Labyrinth

Labyrinth stand among Italy's most resilient and acclaimed hard rock acts, fusing progressive and melodic power metal in a style that relies on keyboards to lend dramatic melodic contour to the force and speed of speed metal. Formed in 1991, the band asserted dominance across the European power metal circuit during the closing years of the 1990s and the opening years of the 2000s through a succession of well-received albums highlighted by the breakthrough release Return to Heaven Denied in 1998. Despite preserving their skill at merging melody with power, the musicians navigated repeated personnel shifts throughout the following ten years, ultimately entering an indefinite hiatus once Return to Heaven Denied, Pt. 2: A Midnight Autumn's Dream appeared in 2010. Their return proved decisive in 2017 when Frontiers issued Architecture of a God, the group's eighth studio album.

The ensemble originated in the Tuscan town of Massa. Early members performed under stage names, with Fabio Tordiglione (Joe Terry) handling lead vocals, Andrea Cantarelli (Anders Rain) and Carlo Andrea Magnani (Olaf Thörsen) on guitars, Andrea Bartoletti on bass, Luca Contini (Ken Taylor) on keyboards, and Franco Rubulotta (Frank Andiver) on drums. Following years of rehearsal and stage experience, Labyrinth recorded the 1995 demo Midnight Resistance. Favorable coverage in the European rock press led to a contract with Underground Symphony Records, which issued the debut EP Piece of Time later that year; by its release bassist Bartoletti had departed, with Cristiano Bertocchi (Chris Breeze) stepping in.

No Limits arrived in 1996 as the first full-length effort, extending the band's reach across Europe while marking its initial appearance in Japan. Tordiglione exited in 1997, prompting Roberto Tiranti (Rob Tyrant) to assume lead vocals; Rubulotta and Contini also departed that year, replaced by drummer Mattia Stancioiu (Mat Stancioiu) and keyboardist Andrea De Paoli (Andrew McPauls). Return to Heaven Denied showcased this configuration in 1998, yet Tiranti soon left and Morby of Domine took over vocals. Morby's stint proved brief, and Tiranti rejoined in time to record the 1999 EP Timeless Crime. The Sons of Thunder followed in 2001, coinciding with appearances at major European metal festivals and extensive Italian touring.

Labyrinth self-produced their self-titled fourth album in 2003, adopting real names instead of pseudonyms and proceeding as a five-piece after guitarist Magnani departed; Pier Gonella later replaced him for live dates. Freeman emerged in 2005 as the fifth album and the final release featuring bassist Bertocchi, after which Tiranti assumed bass duties alongside vocals. 6 Days to Nowhere appeared in 2007. Gonella exited in 2008 to pursue other work, while Magnani rejoined in 2009 and Stancioiu left the same year.

Return to Heaven Denied, Pt. 2: A Midnight Autumn's Dream, issued in 2010, introduced bassist Sergio Pagnacco and drummer Alessandro Bissa. The band then paused studio activity, issuing the 2011 compilation As Time Goes By... while concentrating on concerts. Tiranti departed a second time in 2014, succeeded by American vocalist Mark Boals, who himself left in 2016; Tiranti returned, forming a lineup with Magnani, Cantarelli, Oleg Smirnoff on keyboards, Nik Mazzucconi on bass, and John Macaluso on drums. This roster produced Architecture of a God in 2017, the first new material in seven years. The live album Return to Live followed in 2018, spanning the group's history.

Mattia Peruzzi of Shadows of Steel replaced Macaluso in 2019 ahead of Welcome to the Absurd Circus. The twelve-track album, co-produced by the band and engineer Simone Mularoni, was previewed on January 5, 2021, with a video for the title track and released on January 22.