Power Quest
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | March 2001 |
| Headquarters | Southampton , England |
Key people | Steve Williams (keyboardist, founder) |
| Products | Power metal music, albums |
Power Quest is a power metal group originating from Southampton, England. As of August 2025, the ensemble consists of keyboardist Steve Williams, drummer Francesco Tresca, vocalist Alessio Garavello, guitarist Andrea Martongelli, and bassist Steve Scott.
Origins and initial four albums
The inception of Power Quest dates back to March 2001 when keyboardist Steve Williams, who had recently departed from the London-based power metal act DragonHeart (which later became DragonForce), established the band. Bass duties were taken on by Steve Scott, also previously associated with DragonHeart and ex-Shadowkeep. Although the intention was to form the band in Southampton, only guitarist Adam Bickers was a local musician willing to join. For the second guitar position, former DragonHeart member Sam Totman briefly contributed while concentrating on his primary band.
In August 2001, the band produced a two-track demo that was uploaded to MP3.com, featuring vocals by ZP Theart, guitar work from Totman and Bickers, and bass by Scott.
The recruitment of vocalist Alessio Garavello occurred in April 2002, following a recommendation from Maurizio Chiarello of Underground Symphony Records. Garavello provided vocals for their debut album Wings of Forever, which also included guest guitarist Andrea Martongelli from his own band Arthemis. Martongelli later became a full-time member, replacing Bickers who left to pursue a medical career.
Drummer Andre Bargmann joined in January 2003 but exited after the release of their second album Neverworld in July. Gavin Ward (Last Hours of Torment) filled in for tours until Francesco Tresca took over permanently. Following Neverworld, Totman departed due to his growing commitments with DragonForce.
In November 2004, Power Quest shared the stage with Dream Evil and Labyrinth in London before recording three tracks for Magic Never Dies. The band toured across the UK in late 2005 and again for the second leg of the Magic Never Dies tour. By August 2006, Garavello assumed rhythm guitar responsibilities to cover the vacancy left since Bickers' departure. In October 2007, Power Quest secured a deal with Napalm Records.
In December 2007, Williams revealed that five guest musicians would feature on the forthcoming album Master of Illusion: Bill Hudson (Cellador) on "The Vigil"; Richard West (Threshold) on "Human Machine"; Jorn Viggo Lofstad (Pagan's Mind) who had toured with them in 2006; Chris Neighbour (FourwayKill); and Bob Katsionis (Firewind) contributing to "Save the World".
Member transitions, Blood Alliance, and disbandment
June 2008 saw the announcement that Bill Hudson, who contributed to Master of Illusion, joined as co-lead guitarist alongside Martongelli. In January 2009, founding bassist Steve Scott departed permanently to remain in New Zealand, leaving Williams as the only original member. Oliver Holzwarth from power metal band Blind Guardian stepped in as his replacement. By April 2009, Hudson left citing logistical and financial challenges. Vocalist Alessio Garavello exited in July 2009 after seven years and four albums to pursue alternative rock with his new project A New Tomorrow.
On 28 September 2009, Power Quest unveiled a revamped lineup: Pete Morten (vocals), Andy Midgley (guitar), Ben Randall (guitar), Paul Finnie (bass), and Rich Smith (drums). They concluded 2009 touring the UK alongside the Michael Schenker Group.
Following several performances, frontman Morten and guitarist Randall departed on 15 March 2010 due to creative differences.
Work on Power Quest's fifth studio album Blood Alliance commenced in February 2009, with demo recordings planned for early 2010 and production scheduled for October at Foel Studios in Wales. In May 2010, Sri Lankan vocalist Chitral Somapala and British guitarist Gavin Owen joined the band. The album contained nine tracks plus an additional Japanese bonus track; its tracklist was confirmed in December 2010. Mixing sessions in Italy were delayed by flooding in November 2010. Worldwide release dates were announced for April 2011.
Somapala amicably parted ways with Power Quest in October 2011 after a tenure of seventeen months. The following month saw Colin Callanan from Irish power metal band Karuna announced as the new vocalist.
