Circle II Circle
Circle II Circle is an American progressive metal band formed in 2001 in Tampa, Florida, by vocalist Zak Stevens after his departure from the band Savatage.[1][2] The group is known for its melodic heavy metal sound, drawing heavily from Savatage's style while incorporating progressive elements such as intricate instrumentation and thematic depth exploring society, dreams, and relationships.[2][3] Founded amid lineup shifts in the Tampa metal scene, Circle II Circle debuted with the album Watching in Silence in 2003, featuring contributions from Savatage alumni like Jon Oliva on keyboards and Chris Caffery on guitar.[2] Subsequent releases, including The Middle of Nowhere (2005), Burden of Truth (2006), Delusions of Grandeur (2008), Consequence of Power (2010), Seasons Will Fall (2013), and Reign of Darkness (2015), showcased evolving lineups and a blend of power metal riffs with hard rock influences.[4] The band experienced frequent member changes, with past contributors including guitarists Matt LaPorte, Bill Hudson, and Christian Wentz, bassist Kevin Rothney, and drummers like Jack Frost and Marcelo Moreira.[1] Although Circle II Circle has been largely inactive since 2015, releasing no new studio material in the ensuing decade, Stevens has expressed interest in potential future projects while focusing on other endeavors like the band Archon Angel.[4] Signed to the label earMUSIC, the band maintains a legacy through live performances, including a notable appearance at Wacken Open Air in 2012, and continues to appeal to fans of progressive and power metal for its emotive songwriting and Stevens' distinctive vocal delivery.[5][2]History
Formation and debut (2001–2003)
Circle II Circle was formed in 2001 in Tampa, Florida, by vocalist Zachary Stevens shortly after his departure from Savatage in 2000 to prioritize family commitments, with longtime friend and manager Dan Campbell serving as co-founder and handling business operations.[6][2] Stevens, who had fronted Savatage for several albums, sought to continue performing heavy metal while maintaining a more balanced schedule, drawing on his prior experience as the catalyst for the new project.[4] The initial lineup assembled for the band's debut featured guitarists Matt LaPorte—who had previously auditioned for Savatage—and David "Cid" Rodgers, alongside bassist Kevin Rothney, drummer Christopher Kinder, and keyboardist John Zahner, creating a core ensemble rooted in the local Tampa metal scene.[7] Songwriting for the debut album involved significant contributions from Savatage affiliates Jon Oliva and Chris Caffery, who co-wrote most tracks, infusing the material with progressive elements and melodic structures reminiscent of Stevens' former band.[2][8] The band's self-titled debut album, Watching in Silence, was released on April 29, 2003, through AFM Records, with distribution handled by SPV/Steamhammer in Europe.[9] Co-produced by the band, Jon Oliva, and engineer Jim Morris at Morrisound Recording studio in Tampa, the album showcased a blend of power metal riffs and orchestral touches, highlighted by tracks like "Against the Wall"—a high-energy opener—and the title track, which emphasized Stevens' soaring vocals.[7][10] To promote the release, Circle II Circle undertook early live efforts, including performances at the Tampa Metal Fest in Florida and the Rock Hard Festival in Germany, marking their initial foray into European audiences alongside short regional tours that built momentum for the progressive metal outfit.[11] These appearances helped establish the band's presence in the metal community, focusing on high-profile showcases rather than extensive touring at the outset.[8]Expansion and lineup shifts (2004–2010)
In 2005, Circle II Circle released the EP All That Remains through AFM Records, featuring tracks such as "In This Life," "All That Remains," and "Open Season," which showcased the band's evolving sound with contributions from new members.[12] This was followed later that year by their second studio album, The Middle of Nowhere, also on AFM Records, marking a shift in production style toward a more polished progressive power metal aesthetic while incorporating keyboard elements from John Zahner.[13] The album highlighted lineup changes following the departure of original members after the debut, with Zak Stevens remaining as the sole constant on vocals; new additions included guitarists Andrew Lee and Evan Christopher, bassist Paul Michael Stewart, and drummer Tom Drennan. These shifts stabilized the band amid its expansion, allowing for broader songwriting exploration tied to Stevens' Savatage roots. The third album, Burden of Truth, arrived in 2006 via AFM Records, accompanied by the EP Revelations (also on AFM), which included a single edit of the title track alongside acoustic and alternative versions of other songs.[14] This release delved into themes of personal struggle and introspection, with co-writing credits extending from earlier collaborations involving Jon Oliva and Chris Caffery, though production remained band-led.