Everon

Hard-edged neo-progressive band from Germany, influenced by later Marillion and Rush. The group was formed in 1989 by Ralf Janssen, Christian Moos, and Schymy, who had been playing together for a few years. Everon was completed when the band added lead singer Oliver Phillips, formerly of Jester's Palace. Their first album, Paradoxes (1993), was a strong debut that found the band playing song-oriented, if complex prog material. Although the album was received well, the group's label, SI Music, went bankrupt and the band did not sell as many albums as hoped. Although they thought of splitting up, Everon soon signed to another label and released the heavier Venus in 1997, the group's most mature work to date. Janssen left the group in 1998 and was replaced by Ulli Hoever. Fantasma (2000) was even heavier than Venus and in places even edged on progressive metal in the grand style of bands like Savatage.