The group is known for a darker style than many power metal acts and has included Andy B. Franck on vocals, alongside Henning Basse, with Torsten Ihlenfeld and Milan Loncaric on guitars, Dieter Bernert on drums, Miro on keyboards, and bass players including Andreas Mailänder and later Antonio Ieva. Franck also performs with Symphorce.

Early recordings and first albums

The band forms in 1989 and first records a demo called Hand Of Doom after about a year together. Early shows with Stormwitch, Exciter and Rage follow, and the tracks “Kings, Queens and Sins” and “Law” appear on a compilation LP. After Andreas Mailänder joins on bass, Brainstorm releases the second demo, Heart Of Hate, in 1992. A further demo, The Fifth Season, gains attention in the German metal press, and the band signs its first record deal in 1997.

The debut album Hungry is self-produced and helps establish the band with fans and critics. It leads to touring with Morgana Lefay, Solitude Aeturnus, Skyclad and Maraya. The second album, Unholy, follows with production from Dirk Schlächter, Harald Sprengler and Charlie Bauerfeind.

Line-up changes and label releases

After vocalist Marcus Jürgens leaves, Andy B. Franck joins in 1999. Soon after, the band signs to Metal Blade Records and records Ambiguity at House of Music Studio with Dirk Schlächter and Sascha Paeth producing. Touring with Armored Saint and King Diamond, together with festival appearances, further raises the band’s profile.

Metus Mortis appears in 2001 and is produced by Achim Köhler. Brainstorm returns to the studio with Köhler in 2003 for Soul Temptation, the fifth album in the band’s career. Work on Liquid Monster begins in 2004 and the album appears in 2005.

Later albums and live activity

Downburst is released in 2008 and is recorded in Wolfsburg, with Sascha Paeth taking over as producer. By this stage Antonio Ieva has replaced Andreas Mailänder on bass. The next album, Memorial Roots, is also recorded in Wolfsburg and uses a slower, mid-tempo approach on many of its songs. In 2016 the band releases Scary Creatures.

Brainstorm also issues the DVD Honey from the BS, which includes the Budapest concert and the band’s 2004 Wacken performance, plus additional excerpts, a history section and a videography. The group is established enough to perform with major metal acts and appears at various celebrated festivals.

Members

The band’s line-up includes Andy B. Franck and Henning Basse, with Torsten Ihlenfeld, Milan Loncaric, Dieter Bernert, Miro, Antonio Ieva, Marcus Jürgens and Andreas Mailänder appearing at different points in its history.