Fairyland

The French band Fairyland, previously called both "Fantasia" and "Fantasy", was formed in 1998 by keyboardist Philippe Giordana together with bassist/drummer Willdric Lievin. The two musicians shared the same passion for epic and symphonic Heavy Metal, and they soon began writing songs for their new project.
They made a demo called "Tribute To Universe", which was a basic metal style. As time went by and work was done, their style evolved in a new way, with more symphonic and fantastic parts. They recorded a new demo called "Realm Of Wonders", which gained good success in the underground metal scene.
Many bands and some of the biggest musicians in the metal world helped them out with contacts and guidance, and that's how they met the guitarist Anthony Parker, who was previously playing in the French band Heavenly.
After a long time trying to find a label, they decided to record their first album all by themselves. They began recording in the "Wizard Studio" in February 2002 and the album was completed in November of the same year.
During summer 2002, in the middle of recording the album, the band started looking for a singer, but not in an ordinary singing style. The only name that came to them was Elisa C. Martin, known from the successful Spanish power metal band Dark Moor (and now in Dreamaker).
After a long time researching for labels, they finally signed with the Danish based Intromental Management, who already have great experience in managing heavy metal bands from around the World. Soon after, Fairyland signed with the famous French label N.T.S. (now Replica Records).
The debut album, "Of Wars In Oshyria", was released worldwide in April 2003, and got promoted massively by both record labels and management, with great response from media and fans. The band went on a French tour with Sonata Arctica, and also participated in the well-renowned Sweden Rock Festival in 2003.
Internal band problems led to both Willdric Lievin and Elisa C. Martin, leaving the band, so the guys decided to find replacements and work on a new album. The band finished recordings for the new concept album "Fall Of An Empire"- again composed by Philippe Giordana and Anthony Parker, who had gathered a new line-up around them, comprised of vocalist Max Leclerqc (formerly of Magic Kingdom), drummer Pierre-Emmanuel "Piwee" Desfray and bassist Thomas "Tom" Cesario.
The new album was shopped and soon caught the attention of Austrian based label Napalm Records. For France, the album was licensed by Season of Mist and in Asia, Avalon/marquee is the label that releases the band's music.
"Fall Of An Empire" was released during the spring of 2007 and it was followed by a European tour with Kamelot and Leave's Eyes, opening the eyes of the European fans.
After the tour and the awesome media feedback to the album, Philippe and the rest of the band parted ways - yet again, due to "internal problems". Philippe has always been the sole-composer of the Fairlyand material, thus it wasn't a big problem for him to change the line-up again.
Working on the new material, Philippe realised that it was time to take a completely different approach to the whole "band"-setting, and he decided on enlisting the services of guest-musicians from around the world to participate in the next album. Musically it is still 100% Fairyland, just with an added bunch of amazing guests to complete the line-up. And thus "Score To A New Beginning" was born :)



The release dates for FAIRYLAND's upcoming album, "Score To A New Beginning" have been announced:
21.04.09 - Japan & rest of Asia (Marquee/Avalon)
29.04.09 - Finland & Spain (Napalm Records)
30.04.09 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, France, Italy, Sweden (Napalm Records)
04.05.09 - Rest of Europe (Napalm Records)
05.19.09 - USA (Napalm US)
01-Opening Credits
02-Across the Endless Sea Part II
03-Assault on the Shore
04-Master of the Waves
05-A Soldier's Letter
06-Godsent
07-At the Gates of Morken
08-Rise of the Giants
09-Score to a New Beginning
10-End Credits



I've just added a demo version of Master of the Waves. This is the usual kind of file the musicians get before working on a song. Fake guitars, my voice as a reference and Charlène Mottée's female vocals on this one as well. It sounds horrible, but I think it should have its place here, just so people can see the evolution of a song. Enjoy.