[2] Lineup stability persisted with the core from The Middle of Nowhere, but the period saw further adjustments, including Stewart's expanded role on bass and keyboards, contributing to the album's conceptual depth.[15] European touring intensified around this time, building the band's presence in the power metal scene through festival appearances and club shows. By 2008, Delusions of Grandeur emerged as the fourth studio album on AFM Records, featuring ties to Savatage through co-writing with Jon Oliva on select tracks and the release of the single "Every Last Thing" as an EP with additional content like "So Many Reasons."[16] Guitarist Bill Hudson joined temporarily, adding fresh dynamics to the rhythm section alongside returning members, while the album emphasized melodic hooks and orchestral undertones.[17] This era reflected commercial progress, with increased international exposure via European runs that bolstered their fanbase. The fifth album, Consequence of Power, was issued in 2010 by AFM Records, signaling a stylistic pivot toward heavier riffs and more aggressive structures while maintaining Stevens' vocal prominence.[18] Drummer changes occurred, with Johnny Osborn replacing Drennan to support expanded touring, including further European dates that solidified Circle II Circle's niche in the power metal community.[19] These developments capped a phase of frequent member flux and output growth, positioning the band at its creative peak before later shifts.[20]Later releases and hiatus (2011–present)
In 2012, Circle II Circle released the compilation album Full Circle: The Best of Circle II Circle, a two-disc remastered collection that highlighted key tracks from the band's first five studio albums and served as a retrospective of their early career achievements.[21] Issued by AFM Records on July 20, this release captured the evolution of their progressive power metal sound while marking a transitional point amid ongoing lineup adjustments.[22] The band's sixth studio album, Seasons Will Fall, followed on January 25, 2013, featuring a refreshed lineup that included guitarists Bill Hudson and Christian Wentz, drummer Adam Sagan, bassist and keyboardist Paul Michael Stewart, and keyboardist Henning Wanner, with Zak Stevens on lead vocals.[23] The record incorporated symphonic and orchestral elements into its progressive heavy metal structure, blending intricate arrangements with Stevens' soaring melodies to explore themes of emotional turmoil and resilience.[23] Released via earMUSIC, this effort reflected the group's continued refinement of their sound following prior personnel shifts. In 2014, Circle II Circle issued Live at Wacken: Official Bootleg, a live album documenting their August 2012 performance at Wacken Open Air, where the band delivered a set focused on Savatage's The Wake of Magellan album.[24] Released on August 22 via Armoury Records, the eight-track recording preserved the energy of the festival appearance, emphasizing Stevens' vocal prowess and the band's tight instrumentation in a raw, unpolished format.[25] The seventh and final studio album to date, Reign of Darkness, arrived on October 16, 2015, through earMUSIC, delivering a darker, more aggressive power metal aesthetic centered on themes of inner turmoil, loss, and psychological struggle.[26] Produced with contributions from former Savatage members Jon Oliva on keyboards and Chris Caffery on guitar, the album featured propulsive riffs and melodic intensity, underscoring Stevens' emotive delivery amid the band's evolving heaviness.[27] This release, retaining core members like Sagan on drums, stood as a potent closer to their studio output. The band's momentum was tragically halted by the death of drummer Adam Sagan on December 6, 2016, at age 36, following a year-long battle with lymphoma.[28] Sagan, who had contributed to Seasons Will Fall and Reign of Darkness, was remembered by the metal community for his technical skill and collaborations with acts like Into Eternity and Witherfall; his loss deeply affected Stevens and the remaining members, contributing to a period of reflection and reduced activity.[29] Following Reign of Darkness, Circle II Circle entered an extended hiatus, with no new studio releases or major tours announced by 2025.[4] Stevens shifted focus to other endeavors, including ongoing performances with Trans-Siberian Orchestra—where he has been a lead vocalist since 1996—and the launch of his progressive metal project Archon Angel in 2019, which released its debut album Fallen in 2020 and followed with II in 2023.[30] By late 2025, the band remained inactive, though Stevens' involvement in Savatage's official reunion and 2025-2026 headline tours—including European dates and festivals—sparked informal discussions among fans about potential Circle II Circle revivals, without any confirmed developments for the project itself.[31]Musical style and influences
Core genres and evolution
