Artist description TRANSCENDENCE is a heavy outfit with progressive influences. Styles range from dark ambient to extreme heavy with soaring vocals. The songs rely on melody, harmony, and chord changes with numerous hooks.

Music Style Progressive Metal

Musical Influences Rush, Fate's Warning, Dream Theater, Queensryche, Pink Floyd, Yes, ELP, Helloween, Iron Maiden, and Savatage.

Similar Artists See list above ^

Artist History TRANSCENDENCE - the history... beginnings... Kirk Wood and John Von Rosenberg had been in a local heavy outfit which released one CD prior to disbanding due to personal issues. Kirk and John Von decided to trek out again and find an established band in need of a rhythm section. They came across an experimental band called O'clock in the classifieds and contacted one John Howser, but after much consideration Kirk and John Von decided that they needed to start from scratch and put their own group together. Enter guitarist, Jeff Ford. After one meeting and a push-start of Jeff's car, Kirk and John Von invited Jeff to join the fledgling band. The next goal: finding a singer... After trying out many singers (one claimed to be the Metal Master and turned out to be the Metal Loser), John Von met Greg Drew. Greg was hosting a Karaoke night and John Von liked what he heard. He invited Greg to come out. The trio showed Greg their song "No Trace." Greg picked up the mike and blew them all away. They knew at that point the search for a singer was over, but something was still missing. Kirk, on a whim, dug up John Howser's number. He contacted him to see if he available. When they gave Howser "Filtered Lenses" to try on for size, they found the missing element. The four members agreed that Howser was what they were looking for to complete their sound and asked him to join the group. This last year has been a crucial period for Transcendence. The new rehearsal complex, completed in the summer of 1998, gave way to the recording of their first album: "The Meridian Project." Since then, Transcendence has been juggling their time between promotion, tour rehearsal, and the beginnings of the continuation of this adventure...

Group Members Greg Drew (Vocals); Kirk Wood (Bass); Jeff Ford (Guitars); John Howser (Keyboards)

Instruments Guitars by Ibanez (John Patrucci Custom); Basses by Daion and Yamaha TRB5; Drums by Yamaha (Maple Custom), Cymbals by Zildjian; Keys by Roland, Korg and Kurzweil; Cabinets by Crate and Marshall, and all Mic's are Shure.

Albums The Meridian Project (1999), 3 Stones (2001)

Press Reviews "Transcendence has released easily the best self produced demo I have ever heard. With a little support and some distribution, this band could become a major force in Progressive Metal..." Michael Rosser, Promethian Crusade. "I, for one, will be awaiting the announcement of their first live show in the metroplex and, if you need a good kick in the ass, you will be too..." Jeff Dennis, Harder Beat

Additional Info For more information on TRANSCENDENCE call 972-953-0499

Location Irving, TX - USA

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