Biography
Heavenwood is a Portuguese metal outfit fronted by guitarist, vocalist, and composer Ricardo Dias dos Santos. The group fuses the shadowy spectacle of gothic and symphonic metal with the raw ferocity of blackened death metal. First surfacing in 1996, the project delivered two releases oriented toward goth-metal and hard rock, among them the widely praised opening album Diva, before shutting down in 1998. After regrouping in 2008, Heavenwood issued Redemption and then two further records across the 2010s that pursued a denser and more orchestral metal direction. Early in 2024 Santos ended all ties with management and every other member. Functioning now as a solo project, Heavenwood unveiled the opening single from the forthcoming eighth studio album The Tarot of the Bohemians, Pt. 2 later that same year.
The ensemble began in 1992 under the name Disgorged, then switched to its present moniker in 1996 just prior to the Massacre Records release of debut album Diva, which the band supported via European tours alongside In Flames and Atrocity. Two years afterward arrived Swallow, which included guest contributions from Kai Hansen of Gamma Ray and Helloween as well as Liv Kristine. Extensive touring continued, encompassing appearances with Theatre of Tragedy, Lake of Tears, and Solitude Aeturnus and reaching a high point with a triumphant set at Wacken Open Air.
After entering hiatus the musicians reunited in 2008 to release their fifth long-player Redemption, featuring guest spots from Jeff Waters of Annihilator, Gus G of Firewind, and Tijs Vanneste of Oceans of Sadness. They signed with the French label Listenable Records in 2011 and presented Abyss Masterpiece, a heavily orchestral work inspired by the life of Portuguese poet Marquesa de Alorna. Returning to Massacre Records, Heavenwood issued The Tarot of the Bohemians, Pt. 1 two years later, drawing from the research and writings of French/Spanish occultist Papus. In 2024 Ricardo Dias dos Santos announced he would continue alone under the Heavenwood name. Ahead of The Tarot of the Bohemians, Pt. 2 the project released the singles “The World” and “The Devil.”
The ensemble began in 1992 under the name Disgorged, then switched to its present moniker in 1996 just prior to the Massacre Records release of debut album Diva, which the band supported via European tours alongside In Flames and Atrocity. Two years afterward arrived Swallow, which included guest contributions from Kai Hansen of Gamma Ray and Helloween as well as Liv Kristine. Extensive touring continued, encompassing appearances with Theatre of Tragedy, Lake of Tears, and Solitude Aeturnus and reaching a high point with a triumphant set at Wacken Open Air.
After entering hiatus the musicians reunited in 2008 to release their fifth long-player Redemption, featuring guest spots from Jeff Waters of Annihilator, Gus G of Firewind, and Tijs Vanneste of Oceans of Sadness. They signed with the French label Listenable Records in 2011 and presented Abyss Masterpiece, a heavily orchestral work inspired by the life of Portuguese poet Marquesa de Alorna. Returning to Massacre Records, Heavenwood issued The Tarot of the Bohemians, Pt. 1 two years later, drawing from the research and writings of French/Spanish occultist Papus. In 2024 Ricardo Dias dos Santos announced he would continue alone under the Heavenwood name. Ahead of The Tarot of the Bohemians, Pt. 2 the project released the singles “The World” and “The Devil.”
Albums
Singles
