Цирк Максимус: Норвегиялық прогрессив метал тобы

Norwegian progressive metal band
the Norwegian progressive metal band

Circus Maximus is a Norwegian progressive metal quintet from Oslo. They employ symphonic and power metal influences that feature synthesizers. As of 2016, they have released four albums: The 1st Chapter in 2005, Isolate in 2007, Nine in 2012 and Havoc in 2016.

In 2000 longtime bandmates Michael Eriksen (vocals) and brothers Mats (guitar) and Truls Haugen (drums) were joined by keyboard player Espen Storø and Glen Cato Møllen on bass to form Circus Maximus. Initially a cover band, their interpretations of technically challenging material from bands like Dream Theater and Symphony X earned them a lot of positive feedback. Before long, the band started to write their own material: With other influences varying from pop/rock through classical progressive rock to heavy metal and death metal, their music synergized into a mixture of melodic and groovy sound with many heavy riffs and odd time signatures. The musical press has compared their sound to Queensrÿche, TNT, Shadow Gallery, Pretty Maids, Helloween and the like, in addition to the aforementioned bands. Releasing two demos to great reviews in Norway, as well as in Europe and United States, before signing with Danish Intromental Management in April 2004, the band made a record deal with American Sensory Records for the US and Canada, which in turn forwarded a licensing deal for Europe and Russia to Frontiers Records.

Circus Maximus began writing their debut album in 2004. Entitled The 1st Chapter, it was released in May 2005. The eight track album contains the longest Circus Maximus song with the title track running over 19 minutes. The album also came with two bonus tracks. Half a year later, in November 2005, keyboard player Espen Storø left the band for personal reasons. In early 2006, Lasse Finbråten (formerly of Norwegian progressive/power metal band Tritonus) joined the band, filling the vacant spot. During 2005, Circus Maximus went on their first tour with their major performance being in Atlanta in the United States, where they played at the ProgPower festival. Circus Maximus returned to the same festival the following year with their new keyboardist. During the rest of 2006, Circus Maximus continued to play gigs around Scandinavia with other major acts such as Kamelot, Pagan's Mind and Glenn Hughes.

The third album, called Nine, was released on 1 June 2012. The band described the album as both more melodic and more dynamic than their two preceding albums.

The first single from Havoc, "The Weight", was released on 19 January 2016. Vocalist Michael Eriksen was later a guest singer on Ayreon's ninth studio album, titled The Source.

The first of Circus Maximus' live albums, Havoc in Oslo, was released on 4 August 2017, featuring songs from all four of the previous albums but with a bias towards their newer songs. The second live album arrived on 6 September 2019, entitled Nine Live. It contains a live performance of their entire 2012 album Nine.