Circle II Circle's primary genres encompass power metal and progressive metal, blended with elements of traditional heavy metal. The band's sound is characterized by melodic, soaring vocals delivered by frontman Zak Stevens, whose style draws directly from his tenure in Savatage, emphasizing emotional depth and range primarily in clean, high-register tones. Instrumentation features dual guitar harmonies that create layered, driving riffs, supported by a robust rhythm section of complex drumming and prominent bass lines that propel the music forward. Occasional symphonic touches appear through keyboard layers, adding atmospheric depth reminiscent of progressive rock influences.[2][32][33] The band's core sound evolved significantly across its discography, beginning with a strong progressive metal foundation in their early releases from 2003 to 2006. Albums like Watching in Silence (2003), The Middle of Nowhere (2005), and Burden of Truth (2006), co-written with Savatage collaborators Jon Oliva and Chris Caffery, leaned heavily into intricate arrangements and orchestration-inspired elements, mirroring Savatage's theatrical and progressive style while establishing Circle II Circle's identity. This period highlighted technical complexity and melodic hooks, with influences from Savatage's emotive song structures and broader progressive metal traditions akin to Dream Theater's precision.[2][33][32] By the mid-period from 2008 to 2010, the sound shifted toward tighter, more streamlined power metal riffs, refining the progressive elements into more accessible, riff-driven compositions. Releases such as Delusions of Grandeur (2008) and Consequence of Power (2010) emphasized melodic power metal with subtle groove influences, reducing some of the earlier orchestration in favor of punchy guitar work and rhythmic drive, partly due to lineup changes that streamlined the ensemble to a core quartet. Delusions of Grandeur marked a harder, rougher, and faster direction compared to prior works. This evolution maintained the band's heavy metal roots while incorporating galloping rhythms evocative of Iron Maiden's classic style, focusing on emotional intensity through Stevens' vocals.[2][34][35][36] In later works from 2013 to 2015, Circle II Circle incorporated darker, heavier tones, venturing into more aggressive power metal territory. Albums like Seasons Will Fall (2013) and Reign of Darkness (2015) blended introspective Savatage-esque melodies with invigorated, hateful riffs and a modern progressive edge, representing a deliberate artistic transformation to avoid repetition and introduce fresh surprises in mixing and arrangement. This phase solidified the band's evolution by fusing their foundational influences—Savatage's theatricality and technical progressive metal—with heavier, more contemporary heavy metal dynamics.[35][37][38]Songwriting and thematic elements
Circle II Circle's songwriting process is primarily driven by vocalist Zachary Stevens in collaboration with the band's guitarists and bassist, emphasizing a structured approach that begins with musical foundations before layering in lyrics and vocal arrangements. Guitarists and bassist Mitch Stewart typically initiate the process by composing riffs and basic structures, which are shared with Stevens via MP3 files for refinement. Stevens then contributes arrangements, all lyrics, and vocal melodies, often iterating through multiple revisions to ensure cohesion, resulting in hook-driven choruses and classic verse-chorus formats that prioritize melodic accessibility. This method allows for efficient remote collaboration, particularly during periods of lineup changes, and has been consistent across albums since the band's early years.[39][40] The band's lyrical themes recurrently explore personal redemption, isolation, truth-seeking, and internal conflicts, often framed through introspective narratives that draw from Stevens' observations of real-world events and human struggles. Early works frequently delved into societal issues, dreams, and relationships, with motifs of isolation evident in tracks depicting urban alienation and emotional solitude, such as the song "Redemption," which portrays a protagonist navigating a "cold dark city" in search of renewal. Truth-seeking emerges prominently in concept-driven pieces, like the album Burden of Truth, which examines moral dilemmas and conspiratorial revelations inspired by broader cultural narratives. Later albums, such as Consequence of Power, incorporate societal critiques on greed and the perils of unchecked power, alongside emotional burdens like regret and resilience, shifting toward more personal reflections on life's consequences.[2][41][40][42] Stevens' lyrical style is poetic and narrative-oriented, crafting introspective stories that build dramatic tension through vivid imagery and philosophical undertones, enhanced by his powerful, theatrical vocal delivery that underscores themes of redemption and conflict. This approach creates immersive arcs, where verses set scenes of isolation or doubt, resolved in anthemic choruses symbolizing hope or confrontation, as seen in "Burden of Truth," which grapples with ethical quandaries and the weight of hidden realities without resolving into fantasy battles but grounding them in personal and societal tension.