Haggard is a German symphonic metal band founded in 1989 that combines classical music and early music with metal.
Background Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Genres | Symphonic metal, death metal (early) |
| Years active | 1989–present (on hold since 2017) |
| Website | haggard.de |
History
Haggard was founded in 1989 and originally played death metal. The band changed its musical style after its first demo tape, Introduction (1992), adopting symphonic melodies and classical instruments with folk themes. The album And Thou Shalt Trust... the Seer (1997) marked their breakthrough. Their second album, Awaking the Centuries (2000), focused on the life of the prophet Nostradamus, and was followed by tours including two through Mexico.
Just before Awaking the Centuries was released, the group had its highest number of musicians at 21. All songs are written by vocalist and guitarist Asis Nasseri.
In 2004, they released Eppur Si Muove, an album about the life of Italian scholar Galileo Galilei. In 2021, this album was elected by Metal Hammer as the 23rd best symphonic metal album of all time.
The fourth album, Tales of Ithiria (2008), is based on a fantasy story.
In 2010, the band performed its first concert alongside a symphonic orchestra, playing with the philharmonic orchestra of Plovdiv in Bulgaria on 19 April 2010.
Although a new album titled Grimm was originally announced for late 2012, it has been postponed indefinitely. The band has been largely inactive since then, 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
- Florinda Hoffmann – violoncello
- 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
Discography
Studio Albums
| Year | Title | Peak positions |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | And Thou Shalt Trust... the Seer | — |
| 2000 | Awaking the Centuries | GER: 64 |
| 2004 | Eppur si muove | GER: 47 |
| 2008 | Tales of Ithiria | GER: 37, SWI: 89 |
Demos
- Introduction (1992)
- Progressive (1994)
- Once... Upon a December's Dawn (1995)
Live Albums
- Awaking the Gods: Live in Mexico (2001)
Style
Haggard's music is characterized by a combination of classical, medieval, and Renaissance music with contemporary metal elements. The band uses a large ensemble of musicians with classical music backgrounds, playing instruments such as harpsichord, piccolo, timpani, cellos, contrabasses, and various flutes. Due to these classical elements, the band is also categorized under symphonic metal.
