Saris

German act SARIS was founded back in 1981 by Derk Akkerman (guitars), with Johannes Stuecker (vocals), Udo Kellermann (bass, vocals), Wolfgang Schneidereit (keyboards) and Wolfgang Voight (drums) taking up the other slots in the band. In 1982 and -83 they toured extensively in their native Germany, as well as recording the single Out of Your Night.
For various reasons this line-up didn't last though; and Saris went on the backburner for a few years. In 1992 a new line-up was in place though; as Martin Gellhaus (vocals), Udo Raitzig (bass), Stefan kremer (keyboards) and Helge Bungert (drums, vocals) joined Akkermann for the recording of an album, released as Dead End Street in 1993. A subsequent tour followed; and at the end of this Raitzig and Bungert left, first and foremost because extensive touring was too tiring for them.
It took several years before replacements were found, but in 1998 Lutz Guenther (bass) and Achim Schmidt (drums, keyboards) joined Saris; and for the next year recording sessions took place; with highly promising results allo band members were exceedingly pleased with. Sadly, personal issues saw to it that the band split in 2000.
In 2006 Akkerman, Schmidt and Guenther decided to give the band another go; and with the addition of Anja Guenther (vocals) and Thomas Hackmann (vocals) new recordings were planned; and in 2009 a finished album saw the light of day - Curse of Time.
The album gets favourable reviews, and their mix of vintage Neo-Progressive rock and progressive metal is generally deemed likeable.
But on May 23rd 2009 disaster strikes, when Achim Schmidt suddenly dies after suffering pulmonary embolism. His contribution to Saris' latest album had been essential; and the fate of the band following this is uncertain.
http://sarisband.net