Pyramaze Family Tree
Metal Family Tree
This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.
We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.
Pyramaze are a Danish power metal band with plenty of symphonic and progressive elements. The band was formed by guitarist Michael Kammeyer and he is the primary writer of the first there albums with some impute from, also original member, Keyboardist Jonah Weingarten. Along with them the original line up of the band also consisted of bassist Niels Kvist and drummer Morten Gade Sørensen. Toke Skjønnemand stepped in as the second guitarist on the second album. Vocalists haven’t been consistent Lance King sang on the first two albums. The third album featured Matt Barlow of Iced Earth on vocals. In 2011 the band would have a temporary hiatus as Michael and Niels left the band. Pyramaze would continued without them with new vocalist Terje Haroy and guitarist/bassist Jacob Hansen along with the remaining members. At this point writing would be done by Jonah, Jacob, and Toke. Michael has also stated that even though who wrote the early stuff other members were free to be creative with their parts and add their own style to the music.
Electric Light Orchestra or ELO were a progressive rock / pop band. Jacob got their album Time when he was young and still loves the album.
Howard Shore
Howard Shore is a prolific film score composer. Notably in more recent years he composed for “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy. Jonah named him as an influence.
James Horner
James Horner is a film score composer. Jonah didn’t directly name him as an influence but did name the movie “Braveheart” which is composed by James.
Iron Maiden are easily one of the most influential metal bands. Michael named Seventh Son of a Seventh Son in his top five albums list. Jacob is also a fan.
Mercyful Fate are often remembered for King Diamond’s distinct vocals and satanic themes but should be recognized by their technical writing just as much. Jacob named them as an influence.
Metallica are the fathers of thrash. Michael named them as an early influence and Toke also named them as an influence.
Hanz Zimmer
Hans Zimmer is one of the most influential modern film composers. Jonah named him as an influence and in particular has named “The Last Samurai” film.
Danny Elfman is a influential film score composer. He’s probably best known for his work with Tim Burton movies. Jonah named him as an influence.
Slayer were the most aggressive thrash band in the early days of thrash. Jacob named them as an influence.
Dark Angel are a relatively underground thrash band but important. Jacob named them as an influence.
Bon Jovi was a popular hard rock / Glam band. Michael named them as the band that first made him want to play guitar. Toke also named them as an influence.
Jag Panzer are an American heavy metal band part of the “US Power metal” movement. Michael named them as an influence.
Destruction are one of the most important of the German Thrash scene. Jacob said they were his favorite thrash band.
Joe Satriani is an influential instrumental rock guitarist. Toke named him as an important influence.
King Diamond formed his own influential band after his time with Mercyful Fate. Jacob named Kind Diamond as an influence.
From their speed metal origins, Blind Guardian has grown into one of the biggest power metal bands. Michael named Marcus Siepen, and Andre Olbrich among guitarists he admires the most
Stratovarius are an important Finnish power metal band. Michael named their album Episode in his top 5.
Iced Earth are often considered power metal although that can be debated on their earlier albums. Michael named Jon Schaffer among the guitar players he admires the most.
Mr. Big were a rock band featuring Paul Gilbert on guitars. Toke named them and Paul as an important influence.
Freak Kitchen are an experimental rock band from Sweden. Toke named them as an influence.
Kamelot area power / symphonic metal band. Michael named them as an influence.
Nightwish are the band that popularized symphonic metal. Michael named Erno Vuorinen among the guitarists he admires the most. Jonah also named Nightwish as an influence.
Children of Bodom are a considered a melodic death metal band by most but certainly stand out from other bands of the genre. Jonah named them as an influence.
Michael named early influences as bands like Bon Jovi, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Metallica, and Aerosmith. He discovered “real” metal relatively late at 19.
Jonah says they owe a lot musically to bands like Iron Maiden, Queensyche, Metallica, and Megadeth. He also mentions listening to Enya growing up.
Jacob’s first musical influence was his dad’s Beatle’s records. He also mentions liking ABBA when he was young. Jacob says he is influenced by German thrash but only names Destruction. He also mentions being a fan of Queensryche and Fates Warning and LEO.
Sources:
https://www.rockeyez.com/interviews/int-pyramaze-michael.html
https://www.powerofmetal.dk/interviews/pyramaze2.htm
https://www.powerofmetal.dk/interviews/pyramaze.htm
http://www.friday13thmetal.co.uk/Page%203%20-%20Interviews/Pyramaze/new_page_1.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uz8mLPWdDc
https://ladyobscure.com/jonah-weingarten-of-pyramaze/
https://myglobalmind.com/2018/07/20/interview-with-we-are-sentinels-keyboardist-and-composer-jonah-weingarten-pyramaze/
https://www.facebook.com/Pyramaze/posts/10152082473348919/
http://www.sarkophag-rocks.com/html/jacob-pyramaze-13-10-15.html
https://www.metalexpressradio.com/2009/06/14/interview-with-jacob-hansen-anubis-gate/