The band's foundation formed when guitarists Rod Mariani and Don Dioro answered separate ads placed by drummer Mike Paradine. Having just left his previous band Mike was looking to start a new group influenced by the traditional metal of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Motorhead.
Music Style
Mike Paradine
BIOGRAPHY
Rod, who lived in Clinton, N.J., was a fan of modern power metal bands like Symphony X and Primal Fear as well as the pioneers like Deep Purple. Getting together with Mike, the two hit it off immediately and started jamming on some old classics.
Don joined a couple of weeks later. Coincidentally, he was also living in Mike's hometown of Bayonne, N.J. though the two had not met before. Like Mike, Don had experience playing in bands in the local scene. After spending time in acts ranging from classic rock cover bands to death metal groups, he was looking for an outlet for the large number of riffs and songs he had been stockpiling since high school days.
The threesome got together in a run down studio in Jersey City, N.J. and it was soon obvious that their musical styles were compatible and that they could create original music they would enjoy playing.
After a year spent mostly in rehearsal studios, writing, practicing and honing the material, it was time to find a voice for the project. Several false starts set the band back a bit but in the cold month of February 2003, Dave Lowe stepped up to the mic. Ambling into the audition on crutches with his left foot in a cast (the result of a mishap with a warehouse hi-lo) Lowe proved his voice was in fine working order and impressed with his rendition of Judas Priest's "Victim of Changes." With influences running the full spectrum of heavy music, Dave had previously fronted the bands Atmosfear and Warped Reality in his native Staten Island, N.Y.
All along the band had tried in vain to secure the bass slot. Bassists came and went, as they proved to be either incompetant, irresponsible or both. The band finally resolved to soldier on without a bassist and began recording demos with Don handling the bass chores. As the band were beginning to plan some simple shows and open mic appearances, John Spear answered one of the many haphazardly placed internet ads. A rehearsal tape was mailed to his home in Greenwood Lakes, N.Y. for his perusal. Interested in the heavy challenging material, he learned a few of the songs and came to an audition during the month of September 2003. John made the cut and the band was finally ready to start playing out.
As the band continued working on their demo a chance to perform their first gig surfaced. The venue was Don Hill's located on the lower west side of Manhattan. The date was Tuesday, Oct. 14 and they were to open for the legendary hard rock band, Thin Lizzy. Along with Mike being a huge Lizzy fan, it seemed like a good initial show because Lizzy is considered one of the greatest Irish rock bands and ArcticFlame had been dabbling with the Celtic sound. Since John had only been in the band less than a month rehearsals were many.
Even though it was a rainy Tuesday night, the show went over well with an appreciative crowd response and even members of the Thin Lizzy band and crew complimenting the band on a fine first performance.
The band went on to play many shows over the next several months including opening slots for Michael Schenker, Helloween and Yngwie Malmsteen. But in April '04 John Spear decided to leave the band to pursue other interests.
Long Beach Island, New Jersey resident Jeff Scott joins and begins his work with the band.
ArcticFlame is currently preparing to work on their debut CD.
Power Metal
DISCOGRAPHY
Album: 4-SONG EP
01. Steel Angels
02. Misery's Mystery)
03. Spark of Ire
04. The Leveller's Wish
BAND MEMBERS
DRUMS
Rod Mariani
GUITAR
Don Dioro
GUITAR
Dave Lowe
VOCALS
Jeff Scott
BASS
