Artist description My musical universe is a cross between classical elements from different centuries and progressive metal that display complexity and power.

Music Style Instrumental Metal

Musical Influences Neoclassical, classical music, metal

Similar Artists Symphony X

Artist History Only 24 years old, Stephan has already behind himself an experience of 20 years of guitar practicing. In fact, all started for him at the age of five when this young Frenchman was offered his first guitar by his brother. The first song he learned to play was not a nursery rhyme, but a standard of Alice Cooper I'm eighteen. Nine years later, the discovery of Yngwie Malmsteen was a real revelation for him and from that moment on Stephan knew he would become a professional musician. Thus, he forms his first band and start 'flirting' with the 'extreme' styles, such as grind and death metal. At the same time, he starts taking some guitar lessons (which will last for 3 years) learning absolutely everything from the repertoire of the Swedish Virtuoso. At the age of 18, Stephan stops his studies and takes one year off to practice his instrument ten hours a day. Then, during one year, he exiles to CMCN in Nancy, the most famous French institution for musicians. When he returns home to Montpellier, he starts digesting the accumulated knowledge and widening his horizons by listening to all the music styles, from classical (particularly Baroque music and Mozart) to jazz fusion. It is in that period that he discovers among others Shawn Lane and Allan Holdsworth but moreover, he discovers technique. Stephan also learns theory of music and thrusts into many works dealing with this subject. Harmony in contemporary music, namely the one of Bela Bartok (whose solo compositions for violin he particularly appreciates) opens new perspectives to him, completing his already very good knowledge of theory of music. In 1996, Stephan publishes his first demo “Visions”, which helps him to be endorsed by a few instrument companies. The encounter with Yngwie Malmsteen (for whom he opens a concert in 1998) coincides with the moment when he starts to work on vocal compositions and not only on instrumental ones. In September 1999, Stephan makes 8 compositions that he sends to the label Nothing To Say (N.T.S.). Being interested in them, the label discusses with him the possibilities of forming a band which would give life to his compositions. For that project, Stephan wants to work with Vitalij Kulprij, the Ukrainian keyboard virtuoso of Artension, with whom he shares many musical tastes. Thus, Stephan goes at Vitalij's to Philadelphia. They immediately hit off so well that many people think they are brothers. They record one demo in a town's rap studio. Unfortunately, that collaboration does not come off, because of contract and other different reasons. Yet, that is going to be just a postponement of their working together, since they plan to maybe make an instrumental album. At last, it is Richard Anderson, the composer of the Swedish band Majestic who will play the keyboard solos' parts and only them, since all the other keyboard parts on this first album are programmed and interpreted by Stephan. Dirk Bruinenberg, from Dutch heavy metal act Elegy is going to be chosen for his very particular drum interpretations in which he shows both, precision and speed especially playing on large double drums. Franck Hermany, a friend of Stephan will play bass guitar. Apart from their technical qualities Stephan also sees to recruit those musicians with whom he gets on very well. For this project, Stephan wants to work with one Swedish singer, such as Goran Edman or Tomas Wikstrom. Yet, in June 2000, he goes to the concert of Pink Cream 69 and literally falls for the voice of David Readman, even though his way of interpreting is rather different from the one of Adagio. Stephan and David have a long talk and David finally accepts to get involved in this project after having appreciated their music as well as the personality of this Frenchman. Therefore, his initial objective to recruit the musicians who would bring in their own personalities has been achieved. The understanding between the musicians is perfect which forms a good base from which a real band will spring. Not being pessimist at all, Stephan does appreciate the dramatic aspect of music and therefore he prefers key minor. That is the reason why he chooses the name Adagio which for him is a movement that allows to better express the notion of dramatic in a harmony in key minor. Stephan's music is a mixture of metal and classical music from different periods (from Baroque to contemporary music). The influences? Beside Yngwie Malmsteen, although the format of his compositions is not really something Stephan tends towards. Because of his progressive approach and his experiments with rhythm, it seems he is rather closer to a band like Symphony X or to some other metal groups which are more symphonic. The influence of oriental music can be also noticed on this CD in particular concerning the harmony, which brings about a surprising and rather new effect. The instrumental adaptation of Immigrant Song, the Led Zeppelin classic, which appears on this album, illustrates this attraction of his for Orient. Produced by, nowadays inevitable, Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Vanden Plas, DC Cooper, etc.), this record perfectly reflects Stephan's personality and also the one of other musicians of Adagio. In that regard, the vocal interpretation of David Readman is remarkable breathing in Sanctus Ignis an incredible energy. No doubt that this first album, both traditional and innovating will strongly mark the year 2001 and will offer to its creators a privileged position in the world of today's metal music.

Instruments Guitar

Albums Visions (solo); Sanctus Ignis (with Adagio)

Press Reviews Hard'n Heavy; Guitarist; Guitar'n Bass; Kerrang; Young Guitar; Burrn; Hard Rock; ...

Location PARIS, IDF - France

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