Dungeon (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia |
| Founder | Tim Grose |
| Defunct | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
| Website | www |
Dungeon was a Sydney-based Australian band known for their melodic power metal style, recognized as one of the foremost metal groups in Australia. Operating from 1989 until 2005, they produced six studio albums and performed extensively both domestically and internationally.
(1989–1996) Origins and initial phase
The band Dungeon originated in 1989 in the mining community of Broken Hill, New South Wales, founded by guitarist Tim Grose, who also assumed lead vocal duties due to the challenge of recruiting a dedicated singer. The early lineup underwent multiple transformations, eventually incorporating keyboards and additional guitarists. In 1992, Grose and guitarist Dale Corney moved to Sydney and began reassembling the group.
By 1995, the live ensemble comprised Grose, Corney, Stephen Mikulic on rhythm guitar, George Smith handling bass, and Andrew Brody on drums. They laid down tracks for a demo named "Changing Moods," with Grose performing bass and keyboard parts. Drumming was shared among Brody, Jim Yannieh, and session drummer Virgil Donati, who completed the intricate title piece.
In 1996, after Brody and Smith departed, former Maximum Carnage members Wayne Harris (drums) and Justin Sayers (bass) joined; Mikulic also exited. Interest from Japanese label TDK-Core led to plans to release "Changing Moods" as an album. Dungeon revamped the demo into Demolition, remixing it with Sayers' bass contributions, removing the track "The Promise," and adding nine new songs including a Blondie cover of "Call Me." Despite strong sales in Japan, Harris's refusal to take part in promotion resulted in his dismissal. To preserve the band's image, friend Tyrone McMaster adopted the alias Ty Blakely for promotional purposes without officially joining.
Although Demolition achieved moderate success, its availability outside Japan was curtailed when TDK-Core discontinued their rock releases.
(1996–2005) Peak years
Following Wayne Harris’s exit, Dungeon was without a drummer but possessed enough material for another album. After Sydney thrash band Addictive disbanded, their drummer Steve Moore joined Dungeon by early 1997, enabling the band to resume live performances within Sydney’s metal scene. The 1998 album Resurrection featured a third iteration of "Paradise," keyboard contributions from Gustav Hoffman, and lead vocals by Sayers on "Let it Go" and "Wake Up." The recording process was difficult; Grose briefly quit while Sayers contemplated other projects but remained for nearly another year.
Although labels such as Century Media showed interest, Dungeon signed with Sydney’s Warhead Records in July 1999, influenced by Moore’s connection to owner Brad Sims. Around this time Justin Sayers amicably departed and was replaced by Brendan "Dakk" McDonald from Dr Zeus. Released in September 1999, Resurrection performed well among fans; however, Warhead Records ceased operations in early 2000, halting further production. The album’s success led to support gigs with Yngwie Malmsteen and Nevermore, as well as their inaugural appearance at the Metal for the Brain festival, where they continued performing annually until 2005.
Dungeon maintained a rigorous touring schedule until Dale Corney left in September 2001. Stu Marshall then joined and made his debut at Metal for the Brain. Most of A Rise to Power had been completed at that point; Marshall contributed guitar parts and vocals prior to its release. Mid-2002 saw Dungeon supporting German power metal act Edguy on an Australian tour; after their Sydney show, they secured a deal with Melbourne-based Metal Warriors through Steve Ravic, who also facilitated an international contract with Germany’s LMP Records. The band remained active live performers supporting groups such as Mayhem and Destruction.
In May 2003 Dungeon toured Japan for festivals held in Tokyo and Osaka, coinciding with the limited release of the remix and covers album Rising Power. Their Tokyo performance was recorded and later issued as the Under the Rising Sun DVD in mid-2004. LMP subsequently released A Rise to Power internationally featuring an alternate cartoon-style cover that the band ultimately disavowed.
