Biography
For I Am King is a five-piece melodic death metal band hailing from Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The band's lineup comprises vocalist Alma Alizadeh, guitarists Koen Scheepens and Wouter Cammelbeeck, bassist Jurgen van Straaten, and drummer Ivo Maarhuis.
Frontwoman Alma Alizadeh's journey into the metal scene was characterized by significant challenges. Born in Iran, she sought refuge in the Netherlands at the age of nine, ultimately finding solace in its more liberal environment. Her involvement as a frontwoman in a death metal band has deep implications, as it could lead to severe repercussions if she were to return to her native country.
The inception of For I Am King took place in September 2013, spearheaded by Alma, Jurgen, and Wouter, all of whom were previously part of the band All Heads Rise. They were joined by drummer Jaap Relou, who left the band in 2020.
Their inaugural EP, "Revengeance," was unveiled on May 27, 2014, under the VHMetal Records label. This release swiftly propelled them into the spotlight of the European Metal scene, paving the way for a recording contract with the esteemed German label, Redfield Records. Subsequent to the EP's success, Jasper van den Broek joined the band as their bassist.
Their debut single, "This is a Warning," made its debut on October 2, 2015, closely followed by "We All Have Demons" on February 12, 2016.
The band's maiden full-length album, "Daemons," was introduced on June 17, 2016. "Daemons" guides listeners through a realm brimming with tales and myths, underscored by fierce metal riffs, distinct melodies, relentless vocals, and ceaseless drum grooves. The band's philosophy centers on a straightforward ethos: metal driven by friendship, work ethic and passion.
Post-release of "Daemons," bassist Jasper's departure prompted Jurgen, who previously held the role of guitarist, to transition to bass duties. This transition led to the introduction of Koen Scheepens, who assumed the position of the second guitarist.
The ensuing years saw the unveiling of four singles in 2018, comprising "Prey" in May, "Forever Blind" in October, followed by "Home" and "Devotion" in November. The themes of "Home" were very close to Alma, but she has said that it isn't especially focused on her journey and experience, but more about the people around you that make you feel at home, emphasizing the importance of a supportive social environment.
On December 7, 2018, the band released their sophomore album, simply titled "I." The years that followed witnessed For I Am King embarking on multiple tours, marking their presence not only across the Netherlands but also in countries like Germany, Japan, and China.
Returning to the forefront with renewed vigor, the band unveiled a quartet of singles, namely "Liars" in September 2022, "Running Up That Hill" in October 2022, "Disciples" in November 2022, and "Trojans" in January 2023. Their third and latest album, "Crown," was introduced on January 19, 2023, under the banner of Prime Collective. Notably, this album showcases a contemporary, intricate, and intense yet melodically captivating strain of metal, all underpinned by Alma Alizadeh's distinctive vocal prowess.
Artist descriptions on Last.fm are editable by everyone. Feel free to contribute!
All user-contributed text on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.
