Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the signing of MIND KEY, whose new album “MK III - Aliens In Wonderland” is planned for release in 2019.
Mind Key is a progressive metal band formed in Napoli, Italy in 1999 by Dario De Cicco (keyboards) and Emanuele Colella (guitars). The two wanted to create a band that melded the sound of bands like Dream Theater, Symphony X, Evergrey, and Pain of Salvation with a songwriting approach inspired by '80/'90s hard rock style.
Mind Key issued the album “Journey Of A Rough Diamond” in July 2004 on Frontiers. The line-up also included Mark Basile (currently of DGM) on vocals, Raffaele Castaldo on bass, and Andrea Stipa on drums. The band played various gigs in support of the album’s release, including shows with Dream Theater, Vision Divine, and Pendragon, among others. Mind Key then began recording their second album, “Pulse for a Graveheart”. Released in 2009, the album saw the band simplifying their songwriting and introducing new singer Aurelio Fierro. Fierro was able to showcase his immense vocal potential on the album, which can be described as a powerful mix of Ronnie James Dio, David Coverdale, and Jorn Lande.
“Pulse for a Graveheart” - out via Frontiers - grew the band's fanbase. MK toured for many shows to support the album and played live with awesome bands like EDGUY, VANDEN PLAS, EUROPE and HAMMERFALL. But unfortunately, life got in the way and it was necessary to wait a few years before Mind Key could regroup. When they were able to reconvene, it was with new members: bassist Lucio Grilli (ex-Soul Secret) and drummer Mirko De Maio (The Flower Kings, Hangarvain). Work commenced on the writing and recording for their new record then.
Keyboardist Dario De Cicco says, “I think ‘MK III - Aliens In Wonderland’ can be considered our most mature album. Song-writing is more melodic, hooks are stronger, and the album is more song-oriented than ever. However, we certainly have not forgotten about our beloved instrumental interweaving, in perfect prog-metal style! This is the key third album, and I am confident this record will bring us back with our best musical material ever.”
Guitarist Emanuele Colella adds, "I think that we have finally found our sound and path. In terms of genre, heaviness and melody, this album is, in my opinion, a balanced mix and a fine link of the previous ones. If I should define it, I would call it like melodic prog metal with a strong hard rock flavour.”
The label tentatively plans to release the album in the early summer of 2019.
ONLINE
LINEUP
Elio Fierro Jr.: vocals
Dario de Cicco: keyboards
Emanuele Colella: guitars
Lucio Grilli: Bass guitar
Mirkko De Maio: Drums
BIOGRAPHY
MIND KEY started in early 1999 thanks to Dario De Cicco (keyboards) and Emanuele Colella (guitars), who decided to create a band with the precise task to melt the sound of Prog Metal bands such as Dream Theater, Symphony X, Evergrey and Pain of Salvation with a newer, mature and more song oriented approach inspired by 80/90’s Hard Rock style.
After the new awesome drummer Andrea Stipa joined the band, the guys immediately started writing togheter a lot of new songs for the first demo entitled "Welcome to another reality" that was recorded in 2000. The demo brought them to the attention of Frontiers Records, who released the band’s debut “Journey Of A Rough Diamond” in July 2004.
MK line up also included Mark Basile (who gave a great songwriting contribution) on vocals and Raffaele Castaldo on bass. Just before the release of the album, Mark Basile left the group and in preparation of the subsequent tour dates, the guys met for the first time Aurelio Fierro Jr. a singer with a vast experience, who was able to give some splendid performances especially in the gigs that MK landed as support of Dream Theater for the Italian “Train Of Thought Tour 2004”. Mike Portnoy in particular said: “These guys sound really excellent!”
MK played more live dates in support of Vision Divine, Pendragon and also appeared at the Progpower Europe Festival with more dates in Poland, Switzerland, Holland, Germany and France. During the Polish dates, a Live DVD was recorded “Habemus Poland”, with the singer Giorgio Adamo as frontman. However he soon left to make space for the return of Aurelio Fierro, who was a more suitable choice for Emanuele, Dario & Andrea on the basis of the strength of the new material written for the follow up album.
Mind Key then began the recording of the second album “Pulse for a Graveheart”, simplifying their songwriting and giving the chance to Fierro to showcase his immense vocal potential which can be described as a powerful mix of Ronnie James Dio, David Coverdale and Jorn Lande. Just before the release of the new stunning album, MK took the decision to hound out their historical bassist Raffaele Castaldo 'cause intolerable personal and musical matters. It was a critical but necessary decision. But the guys immediately show their "ace in the hole" and in late summer introduce the new great bass player LUCIO GRILLI (ex Soul Secret) who has enthusiastically taken his place in the band!
The album was later mixed and mastered by none other than Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Angra, Krokus, Place Vendome etc.) to ensure the best sounding quality. “Pulse for a Graveheart” finally sees the light in July 2009, with some amazing guest musicians appearing such as Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Alice Cooper), who plays a keyboard solo on “Citizen of Greed”, Reb Beach (Whitesnake, Winger) on “Now Until Forever” and Tom Englund from Evergrey, dueting with Elio Fierro on “Graveheart”.
In September 2010 the band parts from the historical drummer Andrea Stipa. It was a hard decision, but the best choice to continue the band's musical path. What Mind Key needed is exactly what Mind Key found: MIRKKO DE MAIO, an awesome musician with a great energy and a very very Rock soul.
DISCOGRAPHY
Journey Of A Rough Diamond - 2004
Pulse for a Graveheart - 2009
MK III - Aliens In Wonderland - 2019