Early in 2004 Dungeon supported Opeth before entering the studio to record a follow-up to A Rise to Power alongside a reimagined version of Resurrection, motivated by Tim Grose’s dissatisfaction with the original production. During these sessions McDonald departed under acrimonious circumstances; Grose took over bass recordings while Glenn Williams—of Brisbane hard rock band Mobstar and a longtime associate—filled bass duties for an upcoming Edguy tour. Drummer Steve Moore was replaced by Grahame Goode from Infernal Method; initially temporary, Moore officially left after completing that tour in August 2004. Subsequently, Grose and Marshall performed abroad as a duo ahead of November’s release of One Step Beyond, touring Japan and Croatia with local musicians as well as conducting promotional activities in the United States.
Though Justin Sayers had left in 1999, he appeared in booklet photos for One Step Beyond. Goode remained as drummer until February 2005 when both he and founding bassist Petar Peric quit following Metal for the Brain’s Canberra event—Goode's departure being notably contentious. Williams returned on bass while young talented drummer Tim Yatras, known for his work with NSW black and death metal outfits including Malice and Battalion as well as touring with Sydney black metal band Nazxul, joined just before Metal for the Brain in Brisbane. In April Dungeon supported Nightwish and Angra before embarking on a national tour with Megadeth. Dave Mustaine personally selected Dungeon to open for Megadeth during their European tour in June. Following this they performed shows in Japan prior to returning home in August after promotional engagements across Canada and the U.S.
(2005–2007) Disbandment and Subsequent Developments
In September 2005, after touring with Chris Jericho's ensemble Fozzy, Dungeon declared their dissolution following the exits of Marshall and Williams. Their concluding concert took place on 11 December 2005 at the Gaelic Club in Surry Hills, Sydney, which included guest performances by Justin Sayers, Dakk McDonald, and Stephen Mikulic. Mid-2006 saw the release of their final record, The Final Chapter, which was recorded by Grose and Yatras alongside guest musicians Andy Dowling on bass and Mav Stevens on guitar.
Following Dungeon’s split, Grose and Yatras proceeded with Lord, a venture initially started by Grose in 2003. Lord continues to uphold Dungeon’s musical legacy and repertoire in live shows. Both artists were also part of the Newcastle-based power metal group Ilium until Grose’s departure in early 2008. Stu Marshall launched 20 Grams, later renamed Paindivision, producing two albums by mid-2010. Former bassist Justin Sayers became a member of the heavy rock/punk band Platinum Brunette, which released an EP in 2007 and an album in 2009 featuring Lord Tim on guitar. Stephen Mikulic joined the band Lycanthia. Grahame Goode and Pete Peric briefly revived Infernal Method before its definitive breakup in April 2007; Goode subsequently joined thrash metal group Killrazer, while Peric became part of Nazxul. Glenn Williams entered Brisbane’s melodic metal band Sedition after Andy Dowling joined Lord. Ex-drummer Steve Moore performed with thrash band Vaticide and is currently active in a Brisbane-based rock/metal outfit. Dakk McDonald operates a CD/DVD replication enterprise. Early guitarist Dale Fletcher passed away in January 2005; Jason Hansen now builds custom guitars, and Dale Corney provides vocals for Broken Hill metal band Soulforge.
Final line-up
- 'Lord' Tim Grose (1989–2005) – vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass
- Tim Yatras (2005) – drums
Former members
- Jason Hansen (1989–1990) – guitar
- Dale Fletcher (1990–1991) – guitar
- Dale Corney (1991–2001) – guitar, vocals
- Stephen Mikulic (1992–1996) – guitar
- Stu Marshall (2001–2005) – guitar, vocals
- Eddie Trezise (1989) – bass
- Randall Hocking (1989–1990) – bass
- Jamie Baldwin (1990–1991) – bass
- George Smith (1994–1995) – bass
- Justin Sayers (1996–1999) – vocals
- Brendon McDonald (1999–2004) – bass
- Petar Peric (2004–2005) – bass
- Glenn Williams (2005) – bass
- Carolyn Boon (1989–1991) – keyboards
- Ian DeBono (1989–1990) – drums
- Darryl Reiss (1990) – drums
- Andrew Brody (1994) – drums
- Wayne Harris (1994–1995) – drums
- Tyrone McMaster (1996) – drums
- Steve Moore (1997–2004) – drums
- Grahame Goode (2004–2005) – drums
External links
- Dungeon.cd – official website
- Dungeon at MySpace
- PainDivision.com – official website