Haggard () is a German symphonic metal band founded in 1989 that combines classical music and early music with metal.
Contents
History
Haggard was founded in 1989 and originally played death metal. They changed their musical style after their first demo tape, Introduction in 1992, becoming a band with symphonic melodies and classical instruments but folk themes. The album And Thou Shalt Trust... the Seer marked their breakthrough in 1997. After their second album Awaking the Centuries (the life of the prophet Nostradamus), they toured through Mexico twice.
Just before their album Awaking the Centuries was released, the group had its highest number of musicians at 21. All their songs are written by vocalist and guitarist Asis Nasseri.
In 2004, they released their third album Eppur Si Muove about the life of Italian scholar Galileo Galilei, sentenced to house arrest for heresy by the Catholic Church for supporting Copernicus' claim that the Earth revolved around the Sun. In 2021 the album was elected by Metal Hammer as the 23rd best symphonic metal album.
The fourth album, Tales of Ithiria, was released in 2008 and is based on a fantasy story.
Since 2008, Italian bassist Giacomo Astorri has collaborated with Haggard as a stable member. Besides his work with Haggard, Astorri has played in various metal bands, including The Dogma, Infernal Angels (guitar), ZAP (bass), and is currently a member of the Italian doom metal band Stryx (https://www.stryxband.com), whose debut album is in preparation. In addition to his music career, Astorri is also a professional concert and event photographer.
In 2010, the band had its first concert along with a symphonic orchestra. Haggard played together with the philharmonic orchestra of Plovdiv in the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv on 19 April 2010.
Although a new album with the title of Grimm was originally announced for the end of 2012, the album has been postponed indefinitely, and the band has been inactive ever since, apart from occasional concerts.
Members
Current members
Asis Nasseri – vocals, guitar (1991–present)
Giacomo Astorri – bass
Janika Groß – soprano
Frank Schumacher – tenor vocals
Claudio Quarta – guitar
Aline Deinert – violin
Ivica Kramheller – double bass
Lisa Hellmich – viola
Anne Eberlein – viola
Cosmin Nechita – violin
Johannes Schleiermacher – violoncello (cello)
Florinda Hoffmann – violoncello (cello)
Hans Wolf – piano, keyboards, organ, harpsichord
Ingrid Nietzer – piano, keyboards
Licia Missori – piano, keyboards
Maurizio Guolo – drums, percussion (2012–present)
Stefana Sabau – oboe
Catalina Popa – flute
Veronika Kramheller – soprano
Michel Schumm – drums, percussion
Michel Stapf – violin
Past members
In addition to the 16 band members, more than 10 guest artists and musicians were involved in the making of the album Eppur si muove.
Discography
Demos
Introduction (1992)
Progressive (1994)
Once... Upon a December's Dawn (1995)
Live albums
Awaking the Gods: Live in Mexico (2001)
DVDs and videos
In a Pale Moon's Shadow (1998)
Awaking the Gods: Live in Mexico (DVD/VHS) (2001)