Ion Vein

Biography

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Ion Vein (1997-present): a Progressive Metal band from Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA.

he general attitude of Ion Vein is to not sit around and let things happen, but rather to make them happen. When guitar and keyboardist Chris Lotesto heard Fates Warning for the first time he decided to have his own band and sought out musicians of the same mind. It took some time, but in the fall of 1997 he teamed up with Scott Lang (drums), Brian Gordon (bass), John Malufka (guitar) and Russ Klimczak (vocals). They kicked off life under the influence of Iron Maiden and Dream Theater with the release of a 2-song sampler. The highlight of their early years was the playing at Baltimore's Powermad festival,and then having the distinction of being the first band in the past two years to be invited back. They had also received spots on various tribute albums like, A Call To Irons 2...Tribute to Iron Maiden by Dwell Records, Awaken The Demon... tribute to Ronnie James Dio, Land Of The Wizard...tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, as well as tributes to King Diamond and Queensryche. Ion Vein is a name given to the band by a former drummer while trying to describe their sound. "ION" meaning "charged" (like electricity) and "Vein" representing the body - Charging the body.

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In 1999 their efforts would come together in the release of their melodic but powerful premier album, Beyond Tomorrow. It came across as heavily influenced by Fates Warning, early Queensryche, and Crimson Glory. The professional, melodic and solid feel made this album one worth talking about in underground circles, sending this band off to a good start. Brian Gordon who had played on the first album, left in March 2000 and was replaced by Jonathon Quigley by July. But that relationship wasn't to last, and they parted ways with Quigley in October 2001. Gordon was asked to return to fill in the bass parts for the recording of the next album, Reigning Memories (2003) with producer Neil Kernon; he obliged in Nov. 2001-Feb. 2002, but did not rejoin the group permanently.

The next chapter in the band's history would be in 2004 when Reigning Memories was re-issued by their new UK based record company, 'Now And Then Records' with Brian Gordon rejoining the band on bass.

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