TARAMIS

In 1983 Taramis was formed as Prowler in Melbourne with the line-up of Joe Cordina on drums, Danny Komorr on bass guitar, Mick "Lights" Cawthan on lead guitar, Craig Robertson on lead guitar, and Shane "Joel" Southby on lead vocals. Initially Prowler played cover versions of Iron Maiden and Manowar material. Cawthan was replaced by Andrew Rigo on guitar, but Rigo left soon after.

In 1985 Cordina was replaced on drums by Dave Browne and by this time the group was playing more original material and changed their name to Taramis – from the 1984 film, Conan the Destroyer. In late 1986, the band recorded their debut album, 'Queen of Thieves', which appeared on the Metal for Melbourne record label in August 1987. It was produced and engineered by George Simak (Black Jack). Before its release Komorr was replaced on bass guitar by Evan Harris. The group toured interstate and signed with United States label, Metal Blade, to issue the album in North America in the following year. Early in 1990 Robertson left and was replaced by George Larin (ex-New Religion, Nothing Sacred) on lead guitar.

Larin added a "more inventive and forceful playing style to the band's sound". In April 1992 their second album, 'Stretch of the Imagination', was released. It was recorded at Oasis Studios with Doug Saunders (Mass Confusion) producing. In July that year they supported Brazilian band, Sepultura, at their Melbourne concert. Taramis disbanded early in 1993. Australian rock music historian, Ian McFarlane, noted they were "one of the first local groups to play a brand of 'progressive' heavy metal in the style of overseas acts ... Taramis infused its esoteric music with an epic, mystical feel. Man-mountain frontman Joel Southby also possessed a booming rock voice which added an edge to the band's billowing, blustering song arrangements". On 6 January 2009 Dave Browne died, aged 45 years-old; Taramis reunited in June to play a benefit concert in Browne's honour. Also, that month both albums were re-released by My Graveyard Records with bonus tracks. In 2022 German label Golden Core rereleased both albums on CD.

Members

Shane "Joel" Southby (vocals), George Larin (guitar), Evan Harris (bass), Dave Browne (drums), Danny Komorr (bass), Craig Robertson (guitar)

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taramis