With Callanan fronting the band, Power Quest embarked on a European tour in March 2012; founding member Scott returned temporarily on bass during Finnie's absence. The tour included performances alongside German power metal act Freedom Call in Switzerland and Germany and culminated at Power Prog & Metal Fest 2012 in Belgium.
On 10 January 2013, Williams declared the band's dissolution due to financial strains and insufficient label backing. Their final concerts took place at London's Camden Underworld on 31 May and at Bloodstock Open Air Festival in Derby on 10 August 2013, featuring special appearances by Garavello and Bickers.
Second reunion, ongoing endeavors, and dissolution
Following a three-year break during which Williams focused on Eden's Curse, Power Quest was revived with the announcement of their comeback and the release of the EP Face the Raven on 10 September 2016, coinciding with their live appearance at Camden Underworld.
On the day scheduled for their Hammerfest warm-up concert in Portsmouth, Williams disclosed that guitarists Dan Owen and Gavin Owen had exited the band, resulting in the cancellation of that performance. For Hammerfest itself, Andy Kopczyk (I AM I) and Benjamin Ellis (Scar Symmetry) filled in as temporary replacements. Kopczyk subsequently joined as a full-time member alongside Glyndwr Williams (Triaxis). In 2018, both Kopczyk and bassist Paul Finnie departed to pursue other ventures, with George "The Kid" Karofotis and Bradley Edison stepping in as their successors. On 29 June, exactly one year before these lineup changes, Power Quest revealed their album The Sixth Dimension and supported DragonForce during the UK segment of the Reaching Into Infinity World Tour.
Tragically, on 4 August 2019, former bassist Paul Finnie passed away at age 44 due to a heart attack shortly after performing with the Def Leppard tribute group Hysteria. To honor his memory, Power Quest dedicated a November concert featuring former members and guest performers.
On 17 February 2023, Steve Williams declared that Power Quest would cease activity without embarking on a farewell tour.
Later, on 29 August 2025, the band announced a special reunion show scheduled for 29 May 2026 at the Warriors of Steel Festival in Ålesund, Norway. This one-time event will showcase Alessio Garavello, Andrea Martongelli, Steve Williams, Steve Scott, and Francesco Tresca performing material primarily from their initial three albums.
Band members
Current
- Steve Williams – keyboards, backing vocals (2001–2013, 2016–2023, 2025–present), drum machine (as Scott Michaels) (2001–2003)
- Steve Scott – bass (2001–2009, live in 2012, 2025–present)
- Alessio Garavello – lead vocals (2002–2009, 2025–present), guitars (2005–2008)
- Andrea Martongelli – guitars, backing vocals (2003–2009, 2025–present)
- Francesco Tresca – drums (2004–2009, 2025–present)
Former
- ZP Theart – lead vocals (2001–2002)
- Adam Bickers – guitars (2001–2003)
- Sam Totman – guitars (2001–2005)
- Andre Bargmann – drums (2003)
- Gavin Ward – drums (2003–2004)
- Bill Hudson – guitars (2008–2010)
- Oliver Holzwarth – bass (2009)
- Rich Smith – drums (2009–2013, 2016–2023)
- Pete Morten – lead vocals (2009–2010)
- Ben Randall – guitars (2009–2010)
- Andy Midgley – guitars, backing vocals (2009–2013)
- Paul Finnie – bass (2009–2013, 2016–2018; deceased 2019)
- Chitral Somapala – lead vocals (2010–2011)
- Gavin Owen – guitars (2010–2013, 2016–2017)
- Colin Callanan – lead vocals (2011–2013)
- Ashley Edison – lead vocals (2016–2023)
- Dan Owen – guitars (2016–2017)
- Glyn Williams – guitars (2017–2023)
- Andy Kopczyk – guitars (2017–2018)
- Bradley Edison – bass (2018–2023)
- George "The Kid" Karafotis – guitars (2018–2023)
Timeline
Discography
- Wings of Forever (2002)
- Neverworld (2003)
- Magic Never Dies (2005)
- Master of Illusion (2008)
- Blood Alliance (2011)
- Sixth Dimension (2017)