View source for To-Mera

{{Use British English|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Refimprove|date=August 2008}}
{{Infobox musical artist | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name              = To-Mera
| image             =
| caption           =
| image_size        =
| background        = group_or_band
| alias             =
| origin            = [[South Oxfordshire]], England
| genre             = [[Progressive metal]]
| years_active      = 2004–2014 (currently on hiatus)
| label             = [[Candlelight Records]]<br/>Illusionary Records
| associated_acts   = [[Haken (Band)|Haken]]<br>[[Extreme Noise Terror]]<br>Euphonia<ref>{{cite web |url=https://euphonia.bandcamp.com/ |title = Music {{!}} Euphonia}}</ref>
| website           = [http://www.to-mera.com/ To-Mera website]
| current_members   = Julie Kiss<br/>[[Thomas MacLean]]<br/>Mark Harrington<br/>[[Richard Henshall]]<br/>Paul Westwood
| past_members      = Akos Pirisi<br/>Hugo Sheppard<br/>Lee Barrett
}}
'''To-Mera''' are an English [[progressive metal]] band from [[South Oxfordshire]]. They were formed in 2004 and play a technical style of metal characterized by long songs, multiple time changes and jazz interludes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Introduction |url=http://www.to-mera.com/#activities |website=To-Mera Official Website |accessdate=11 November 2019}}</ref>
==History==
===Formation of the band===
The word 'To-Mera' has been loosely translated to mean "The Land of the Pyramid", as cited in ''The Secret History of Ancient Egypt'' by [[James Herbert Brennan|Herbie Brennan]]. However, the true meaning of the word is disputed. To-Mera cite their other influences as [[Opeth]], [[Evergrey]], [[Symphony X]], [[Dream Theater]] and [[Pain of Salvation]].
The idea for starting a new band came to Julie Kiss immediately after her departure from Without Face. However, it took nearly two years for the final line-up to take shape.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=200&Itemid=1|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013121854/http://soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=200&Itemid=1|url-status=dead|title=Early interview with whole band|archivedate=13 October 2007}}</ref> Following her departure from the Hungarian progressive metal band [[Without Face]], vocalist Julie Kiss decided to form the band To-Mera with bass player Lee Barrett. At the start of 2004 they began searching for full-time members and Akos Pirisi was brought in on drums, followed by guitarist Tom MacLean and a full-time keyboard player, Hugo Sheppard.
===Split with Candlelight===
To-Mera began writing new material towards the end of 2008. By the years end, the band confirmed that they had two songs almost complete, with a significant portion of time being dedicated to the songwriting process in 2009.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=110799 | title = TO-MERA Begins Writing New Material | website= [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = 2008-12-13 | accessdate = 2008-12-18}}</ref> In mid-2009, the band announced they had parted ways with Candlelight Records.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=45167 | title = TO-MERA Splits With Candlelight Records | website=Metalundergound.com | date = 2009-06-06 | accessdate = 2009-09-29}}</ref>
==Personnel==
;Current members
*Julie Kiss - vocals <small>(2004–present)</small>
*[[Thomas MacLean]] - guitars <small>(2004–present)</small>
*Paul Westwood - drums <small>(2006–present)</small>
*[[Richard Henshall]] - keyboards <small>(2007–present)</small>
*Mark Harrington - bass <small>(2008–present)</small>
;Former members
*Hugo Sheppard - keyboards <small>(2004-2006)</small>
*Akos Pirisi - drums <small>(2004-2006)</small>
*Lee Barrett - bass <small>(2004-2008)</small>
==Discography==
*(2005) ''Demo'' - The band recorded their debut demo in July 2005 at The Peel rehearsal rooms in [[Kingston upon Thames]], and it was mixed in France by producer Brett Caldas-Lima. It was nominated "Demo of the Month" at Organ Magazine, Zero Tolerance magazine and Imperiumi.net (Finland). [[Candlelight Records]] made a multi-album, worldwide deal with To-Mera, which was signed on 7 January 2006.
*(2006) ''[[Transcendental (album)|Transcendental]]'' - To-Mera recorded their debut album ''[[Transcendental (album)|Transcendental]]'' in May–June 2006, with producer Brett Caldas-Lima. Drums, guitars and vocals were recorded in [[Veszprém]] (Hungary), while the bass and keyboards were recorded in London (England). The [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|audio mixing]] and [[audio mastering|mastering]] took place at Tower Studio in [[Montpellier]] (France). The album was released in Europe on 11 September 2006 and 3 October 2006 in the USA. ''Transcendental'' received positive reviews after its release in Europe, with recognition for its ingenuity and technical proficiency. The band also received a positive four Ks review in the October 2006 issue of the British music magazine ''[[Kerrang!]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.candlelightrecords.co.uk/candleweb/redesign/candle_feature.htm|title=Candlelight newsletter mentioning ''Kerrang!'' review|website=Candlelightrecords.co.uk}}</ref> The band chose to sign with The Agency Group for promotions. The Agency Group also expressed interest in getting To-Mera to play in the USA.
*(2008) ''[[Delusions (To-Mera album)|Delusions]]'' - To-Mera worked on the album named ''[[Delusions (To-Mera album)|Delusions]]'' which was released on 18 February 2008. A few days after the release of the album, bassist and founding member Lee Barrett announced his departure from the band, and was replaced by Mark Harrington.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=91553 | title = TO-MERA Parts Ways With Bassist, Announces Replacement | website= [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = 2008-02-25 | accessdate = 2008-04-19}}</ref> The band played several shows in support of the album, including a headlining slot at the Dames of Darkness festival in [[Birmingham]], [[England]].
*(2009) ''[[Earthbound (To-Mera EP)|Earthbound (EP)]]'' - September saw the completion of the ''[[Earthbound (To-Mera EP)|Earthbound]]'' EP, which was released in October.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=127839 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120909145828/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=127839 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2012-09-09 | title = TO-MERA: New EP Teaser Posted Online | website= [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = 2009-09-29 | accessdate = 2009-09-29 }}</ref>
*(2012) ''Exile'' -  The band began working on their third album in late 2010<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=62082 | title = To-Mera Begins Work On New Album | website = Metalunderground.com | date = 2010-11-14 | accessdate = 2011-01-22}}</ref> and began recording in early 2012.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=167708 | title = TO-MERA Prepares To Record Third Album | website= Blabbermouth.net | date = 2011-12-28 | accessdate = 2012-08-21}}</ref> The record, entitled ''Exile'', was released on 24 September of the year 2012.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=82328 | title = To-Mera Unveils New Album Artwork | website= Metalunderground.com | date = 2012-07-06 | accessdate = 2012-08-21}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.myspace.com/tomeraband To-Mera MySpace page]
*[http://www.towerstudio.net/ Tower Studio's official site]
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2004]]
[[Category:English progressive metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Candlelight Records artists]]