Difference between revisions of "Pegazus"

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===Band Information===
===Band Information===


For a short time in the late 90s Pegazus was one of Australia's most prominent metal acts, signed to a considerable deal with the world's largest heavy metal record label and with a prominent profile in Europe. Since then the band's fortunes have been somewhat mixed but Pegazus continues to enjoy a substantial following.
Pegazus is a power metal band formed by Johnny and Robbie Stoj in Melbourne in 1993. Justin Fleming was found the same year and Dave King joined as bassist in 1994. The self-titled debut was released in 1995 and shortly afterward Danny Cecati replaced Fleming. Originally released independently by the band, ''Wings of Destiny'' was released internationally by Nuclear Blast soon after. In August 1998, Pegazus played its first shows outside of Melbourne, travelling to Europe where they played on two different stages at Wacken Open Air festival, a spot on the main stage and another in the black metal tent when '''Darkseed''' withdrew from the show at the eleventh hour. King had already left the band at this point however and was temporarily replaced by Eric Martins. A brief return to Australia was followed by several dates in Europe with '''HammerFall'''.


Pegazus was formed by the Stoj brothers (Johnny on guitar and Robbie on drums) in Melbourne in the early 90s. The band began with a tasteful if somewhat generic style of traditional-sounding metal along '''Judas Priest''' lines and with bassist Dave King and vocalist Justin Fleming recorded their debut album in 1995. Shortly after the album was released, Danny Cecati joined and gave the Pegazus vocal attack a much needed focus and definition. Work began on the follow up album and in the meantime the band shopped around for a record deal. Late in 1997 came a breakthrough for Pegazus when Nuclear Blast, on the strength of a demoed version of the album Johnny Stoj had posted them, snapped up the band for its growing worldwide roster. ''Wings of Destiny'', originally released independently by the band, was re-packaged with much stronger artwork and issued internationally, picking up strong advance sales and healthy reviews.
By late in the year, Pegazus had begun working on album number three. Cory Betts joined the band in January 1999. The ''Breaking the Chains'' album was released late the same year. In March 2000 it was announced that Cecati had left Pegazus under conflicting circumstances. In late September Rob Thompson joined the band as lead vocalist and Pegazus completed another album, ''The Headless Horseman''. Betts left the band after finishing the album to dedicate his time to [[Black Majesty]]. That band's guitarist Hanny Mohammed replaced Betts for live shows for the next year or so. Robbie Stoj was forced to quit the band in September 2003 after sustaining a hand injury; Pegazus recorded a live album in mid-2003 with Bernie Goldstein filling in on drums.
In August 1998, Pegazus played its first shows outside of Melbourne, travelling to Europe where they played on two different stages at Germany's legendary Wacken Open Air festival, a spot on the main stage and another in the black metal tent when '''Darkseed''' withdrew from the show at the eleventh hour. King had already left the band at this point however and was temporarily replaced by Eric Martins. A brief return to Australia was followed by several dates in Europe with '''HammerFall'''.


By late in the year, Pegazus had begun working on album number three and auditioning new bass players. Cory Betts joined the band in January 1999. The ''Breaking the Chains'' album was released late the same year.
In late 2003 Pegazus and Nuclear Blast parted ways acrimoniously with the band issuing ''Live! - Thunder Down Under'' independently. Ange Sotiro and former '''Black Majesty''' bassist Joe Fata joined Pegazus in 2004.  


After the album's release Pegazus underwent considerable upheaval and controversy. In March 2000 it was announced that Cecati had been removed from the group apparently due to a conflict of interest as he was also working and recording with [[Anarion]], although Cecati claimed he left of his own accord due to a feeling of creative enstiflement and general lack of activity by the band. He has since gone on to join [[Eyefear]].
During 2007, Thompson suffered personal tragedy when his daughter died in a car accident. Betts re-joined the band following the departure of Joe Fata, but in April 2008 Thompson left Pegazus. Polish label Metal Mind reissued ''Wings of Destiny'', ''Breaking the Chains'' and ''The Headless Horseman'' with bonus tracks including the ''Metalbound'' demo and various cover songs. Justin Flemming performed with the band at a show in Sydney in early 2009 before being announced as Thompson's permanent replacement. After more than a year of silence, Pegazus announced their first new album in almost a decade in early 2011, ''In the Name of Metal''. A European tour was announced, but was postponed, then cancelled.
 
In late September 2000 Rob Thompson joined the band as lead vocalist and Pegazus completed another album, ''The Headless Horseman'', perhaps their most mature recording to date. Betts left the band after finishing the album to dedicate his time to [[Black Majesty]]. '''Black Majesty''' and ex-[[Catwitch]] guitarist Hanny Mohammed replaced Betts for live shows for the next year or so. Robbie Stoj was forced to quit the band in September 2003 after sustaining a hand injury which restricts his playing; Pegazus recorded a live album in mid-2003 with Bernie Goldstein filling in on drums.
 
In late 2003 Pegazus and Nuclear Blast parted ways somewhat acrimoniously with the band claiming a lack of support from the label and issuing ''Live! - Thunder Down Under'' independently. Sotiro and former '''Black Majesty''' bassist Fata joined Pegazus in 2004. Pegazus has continued to play live infrequently but it is unlikely they will regain the heights they enjoyed in 98 – 99.
 
