Daeonia

Plagued by record-label turnovers and lack of promotion, Netherlands-based goth heavy metal band Daeonia never achieved the success they deserved. Their debut album, Craven, was held up for two years before being released by British label Candlelight, in 1999, losing the momentum of their independently produced four-track mini-CD, Morphic Lands, released two years earlier. Formed in 1993, as Aeon, the future members of Daeonia released two successful demos under that name. The Dreaming Moment, released in 1997, was named "demo of the month" by Dutch magazine, AARDSCHOK. Changing their name to Daeonia in 1997, the band appeared to be on the crest of success. Within two weeks of the change, they released Morphic Lands and had caught the ear of executives at Candelight, who signed them to a record deal. Their hopes crumbled, however, as Candlelight experienced executive changes. It took two years to get things straightened out. The problems continued when Daeonia's second album, Crescendo, recorded during the winter of 2000, failed to be their commercial breakthrough. Vocalist Louis de Roo, who had joined the group right before recording the album, left the band, taking guitarist Michael Bink with him. Daeonia was forced to reorganize itself as a four-piece group. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide