Artist description Zandelle is Power/Speed Metal Band based out of Brooklyn NY. Zandelle's style is much like early QueensRyche, but with the new record comming out... Zandelle is going towards styles like Iced Earth, HammerFall, Stratovarious.

Music Style HeavyMetal /PowerMetal

Musical Influences QueensRyche, Savatage, Iced Earth, Stratovarious, Hammerfall

Similar Artists Early QueensRyche with a heavier touch. But with our new album comming out, we sound like Stratovarious and Iced Earth

Artist History Zandelle came into existence in November of 1995 when George Tsalikis (formerly of Gothic Knights) decided to return to the music scene after a 2 year departure, and record some of his material. Originally, this was going to be a small solo project for George. In fact, only four of the six songs were going to be recorded. There was never going to be a CD, nor was the material meant for distribution. He contacted two old friends (Amit Lahav and Kirk Passomonti) who agreed to help him out with the recording. Although George attempted to find a bassist for the project, none was available. George, being a guitarist himself, then decided he would take on the task of playing bass for the recording. The trio rehearsed for only two weeks together prior to going into the studio to begin laying down tracks. During that time, it was decided that Ecstasy (a song originally written by George while he was still in Gothic Knights) and Nightmare (which was written only two weeks prior to the recording) would be added to the recording. During the period of the recording, George was introduced to Denis Gulbey of Sentinel Steel. Denis informed George that if his material was any good, he would distribute the recording for him. At this time, George decided to release a CD rather than a tape. The chemistry formed between the band members during the recording also inspired them to continue this one-time solo project and turn it into a full-time band. Unfortunately for the Zandelle, Amit was working toward the medical degree which prevented him from being in a band full-time. George and Kirk then began looking for drummers and bassists. In the beginning of the summer (1996), after having auditioned a multitude of musicians who didn't quite have what George and Kirk were looking for (primarily, talent) someone answered one of their ads for a bassist. He was given a copy of the recording and in only one week's time blew them away with his amazing skills on the bass guitar. The bassist was none other than John Lasanta. At the time, they were working with one drummer who didn't last very long. So, George, Kirk and John were left with the dilema of finding another drummer. As it turned out, John also played drums. As a result, John moved over to take over as drummer for the band, while George took on the additional task of playing bass with the understanding that they would continue to look for a bass player. By the end of the summer, they came in contact with Dave Pando. Dave was looking to develop his own promotions agency which focused on Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Dave went to see the band rehearse once and immediately decided to promote for them. Zandelle made their debut performance in October of 1996 at a club in Queens NY called Castle Heights. By the end of 1996, the trio was becoming pessimistic with the idea of finding a bassist. They started to consider other options, the top one being the introduction of a second guitarist to the band in the hopes that it would both fill up the sound as well as allow for greater creativity when it came to song-writing. It was Dave Pando who then introduced them to Anthony Maglio. Anthony immediately clicked with the band, both musically as well as personally. Having been influenced by heavier, thrashier bands, Anthony added a new dimension to Zandelle's sound. Shortly afterward, Kirk decided he would pursue other projects and so he left Zandelle. John then brought in Walter K who happened to be an old friend of his, to replace Kirk on guitar. After a few months of working with Walter, the rest of the band realized that he didn't quite click with the rest of them and so he was asked to leave. At the time this took place, Zandelle was in the studio recording their second CD, this one a full length album with twelve tracks. Word went out immediately that they were in search of another guitarist. Fortunately, Zandelle had developed quite a name in the two years of its existance which made it quite easy for them to find another guitarist. Joe Hartoularos, who was actually a friend of the band asked to audition. Because of his age (he was only sixteen at the time) the members of Zandelle did not think he would be at the level they would like a member to be. To their surprise, Joe proved that he was not only at the level they were hoping to get, but better. He instantly impressed them with both his rhythm as well as his lead playing. After a second audition, Joe was accepted into Zandelle and began laying down his portion of the guitar work for the upcoming CD. The CD entitled Shadows of Reality was released in the Spring of 1998 and brought Zandelle to new heights in the Metal World. The band received rave reviews for their new album which began instantly selling well especially in the European market. But this did not deter Zandelle from continuing on with their song- writing and live performances. Shortly after the albums release Zandelle found themselves at Birch Hill nightclub in New Jersey where they shared the stage with none other than Atlantic Recording Artists SAVATAGE. This was only the beginning for Zandelle's rise. Two months later Zandelle was asked to play at the Voodoo Lounge in Bayside Queens with ZEBRA. With these two successful shows under their belts, the members of Zandelle headed back into the recording studio to lay down two songs for an upcoming compilation CD under Catalyst Promotions. The band decided to record Delusions, one of their new songs since the release of Shadows of Reality, as well as a reworked version of Angel, a song from the 1996 self-titled debut album. Sadly enough, during the recording, John announced to the band that he was not looking to take his musical career to any serious level. He was only interested in playing the local scene and nothing more. Although this upset the rest of Zandelle, they knew that they had no other choice but to replace their long time friend. Fortunately, at around the same time, another local band who happened to be friends with Zandelle was also breaking up. Zandelle got in touch with that band's drummer who showed immediate interest in joining. After a successful jam session, Bob Delmini took over as Zandelle's new drummer. The band's success increased dramatically since then. They performed eight live shows in a two month time period which included the 1999 Milwaukee Metal Fest, 1999 Powermad Festival held in Baltimore, the opening spot for Enuff Z'nuff at the Voodoo Lounge, as well as the 1999 SAVACON - the first ever Savatage convension where they paid homage to one of Metal's greatest bands. Zandelle has since also opened for Anvil and are in the works of completing material for their upcoming album which they hope to release in 2000.

Group Members Vocals and bass guitar-George Tsalikis guitars-Anthony Maglio guitars-T.W. Durfy drums-Bob Delmini

Instruments Bob Delmini plays- Pearl Drums, Sabian Cymbals. Anthony Maglio plays-Peavy and Jackson guitars. T.W. Durfy plays-Peavy and MusicMan guitars. George Tsalikis plays-Harkey and Ibanez guitars.

Albums Shadows of Reality - 1998 Zandelle - Self titled debut (1996)

Press Reviews http://www.gti.net/korax/Zandelle/zandrev.htmhttp://www.roughedge.com/live/powermad2000.htmhttp://f24.parsimony.net/forum54965/messages/5098.htm

Additional Info Zandelle will be on the next QueensRyche tribute album which should hit stores this summer! To get Zandelle's albums just go to www.geocities.com/zandelle

Location BROOKLYN, NY - USA

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