(Power/Progressive Metal) [CD] Black Symphony - Black Symphony (Ltd. Edition) (1998)/Tears Of Blood (Ltd. Edition) (2001), FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

01 - Never
02 - Breathe
03 - End Of Your Life
04 - Are You Crying
05 - The Poor - The Edge
06 - The Wind
07 - Listen
08 - Period Of Mourning
09 - The Black Symphony

A technically minded Progressive Power Metal band. Although BLACK SYMPHONY's history had been turbulent the debut release 'Believe" afforded the band a bona fide success story, shifting over 50'000 copies worldwide. BLACK SYMPHONY was the brainchild of Canadian guitarist Rick Plester, the 1993 incarnation of the band being fronted by none other than ex-RIOT man RHETT FORRESTER. The rhythm section was made up of erstwhile RELISH bassist R.J. Killenger and drummer Tim Waterson. Just six months after making his exit from BLACK SYMPHONY Forrester would be shot dead.

The group underwent numerous line-up shuffles prior to laying down the 'Believe' album in 1996. BLACK SYMPHONY's line up for this release comprised Plester, singer Mike Peirce, bassist Robbie Bennett, keyboard player Robert Vasicek and drummer Jeff Martin. The latter of course known for his work with SURGICAL STEEL, BADLANDS and RACER X. Bennett's place was taken a week after recording by former FORTE man Rev Jones.

The album, although it emerged in 1996 through the Nuela label, was not sanctioned by the band. Officially the record would be issued by the German Rising Sun label in April 1998. Touring in Europe witnessed festival performances at the renowned Dutch 'Dynamo' festival and southern Germany's 'Bang Your Head' event. BLACK SYMPHONY would also act as official support to DIO. A major influx of sales would come the band's way due to their music being played as part of a national TV hockey event with an estimated 70 million viewers having watched in total.

Martin would later join veteran British Rockers UFO and Plester assembled an all new look band. Jones maintained his position but in would come ex-MENACE and SKITZOTIK singer Ric Plamondon, keyboard player Mike Burstrom and former BLACK N' BLUE drummer Pete Holmes.

A limited run first edition of the February 2002 album 'Tears Of Blood' came complete with a bonus CD of four cover songs comprising of 'Behind Blue Eyes' by THE WHO, 'Smoke On The Water' by DEEP PURPLE, Zero The Hero' by BLACK SABBATH and QUEENSRYCHE's 'Deliverance'.

Jones found himself also ensconced in the MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP for the German guitar guru's 2001 opus 'Be Aware Of Scorpions'. By April of 2004 Jones would be pulling road duty with Nu-Metal band FUEL. Also of interest to BLACK SYMPHONY fans would be the announcement of a brand new musical union comprising Jones, Rick Plester, Pete Holmes, the MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP and VINNIE MOORE credited Wayne Findlay on keyboards with CHILDREN vocalist Wade Williams.

In early 2005 Rev Jones guested on SEVEN WITCHES guitarist JACK FROST's solo album 'Out In The Cold'. That May both Jones and Holmes resigned from the MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP. Together with Rick Plester, the BLACK SYMPHONY triumvirate fired up another project band billed as BARNEY FIFER as Rev Jones also engaged in separate recordings with WARRANT guitarist Joey Allen. However, by July it seemed that energies were being directed into a full blown BLACK SYMPHONY reunion and on 26th August at Mr. Cues in Lancaster the revitalised band took to the stage as openers to GREAT WHITE. The line-up for this gig comprised singer Andrew Freeman, a scene veteran of BLOCKK 16, THIRTY STONES and the GEORGE LYNCH band, guitarist Rick Plester, bassist Rev Jones, keyboard player Robert Vasicek and drummer Pete Holmes.

In January of 2006 Randy Reeman took over the BLACK SYMPHONY frontman position. Rev Jones involved himself in a Los Angeles Progressive Rock project CHINA BLUE involving SHY and SIAM singer TONY MILLS, ALIBI guitarist Michael Riesenbeck, keyboard player Eric Ragno of TAKARA and the VOX TEMPUS and drummer Zane Peterson of MALICIOUS and CONDITIONED RESPONSE

- Rick Plester / guitar, keys
- Pete Holmes / drums
- Rev Jones / bass
- Ric Plamondon / lead vocals
- Mattias Burstrom / keys