Rebellion

Rebellion is a German heavy metal and power metal group formed in 2001 by former Grave Digger members Uwe Lulis on guitar and Tomi Göttlich on bass. The band is active from 2001 to the present and has centred much of its work on historical and mythological themes, particularly in concept albums and multi-part releases.

Early albums

The band’s first album, A Tragedy in Steel – Shakespeare’s Macbeth (2002), is a concept record based on William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It includes spoken passages and narration performed by band members and other collaborators in character. The following album, Born a Rebel (2003), moves towards more direct heavy metal lyrics, with songs about subjects such as motorcycles, metal and war, and a harder musical approach.

The Viking trilogy

In 2005 Rebellion begins a three-part cycle based on Vikings and Norse mythology with Sagas of Iceland – The History of the Vikings Volume I. The second part, Miklagard – The History of the Vikings Volume II, appears in 2007 and uses faster, heavier guitar work than the previous record. Its lyrics follow a group of Vikings who leave Sweden for Miklagard, with each song covering a different stage of the journey. The trilogy concludes with Arise: From Ginnugagap to Ragnarök – The History of the Vikings Volume III in 2009, a heavier and rougher album whose lyrics move from the creation of the world in Ginnugagap to its destruction at Ragnarök.

Line-up changes and later work

Uwe Lulis, Simone Wenzel and Gerd Lücking leave the band in late 2010, leaving Michael Seifert and Tomi Göttlich as the remaining members. A new line-up forms in 2011 with Oliver Geibig, who had previously produced the band’s second album, joining on guitar. Stephan Karut later joins on guitar, while David Faifer joins on drums before leaving because he lives too far from the rest of the group. Matthias Karle then takes over the drums. This line-up records Arminius: Furor Teutonicus, released in 2012, a conceptual album based on Arminius, the Germanic Cherusci chieftain who defeats a Roman army at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest.

Members and discography

At this stage the band’s line-up includes Michael Seifert on vocals, Tomi Göttlich on bass, Matthias Karle on drums, and Oliver Geibig and Stephan Karut on guitars. Former members listed for the group include Björn Eilen, Randy Black, Uwe Lulis, Gerd Lücking, Simone Wenzel and David Faifer.

Rebellion’s discography also includes the EP The Clans Are Marching (2009) and the single Miklagard (2006).