Serenity

Serenity formed in Austria as a symphonic power metal outfit renowned for expansive theatrical concept albums centered on historical figures and events. Established in 2001, the group retains only one founding member today. The name derives from the science fiction film of identical title, itself drawn from the spaceship in the futuristic sci-fi Western series Firefly. Although the earliest period produced just two demos, the 2007 debut Words Untold & Dreams Unlived earned broad European critical acclaim. Further releases and personnel shifts propelled Death & Legacy onto worldwide metal charts in 2011. Building on consistent metal-media praise, the band surpassed prior benchmarks with the ambitious Codex Atlanticus in 2016 and Lionheart in 2017, both supported by tours that generated the group's strongest attendance numbers.

Drawn to the symphonic power metal wave emerging from the Netherlands since the mid-1990s, friends Matthias Anker on guitar and vocals, lead guitarist Stefan Schipflinger, bassist Stefan Wanker, drummer Andreas Schipflinger, and keyboardist Mario Hirzinger launched Serenity in 2001. Nearly all members brought classical training and instrumental proficiency. Initial rehearsals led to auditions and paid performances, followed by the self-recorded 2002 demo EP Starseed V.R., created to attract label interest. Though it garnered favorable international fanzine attention and bolstered the band's profile, the effort did not secure a contract.

Anker departed at the close of 2003. Seeking a replacement vocalist, Serenity contacted Georg Neuhauser, Thomas Buchberger, and Simon Holzknecht, a trio that had also prepared its own demo while seeking additional players. Wanker, deeply impressed, integrated the three into Serenity and exited the band himself; Stefan Schipflinger soon followed. This left Andreas Schipflinger and Hirzinger alongside the new arrivals, a configuration the group views as the start of its professional phase.

A strong 2004 support slot for Ronnie James Dio preceded the recording of the 2005 demo EP Engraved Within in Germany, mixed by Jan Vacik, later the band's producer. Issued to attract a deal, the recording drew enthusiastic European metal-press coverage and multiple independent-label offers, all of which Serenity declined in favor of continued Western European touring and reinvestment of earnings.

In 2006 the band self-financed its debut full-length Words Untold & Dreams Unlived, tracking in Munich and Austria with orchestral sections captured in the Czech Republic under Hans Valter. The music and packaging quality secured a deal with Austria's Napalm Records, leading to international release in spring 2007. Near-universal acclaim followed, prompting a ten-country European tour.

Immediately afterward Serenity began work on Fallen Sanctuary, recorded in Munich throughout 2007 and into spring 2008 with Vacik and additional producers, engineers, expanded orchestras, and choirs. Rush-released in July and preceded by the single and video "Velatum," the album received strong metal-press response and supported nearly two years of touring. Holzknecht departed in 2010 and was replaced by bassist Fabio D'Amore, formerly of Pathosray and Fairyland.

That same year Serenity entered the studio for the next album, again with Oliver Phillips handling production and orchestral work and Vacik mixing. American singer-songwriter Amanda Somerville contributed vocals. Death & Legacy appeared in February 2011, earning further positive reviews and larger sellout crowds; female vocalists joined live performances thereafter. Cinematic videos accompanied the singles "The Chevalier," based on Casanova's life, and "When the Canvas Starts to Burn," dedicated to Albrecht Dürer. French vocalist Clementine Delauney, previously a guest, was added to the touring lineup, creating strong on-stage chemistry with Neuhauser during the tour that reached the United States and Prog Power Festival in Atlanta. Hirzinger stepped down as a member in October 2012 while continuing occasional guest appearances.

During tour breaks the band recorded War of Ages, each track focused on a distinct historical figure. The album emerged darker and more intense than predecessors, with Delauney handling solo and many choir vocals. Shortly before the spring 2013 release the group's website confirmed her full-time status. Critical praise arrived across Europe, America, and Asia; the sole video single "Wings of Madness" cast Delauney as Countess Bathory and Neuhauser as her husband. Support touring began promptly and continued with brief pauses well into 2014.

Buchberger's exit was announced in early 2015, though the decision had occurred the prior year; he remained only to complete touring duties and left open future recording participation. Delauney also departed after two years. Undeterred, Serenity returned to the studio in 2015 as a quartet with new guitarist Chris Hermsdörfer, also known as Cris Tian. Working again with Vacik, mixing engineer Thommy Tschuggnall, and orchestrator Luki Knoebl, the band centered arrangements around Neuhauser's vocals and, to a lesser degree, D'Amore's, supplemented by guest appearances from Somerville and Natascha Koch, credited as Tasha.At. The conceptual focus was Leonardo da Vinci's life, reflected in the title Codex Atlanticus drawn from his twelve-volume writings and drawings. The single "Iniquity" preceded the January 2016 release.

A year later Serenity issued Lionheart. After two years of global touring that exceeded previous attendance records, the band re-entered the studio in 2019 with producer and mixing engineer Sascha Paeth, an orchestra, and a choir. The resulting The Last Knight, released January 2020, centered on Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I and appeared in multiple editions, including a limited-edition box set containing an additional disc of thematic material.