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.[2]
To-Mera | |
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Origin | South Oxfordshire, England |
Genres | Progressive metal |
Years active | 2004–2014 (currently on hiatus) |
Labels | Candlelight Records Illusionary Records |
Members | Julie Kiss Thomas MacLean Mark Harrington Richard Henshall Paul Westwood |
Past members | Akos Pirisi Hugo Sheppard Lee Barrett |
Website | To-Mera website |
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 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.[3] 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.
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.[4] In mid-2009, the band announced they had parted ways with Candlelight Records.[5]