Mania (15)

Mania was a german 5-piece Heavy Metal band formed in November 1982, in Hamburg, by Uli Kurth (ex-Black Mirror) and Thies Bendixen (ex-Gewgaw). Soon Frank Nottelman and Didy Mackel (both ex-Maison) joined the band, followed by Matthias Eisele. In the following months the band worked hard and found its own style of powerful Hard Rock with a melodious touch. In April '83 Mania produced their Ist demo. The 4-track demo and articles about the band published in some magazines like 'Aardschok' (Dutch), 'Metal Hammer' (Germany) and 'Power Infusion' made the group well known outside the borders of Germany, like the Netherlands and Belgium. A lot of gigs, in and outside of Hamburg, some of them together with Syron Vanes (Sweden), Cutty Sark (Germany) and Blaspheme (France) made Mania to one of the best known Metal bands in Northern Germany. In March '84 Mania produced their 2nd demo called 'Break The Silence', which incl. 6 tracks. The demo was distributed worldwide by the band to spread their kind of melodic Heavy Metal. The result was a lot of airplay in radio stations and sales around the 400 copies. More articles in magazines like french 'Metal Attack' and 'Enfer'. 'Rock Cigale' (France) voted as the best and most excited group of 1984. Some successful gigs occur with Helloween and Black Tears. After some changes in the formation, Uli is replaced by Sven Wendland, a 6-track demo is recorded on January 1986. On July 1986 the band recorded their 4th demo, titled 'Heavy Metal'. The two-track demo which they sold at gigs, using the proceeds to finance an independent single. The 7"single released on October 1987 saw the departure of vocalist Sven. Enter new vocalist Chris Klauke. The mini-LP 'Wizard Of The Lost Kingdom', released in November 1988, was consistently positive with listeners and critics. A video clip for the track 'Gods Of Fire' was broadcast several times on TELE 5 and RTL Plus. Mania gained live experience not only in their home country but also in other European countries, together with well-known Heavy acts (Doro, Running Wild, Helloween, Sinner). After several successful appearances on April '89, Mania went back to the studio in early June to record their new LP 'Changing Times'. Released by Noise International on September 8th, 1989. Mania opens for Heavens Gate from October 6th to 14th 1989, in Germany, and continues with the 'Changing Times Tour' 89'. Soon after, Chris Klauke, Frank Nottelmann and Didy Mackel left the band. After various line-up changes, the band split, around 1990.