Dungeon

Dungeon are an Australian power metal band formed in 1989 in Broken Hill, later based in Sydney. The group is active from 1989 to 2006 and is identified with power metal, while the surrounding tags also place them within heavy metal and thrash metal contexts.

History

The band begins as a high school jam session in Broken Hill, with singer and guitarist Lord Tim forming the group. Dungeon move to Sydney in 1992 and build a following through technical, high-energy live performances. Their early activity includes a worldwide publishing deal with BMG Australia and the release of the Changing Moods demo EP, which features drummer Virgil Donati.

That material attracts Japanese label TDK-Core Records, which releases the songs and additional demo recordings under the title Demolition. The release sells more than 6,000 copies in its first six weeks and establishes a fan base in Japan.

Albums and releases

Dungeon’s first official album, Resurrection, raises their profile further. The line-up at this stage includes Lord Tim, Dale Corney on guitar, Justin “Juz” Sayers on bass and Steve “Stevo” Moore on drums, later joined by bassist Brendon “Dakk” McDonald for touring.

The album A Rise To Power follows in 2002 and marks a major step for the band. After this, Stuart Marshall replaces Dale Corney on guitar. In 2003 the band signs a priority deal with Limb Music Products and releases the commemorative album Rising Power for their first international tour. A DVD and live CD titled Under The Rising Sun is also made from tour footage.

In 2004 Dungeon starts recording One Step Beyond and also re-records Resurrection with the current line-up and updated production for a worldwide release through LMP. The final Dungeon album, The Final Chapter, appears in 2006.

Tours and festival appearances

Dungeon tour with Yngwie Malmsteen and Nevermore, and appear at Metal Warriors Metalfest, Bloodlust and Metal For The Brain. They later headline Metal For The Brain in 2003 and continue to appear there annually. Their touring also includes dates with Edguy, Doro, Destruction, Mayhem, Opeth, Nightwish, Angra, Megadeth and Fozzy.

The band tours Japan’s Club Citta for the Melodic Metal Festival alongside Skylark, Vigilante, Dragonland and Galneryus. They also tour Europe, the USA and Canada, and play headlining shows in Belgium and at RosRock festival in the Netherlands, as well as the Bang Your Head pre-show with Metal Church, Chris Caffery and Nasty Savage.

Line-up changes and end of the group

By 2005 the line-up includes Lord Tim, Stuart Marshall, Glenn Williams and Tim Yatras. After extensive touring, Marshall and Williams leave and Lord Tim dissolves Dungeon, turning attention to LORD, which begins as a solo side project and continues as a full band. The verified line-up for the group includes Lord Tim, Stu Marshall and Tim Yatras.