Skylark

Skylark is an Italian symphonic power metal band formed by keyboardist Eddy Antonini and active since 1995. The band works in the power metal, symphonic metal and melodic metal fields, and its line-up centres on Eddy Antonini on keyboards, Fabrizio Romani on guitar and vocalist Kiara, with Roberto Potenti on bass. The group does not currently have a drummer.

History and releases

The band begins as an underground act in the mid-1990s and is built around symphonic compositions written and arranged by Eddy Antonini and Roberto Potenti. Despite limited major-label support, it develops a following over time and builds a recorded catalogue of eight albums. These include the Divine Gates series, with Divine Gates Part III - The Last Gate described as the latest album in the discography.

Live activity and reach

Skylark performs widely in Europe and beyond, sharing stages with Royal Hunt, Running Wild, Edguy, Virgin Steele, Nightwish and Dream Theater. The band has particular success in the Far East, especially in China and Japan. In Japan it plays three live tours between 2003 and 2005, including sold-out shows at Shinjuku Loft and Shibuya Cyclone, and performances at Club Quattro in Osaka and Tokyo, as well as Club Chitta in Kawasaki. In China, it completes a long tour in 2008.

Reception and achievements

The band sells around 140,000 copies across its career. Divine Gates Part III - The Last Gate brings the group its first US release and reaches third place in the HMV Rock and Pop Japanese charts and seventh overall, with worldwide sales of more than 25,000 copies. Skylark also plans and records a live DVD, Divine Gates Part 4: The Live Gate, based on a performance filmed in Phoenix, Arizona in May 2008.