During 2007, Thompson suffered personal tragedy when his daughter died in a car accident. Betts re-joined the band following the departure of Joe Fata, but in April 2008 Thompson left Pegazus. Polish label Metal Mind reissued ''Wings of Destiny'', ''Breaking the Chains'' and ''The Headless Horseman'' with bonus tracks including the "Metalbound" demo and various cover songs. Justin Flemming performed with the band at a show in Sydney in early 2009 before being announced as Thompson's permanent replacement. After more than a year of silence, Pegazus announced their first new album in almost a decade in early 2011. ''In the Name of Metal'' is due in mid-2011. A European tour was announced, but has since been postponed for undisclosed reasons.


===Discography===
===Discography===

Revision as of 15:39, 5 March 2022

Pegazus
OriginMelbourne, VIC
GenresPower metal
Years active1993 - present
LabelsMetal Warriors, Nuclear Blast, Battlegod
Associated actsBlack Majesty, Eyefear, Anarion, Catwitch, Turret, Horizons Edge, Katana Cartel, Drop Forged
MembersJohnny Stoj, Andy Sharp, Matt Ientile, Joe Stanley
Past membersAxel Winter, Cory Betts, Ange Sotiro, Rob Thompson, Joe Fata, Bernie Goldstein, Robbie Stoj, Hanny Mohammed, Danny Cecati, Dave King, Jusitn Flemming

Band Members

  • Current Line-Up
    • Johnny Stoj (guitar)
    • Andy Sharp (drums)
    • Matt Ientile (bass)
    • Joe Stanley (vocals)
  • Former Members
    • Axel Winter (vocals) 2013 - 2015
    • Cory Betts (bass) 1999 - 2001, 2008 - 2013
    • Ange Sotiro (drums) 2004 - 2014
    • Justin Flemming (vocals) 1993 - 1995, 2009 - 2013
    • Rob Thompson (vocals) 2000 - 2008
    • Joe Fata (bass) 2004 - 2007
    • Bernie Goldstein (drums) 2003
    • Robbie Stoj (drums) 1993 - 2003
    • Hanny Mohammed (bass) 2002 - 2003
    • Danny Cecati (vocals) 1995 - 2000
    • Dave King (bass) 1993 - 1998

Formed

Melbourne, VIC, 1993

Band Information

Pegazus is a power metal band formed by Johnny and Robbie Stoj in Melbourne in 1993. Justin Fleming was found the same year and Dave King joined as bassist in 1994. The self-titled debut was released in 1995 and shortly afterward Danny Cecati replaced Fleming. Originally released independently by the band, Wings of Destiny was released internationally by Nuclear Blast soon after. In August 1998, Pegazus played its first shows outside of Melbourne, travelling to Europe where they played on two different stages at Wacken Open Air festival, a spot on the main stage and another in the black metal tent when Darkseed withdrew from the show at the eleventh hour. King had already left the band at this point however and was temporarily replaced by Eric Martins. A brief return to Australia was followed by several dates in Europe with HammerFall.

By late in the year, Pegazus had begun working on album number three. Cory Betts joined the band in January 1999. The Breaking the Chains album was released late the same year. In March 2000 it was announced that Cecati had left Pegazus under conflicting circumstances. In late September Rob Thompson joined the band as lead vocalist and Pegazus completed another album, The Headless Horseman. Betts left the band after finishing the album to dedicate his time to Black Majesty. That band's guitarist Hanny Mohammed replaced Betts for live shows for the next year or so. Robbie Stoj was forced to quit the band in September 2003 after sustaining a hand injury; Pegazus recorded a live album in mid-2003 with Bernie Goldstein filling in on drums.

In late 2003 Pegazus and Nuclear Blast parted ways acrimoniously with the band issuing Live! - Thunder Down Under independently. Ange Sotiro and former Black Majesty bassist Joe Fata joined Pegazus in 2004.

During 2007, Thompson suffered personal tragedy when his daughter died in a car accident. Betts re-joined the band following the departure of Joe Fata, but in April 2008 Thompson left Pegazus. Polish label Metal Mind reissued Wings of Destiny, Breaking the Chains and The Headless Horseman with bonus tracks including the Metalbound demo and various cover songs. Justin Flemming performed with the band at a show in Sydney in early 2009 before being announced as Thompson's permanent replacement. After more than a year of silence, Pegazus announced their first new album in almost a decade in early 2011, In the Name of Metal. A European tour was announced, but was postponed, then cancelled.

Discography

Albums:

Pegazus.jpg
1995 Pegazus self release
Wingsofdestiny.jpg
1998 Wings of Destiny Nuclear Blast
Breakingthechains.jpg
1999 Breaking the Chains Nuclear Blast
Headlesshorseman.jpg
2002 The Horseless Horseman Nuclear Blast
Thunderdownunder.jpg
2004 Live! Thunder Down Under self release
2011 In Metal We Trust Black Leather

Compilation tracks:

Year Track Title Album Title Label
1999 "Apache Warror" Death... is Just the Beginning 5 Nuclear Blast
1999 "Destiny" Metal Dreams Nuclear Blast
1999 "Restless and Wild" A Tribute to Accept Nuclear Blast
2000 "Time Machine" Death... is Just the Beginning 6 Nuclear Blast
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