The Beginning of Wolfgang

The Philippines music scene is not a very attractive environment for the metal / hard rock, because it is dominated by solo artists sweet love songs and easy listening tunes. Wolfgang, however, has defied the odds to become one of the country's most popular and best-selling acts, his name synonymous with hard-driving riffs play group and precision.

Wolfgang formed around 1994. Vocalist Basti Artadi (born Sebastian), bassist Mon Legaspi (born Ramon), and drummer Wolf Gemora (born Leslie) started in other local groups and guitarist Manuel Legarda returned to the Philippines to live in Spain. So many music in the Philippines are strongly influenced by Western sources, Wolfgang took their cue from Metallica, Soundgarden, and Led Zeppelin, among others.

Wolfgang submitted demos of two original compositions, "Darkness Fell" and "Left Alone," local radio stations, which have generated many requests for the listener. The group signed with Def Tone, an independent label premises Ivoire Records. Wolfgang released his first album, Wolfgang, in 1995, at a time when the craze of rock, which began last year, was underway in the country.

At the NU107 Rock Awards 1995, the country of the first rock awards show, was nominated for Artadi singer of the year for Gemora drummer of the year, and Legarda Guitarist of the Year. The group was nominated for Artist of the Year and Best Live Act. Legarda was named co-winner of Guitarist of the Year.

The group signed in 1996 with a major label, Epic Sony Music Entertainment Philippines (SMEP). Wolfgang epic of the first version, Semenelin reached at least double-platinum status (80000 units sold - Wolfgang SMEP will not release specific figures, but does not allow him to say whether the album reached gold, platinum .. .). Wolfgang has become one of the most popular bands in the Philippines.

Semenelin was named album of the year at the 1996 NU107 Rock Awards, which won Artadi singer of the year, took Gemora drummer of the year, and the group was named Artist of the Year and Best Actor Live. Semenelin was released in the United States in an all-English version in March 1997, with two songs originally performed in Tagalog, the Philippines' national language, re-recorded in English. Other titles Semenelin were recorded in English.

Wurm was released in late 1997, and was a big, the more adventurous set, truly a landmark album which reached platinum status (40000 units). Sales lower than those obtained by Semenelin can perhaps be attributed in part to the decline in the rock movement, which began several years ago. This, however, does nothing to diminish the standard set by Wurm, who was appointed to the NU107 Rock Awards 1998 for Album of the Year, also won his second Artadi singer of the year, and winning Gemora Drummer of his second Year award, while the group took the honours of Listener's Choice and artist of the year.

Wurm, which was recorded entirely in English, was published in early 1998 in Japan, the second largest market for recorded music, and Wolfgang made several showcases in Japan to promote the album. Wolfgang his fourth album, Serving in Silence, was released in March 1999 at the local level, and saw a return to the style of 1996 includes Semenelin. Even if another critical and commercial success, he did not see the liberation.

Serve in silence was nominated for Album of the Year at NU107 Rock Awards 1999, as well as Best Album Packaging. Wolfgang was nominated for Artist / Group of the year, and the four band members were nominated for individual awards: Basti Artadi for Vocalist of the Year, Manuel Legarda for Guitarist of the Year, Monday Legaspi bassist for the year, and Wolf Gemora drummer of the year. In addition, Wolfgang was nominated for Producer of the Year. Serving in silence to tie for the first place for the album of the year, and won again Basti Artadi for Vocalist of the year, his third victory overall in this category. Wolfgang also won the Listener's Choice.

In February 2000, the excellent live album Soundcheck: Live Recordings, featuring Wolfgang and three other rock bands signed to Sony Music Entertainment Philippines, was released. For NU107 Rock Awards 2000, Basti Artadi was nominated once for Vocalist of the Year, Wolf Gemora for drummer of the year, Monday Legaspi bassist for the year, and Manuel Legarda for Guitarist of the Year. Basti Artadi won again for the singer of the year, the fourth time he has received that honor.

At the end of 2000, Wolfgang broadcast a live concert album, 9/30/2000 Acoustica, a beautiful series on the songs that have been recorded previously played in acoustics. Several guest artists, including guitarist David Aguirre of the local rock band Razorback, also participated. The album has reached gold status.

In April 2001, in conjunction with US-based music retailer Tower Records, volume, a compilation of material from Wolfgang her four studio albums, including its first series of Ivory Records, was released in stores Tower Records in the USA and Australia. Basti Artadi vocalist of participation in a side project with members of labelmateRazorback led to the release in August 2001 of an acoustic rock style album entitled, Brain Salad. Wolfgang its next studio album, Black Mantra, a double-album set, was released in August 2001 at the local level.