The history of Devils Island goes back about early-2002, when three friends had first come upon thoughts of forming an old-school metal band. These three founding members were, Georgi Harlanov (vocals), Alex Treyer (guitars), and Ivan Martynovich (former guitarist), all with prior ambitions but no experience, started writing songs and practicing in various basements and apartments across NYC shortly after they became acquainted. The trio adopted the name Devils Island – a result of Alex’s fascination with punitive measures of the old world.
After a few months of searching the guys found themselves a bassist in the form Sergey Deych. The addition of the talented bassist boosted the band’s seriousness and confidence to a new level and led to the creation of the first songs that are still in its active repertoire. The final piece of the puzzle however, was set into place with the addition Anthony DiSpigna on drums thereby filling out the now thunderous rhythm section. Unlike the rest of his newfound band-members, Anthony had several years of experience, playing in several bands ranging in style from hard rock to death metal. His skill was immediately recognized by DI, and Anthony’s ideas were promptly incorporated into the songwriting process. Though the band was still fine tuning and developing its sound, the first songs starting coming into shape. Songs like Black Sea, One Man and Heavens Warning, which were made around that time, appear on the recordings as well as working their way into the live shows.
Devils Island started gigging in the summer of 2003. The first show took place in the downtown Manhattan bar called “Orange Bear”, which was followed by a local show at the largely missed Lamours in Brooklyn. With every show the crowd’s grew bigger, drawn in by the bands unique sound and electrifying stage show. The latter one’s success enabled Devils Island to get opening spots for such metal masters as Entombed, King Diamond, and Symphony X in the fall and winter of the same year.
Around the time of the King Diamond show, Ivan had to leave the band, and thus a friend of the band Dima K. (current guitarist) became the newest addition to Devils Island. Dima has also had massive band experience, previously playing in a number of local bands such as the short-lived local master-talent Xenith, and multi-genre unit En Vayne, where he is currently playing as well. His input has accented the double guitar attack of DI and has brought a highly melodic take on the band’s songwriting as well and a new vivacity to their live show.
To date, the band has played a number of prominent venues all over NYC, and is always looking to make its next show better, bigger, and louder than the last. In early 2004, Devils Island channeled it’s live energy into a 4-track demo recorded at W.Y.H. studios in Brooklyn. With a solid song-base, and the ever-increasing live experience this young energetic band is on its way to make an impact on the local metal scene, as well as to eventually go beyond New York City’s borders and then the world. The band is hungry for every and any spot to play, because after all the live experience was their main goal for forming the band. The two years of its existence are just the beginning of this constantly evolving five-piece, which plays real metal without pretense and is willing to go wherever the music takes it.
Music Style
Georgi Haralanov
BIOGRAPHY
Power/Old-School Metal
DISCOGRAPHY
4 Track DEMO
BAND MEMBERS
VOCALS
Alex Treyer
GUITAR
Dmitry Kitaygorodsky
GUITAR
Serjey Deych
BASS
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DRUMS
