Haggard () is a German symphonic metal band founded in 1989 that combines classical music and early music with metal.
Contents
History
Haggard started in 1989 as a death metal band. After their 1992 demo, Introduction, they switched to a style featuring symphonic melodies and classical instruments with folk themes. The 1997 album And Thou Shalt Trust... the Seer was their breakthrough. After their second, Nostradamus-based album, Awaking the Centuries, they toured through Mexico twice.
Before the release of Awaking the Centuries, the group had its highest number of musicians at 21. Singer and guitarist Asis Nasseri writes all their songs.
In 2004, they released their third album, Eppur Si Muove, about the life of Italian scholar Galileo Galilei, arrested for heresy for supporting Copernicus' claim that the Earth revolved around the Sun. Metal Hammer elected the album the 23rd best symphonic metal album in 2021.
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 Haggard, Astorri has played in various metal bands, including The Dogma, Infernal Angels (guitar), ZAP (bass), and Italian doom metal band Stryx. Astorri is a professional concert and event photographer.
In 2010, the band played its first concert with a symphonic orchestra. Haggard performed with the philharmonic orchestra of Plovdiv in Plovdiv on 19 April 2010.
They announced the album Grimm for the end of 2012 but postponed it indefinitely. The band has been inactive 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)