Echoterra
American symphonic power metal band from Minneapolis.
Echoterra is a symphonic power metal band from Minneapolis, Minnesota, formed in 2007 by Jonah Weingarten and Yan Leviathan. The group’s sound combines symphonic and power metal styles, and its lineup has changed several times over the years.
The band’s first album, *The Law of One*, came out on September 15, 2009, through Blinding Force Recordings. Vocalist Suvi Virtanen, who had performed live with Therion, joined in 2008 but left in 2009 because living in Sweden made live shows difficult. She was replaced by Melissa Ferlaak, previously of Aesma Daeva and Visions of Atlantis. Drummer John Gensmer also left in 2009, with Adam Sagan taking over. An EP, *In Your Eyes*, featuring remastered songs, was released on January 5, 2009, and the band began performing live regularly in 2010.
The second album, *Land of the Midnight Sun*, was released on October 17, 2011. On March 13, 2012, Ferlaak announced her departure due to musical differences. Chelsea Wrathchild, former lead vocalist of Hollowstone, debuted as the new singer on the 2014 EP *A Sanguinary Greed*.
Current members include Jonah Weingarten (keyboards, orchestration), Yan Leviathan (guitars), Adam Sagan (drums), Chelsea Wrathchild (vocals), and Cory Scheider (bass, since 2014). Former members are Suvi Virtanen (vocals, 2008–2009), Melissa Ferlaak (vocals, 2009–2012), John Gensmer (drums, 2007–2009), Brian Hollenbeck (bass, 2007–2011), and Sam Van Moer (bass, 2011–2013). The band has released two studio albums, two EPs, and two singles: "After the Rain" (2011) and "Sirens of Sinew and Sin" (2014).
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
- Genre
- Symphonic Power Metal
- Years Active
- 2007-present
- Label
- Blinding Force Recordings
- Current Members
- Jonah Weingarten / Yan Leviathan / Adam Sagan / Chelsea Wrathchild / Cory Scheider
- Past Members
- Melissa Ferlaak / Brian Hollenbeck / John Gensmer / Sam Van Moer / Suvi Virtanen
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Echoterra was formed in Minneapolis in 2007 by Jonah Weingarten and Yan Leviathan. In 2008, Suvi Virtanen, once a live member of Therion, joined as vocalist, with Brian Hollenbeck on bass and vocals and John Gensmer on drums completing the initial lineup. The band's debut album, The Law of One, was released on September 15, 2009 on Blinding Force Recordings. Virtanen's residence in Sweden made live performances difficult, leading to her departure in 2009; she was replaced by Melissa Ferlaak, who had sung in Aesma Daeva and Visions Of Atlantis. Adam Sagan replaced Gensmer on drums that same year. On January 5, 2009, Echoterra released the In Your Eyes EP with remastered songs, and in 2010 the band began regularly performing live.
Reader's Guide
Echoterra's significance lies in its contribution to the American symphonic power metal scene, particularly through its debut album The Law of One and the subsequent Land of the Midnight Sun. The band's frequent vocalist changes—from Suvi Virtanen to Melissa Ferlaak to Chelsea Wrathchild—reflect the challenges of maintaining a stable lineup in a niche genre. Despite these changes, Echoterra continued to release music, including the EP A Sanguinary Greed in 2014. Their legacy is marked by a consistent symphonic metal sound and a dedicated following, though they never achieved mainstream breakthrough. The band's history illustrates the dynamics of independent metal bands navigating lineup shifts and geographical constraints.
Did You Know?
- Suvi Virtanen, the band's first vocalist, was once a live member of Therion.
- Melissa Ferlaak, who replaced Virtanen, had previously sung in Aesma Daeva and Visions Of Atlantis.
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