[39][43] Collaboratively, the process integrates contributions from former Savatage members like Jon Oliva and Chris Caffery, particularly in the band's formative albums, where co-writes infused continuity with Savatage's progressive elements while adapting to Circle II Circle's heavier power metal leanings. Stevens and Oliva co-authored several tracks early on, blending Oliva's riff ideas with Stevens' thematic depth, but post-2008 releases evolved toward in-house writing led by Stevens and core members like Stewart, fostering a more personal, less concept-album-centric style that prioritizes standalone songs over overarching narratives. This shift reflects a deliberate move to establish the band's independent identity, reducing external influences while maintaining melodic and thematic integrity.[39][40]Band members
Current members
Last known lineup as of 2015 (Reign of Darkness), with the band on hiatus and no touring or new recordings since approximately 2019.[4][44] Zak Stevens – lead vocals, keyboards (2001–present), founder and primary songwriter; former Savatage vocalist influencing the progressive power metal sound.[2] Paul Michael "Mitch" Stewart – bass, backing vocals, keyboards (2003–present), contributing to layered arrangements across all post-debut albums.[1] Bill Hudson – guitars (2008–2009, 2012–2013, 2015–present), known for technical leads and solos.[44][45] Christian Wentz – guitars (2012–present), adding songwriting, production, and vocal harmonies.[44][46] Marcelo Moreira – drums (2015–present), providing rhythms for Reign of Darkness and any subsequent plans.[44][47] Henning Wanner – keyboards (2012–present), incorporating symphonic and orchestral elements.[44][48]Former members
Circle II Circle's former members shaped the band's sound during its active years, with frequent changes due to side projects, touring demands, and personal losses. The original lineup (except Stevens) disbanded after Watching in Silence (2003), joining Jon Oliva's Pain.[2] Matt LaPorte – lead guitar (2001–2003; died 2011), contributing solos and riffs to the debut album.[49][50] David "Cid" Rodgers – guitar (2001–2002), involved in early live performances.[51] Kevin Rothney – bass (2001–2003), anchoring the debut's rhythm section.[52] John Zahner – keyboards (2001–2005), adding orchestral layers to early releases including The Middle of Nowhere (2005).[53] Christopher Kinder – drums (2001–2003), part of the original lineup for the debut. Evan Christopher – guitars, backing vocals (2004–2008), featured on The Middle of Nowhere and Burden of Truth (2006).[1] Andrew "Andy" Lee – guitars, backing vocals (2004–2010, 2011, brief 2013 return), co-writing on later albums like Seasons Will Fall (2013).[54] Tom Drennan – drums, backing vocals (2003–2009), providing support for The Middle of Nowhere, Burden of Truth, and Delusions of Grandeur (2008).[16] Johnny Osborn – drums (2009–2011), performing on Consequence of Power (2010).[55][56] Adam Sagan – drums (2011–2013; died 2016), contributing to Seasons Will Fall amid his battle with cancer.[28][23] Jayson Moore – drums (2013, touring), announced alongside Seasons Will Fall promotion.[54] These changes reflect challenges like lineup instability, touring toll, and losses, leading to the 2015 configuration and subsequent hiatus.[2]Timeline
| Year | Event | Joins | Leaves |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Formation in Tampa, Florida, by Zak Stevens post-Savatage. | Zak Stevens (vocals, keyboards), Matt LaPorte (guitars), David "Cid" Rodgers (guitars), Kevin Rothney (bass), John Zahner (keyboards), Christopher Kinder (drums) | N/A |
| 2003 | Watching in Silence release; original members (except Stevens) depart to join Jon Oliva's Pain. | N/A | David "Cid" Rodgers (guitars), Matt LaPorte (guitars), Kevin Rothney (bass), John Zahner (keyboards), Christopher Kinder (drums)[2][57] |
| 2003–2004 | Rebuild for The Middle of Nowhere (2005) and touring. | Paul Michael "Mitch" Stewart (bass, backing vocals, keyboards), Andrew "Andy" Lee (guitars, backing vocals), Evan Christopher (guitars, backing vocals), Tom Drennan (drums, backing vocals) | N/A[58] |
| 2008 | Evan Christopher departs before Delusions of Grandeur. | N/A | Evan Christopher (guitars)[59] |
| 2009–2011 | Lineup for Consequence of Power (2010). | Johnny Osborn (drums) | Tom Drennan (drums)[40][55] |
| 2011–2013 | Shifts for Seasons Will Fall (2013); Andy Lee brief return. | Adam Sagan (drums), Christian Wentz (guitars), Henning Wanner (keyboards), Andrew "Andy" Lee (guitars, brief) | Johnny Osborn (drums), Andrew "Andy" Lee (guitars, main)[54][23] |
| 2015 | New rhythm section for Reign of Darkness. | Bill Hudson (guitars, return), Marcelo Moreira (drums) | Adam Sagan (drums, inactive due to health), Andrew "Andy" Lee (guitars)[60][44][61] |
| 2016 | Death of former drummer Adam Sagan from cancer at age 36. | N/A | N/A (not active)[28] |
| 2015–present | Hiatus after Reign of Darkness; no new releases or announced changes as of November 2025; Stevens focuses on side projects like Archon Angel. | N/A | N/A[4][2] |