Editing Power Quest

{{About|the UK power metal band|the software company|PowerQuest|the game|Power Quest (game)}}
{{Refimprove|date=May 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2016}}
{{Short description|British power metal band}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name = Power Quest
| image  = Power Quest.JPG
| landscape = yes
| caption = Power Quest in 2012
| image_size = 
| background = group_or_band
| origin = [[Southampton]], England
| genre = [[Power metal]]
| years_active = 2001–2013, 2016–2023
| label = [[Napalm Records|Napalm]]
| associated_acts = [[DragonForce]], [[Threshold (band)|Threshold]], [[Blind Guardian]], [[Arthemis]], Dendera, [[Shadowkeep]], [[I Am I (band)|I AM I]]
| website = {{URL|power-quest.co.uk}}
| current_members = 
| past_members = [[Steve Williams (keyboardist)|Steve Williams]]<br>Rich Smith<br>Ashley Edison<br> George "The Kid" Karafotis<br>Glyn Williams<br>Bradley Edison<br>Andy Kopczyk<br>Andy Midgley<br>Colin Callanan<br>Dan Owen <br> Gav Owen <br> Adam Bickers<br>[[Sam Totman]]<br>[[ZP Theart]]<br>Steve Scott<br>Alessio Garavello<br>Andre Bargmann<br>Gavin Ward<br>Andrea Martongelli<br>Francesco Tresca<br>[[Bill Hudson (guitarist)|Bill Hudson]]<br>Oliver Holzwarth<br>Pete Morten<br>Ben Randall<br>[[Chitral Somapala]]<br>Paul Finnie
}}

'''Power Quest''' were an English [[power metal]] band from [[Southampton]].  Prior to the band's retirement in 2023, the line-up consisted of keyboardist [[Steve Williams (keyboardist)|Steve Williams]], drummer Rich Smith, vocalist Ashley Edison, guitarists Glyn Williams and George "The Kid" Karafotis, and bassist Bradley Edison.

==History==
===2001–2008===
Power Quest was conceived in March 2001 by keyboardist [[Steve Williams (keyboardist)|Steve Williams]], who had recently departed London power metal band DragonHeart (later called [[DragonForce]]). Steve Scott (another former member of DragonHeart, and also ex-[[Shadowkeep]]) was approached regarding bass duties. Scott was keen to work with his former colleague and accepted the offer.  The original intention was for Power Quest to be entirely based in [[Southampton]], but other than guitarist Adam Bickers, no other interested musicians in the city could be found. For the second guitar slot, they managed to secure the services of their former DragonHeart bandmate [[Sam Totman]], at least in a short-term capacity as his commitment lay with his own band.

The newly founded band recorded a two-track demo which was uploaded onto [[MP3.com]] in August 2001. Recording was supported by [[ZP Theart]] on vocals and Totman along with Bickers on guitars and Scott on bass.

In April 2002, vocalist Alessio Garavello was recruited to the Power Quest ranks. He was recommended to the band by Maurizio Chiarello, label manager at Underground Symphony Records. Garavello flew over for a photo session with the band in May 2002 and returned in June to lay down vocal tracks for the new album. He was accompanied by the guitarist of his band, [[Arthemis]], Andrea Martongelli, who recorded a few guest solos on the album - now named ''Wings of Forever''. Following the album's release, he was recruited as a full-time member to replace Bickers who left to pursue a career as a doctor.

In January 2003, drummer Andre Bargmann was recruited into the Power Quest ranks. Bargmann left the band in July that year, following the release of the second album (''Neverworld''). His place was filled on the tour by Last Hours of Torment drummer Gavin Ward, and eventually on a more permanent basis by Francesco Tresca. Totman also left after the release of ''Neverworld'' because of increased activity in DragonForce.

In November 2004, the band played a show with [[Dream Evil]] and [[Labyrinth (band)|Labyrinth]] in London, and then later in the month the band headed back to Thin Ice studios to record three new songs for the ''Magic Never Dies'' album. In November and December 2005, Power Quest toured on their 'Magic Never Dies tour', playing various dates in the UK, notably The Marquis in London on 25 November. The band followed this with a 'Magic Never Dies Tour part II'. In August 2006, Power Quest announced that current Garavello would be taking up a second role as rhythm guitarist, as the band had been without a second guitar player since Bickers' departure in 2003. In October 2007, an official [[Napalm Records]] [[MySpace]] blog post announced that Power Quest had signed to Napalm Records.

In December 2007, Williams announced on the Official Power Quest forums that there would be five guest appearances on the forthcoming album, ''[[Master of Illusion (album)|Master of Illusion]]''. The first of these was announced as guitarist [[Bill Hudson (guitarist)|Bill Hudson]] from North American power metal band [[Cellador]], who would be providing guest instrumentation on the track "The Vigil". The second of these was announced as keyboardist [[Richard West (keyboardist)|Richard West]] from British [[progressive metal]] band [[Threshold (band)|Threshold]], who would be providing a keyboard solo on the track "Human Machine". The third was revealed as Jorn Viggo Lofstad, from Norwegian [[Power metal#Progressive Power Metal|progressive power metal]] band [[Pagan's Mind]] who shared the stage with Power Quest in their 2006 tour. Fourth was announced as Chris Neighbour from UK [[thrash metal]] band FourwayKill. The final guest was announced on the newly redesigned Power Quest website as [[Bob Katsionis]] from Greek power metal band [[Firewind]] who would provide guest instrumentation on "Save the World".

===Lineup changes, ''Blood Alliance'', and split===
In June 2008, in a press release, the band announced that Hudson, who had previously contributed to the ''Master of Illusion'' album on the track "The Vigil", had joined as joint lead guitarist alongside Martongelli. In January 2009, bassist and founding member Scott decided to quit the band to remain permanently in New Zealand, leaving Williams as the only original member of the band. The band found a replacement bassist, [[Oliver Holzwarth]], from prominent power metal band [[Blind Guardian]]. In April 2009, Williams announced the departure of Hudson, citing Hudson's current location and costs as practical problems for the band.<ref name="BillHudsonLeavesPQ">{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=118077 |title=POWER QUEST Parts Ways With Guitarist BILL HUDSON |publisher=BlabberMouth |access-date=14 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630195749/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=118077 |archive-date=30 June 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In July 2009, lead singer Garavello left the band after seven years and four studio albums to pursue a different musical direction with newly formed [[alternative rock]] band A New Tomorrow.

On 28 September 2009 a new line-up was revealed. This lineup consisted of Pete Morten on vocals (vocalist for My Soliloquy, Metalloid, and Nightmare World and touring guitarist for Threshold), Andy Midgley on guitar (guitarist for female-fronted prog/symphonic metal band Liquid Sky), Ben Randall on guitars (winner of the 2008 'Most Promising Young Guitarist Award' at the international [[Guitar Idol]] competition), Paul Finnie on bass (ex-stage manager for Power Quest and former bassist of post-punk band the Wake), and Rich Smith on drums (touring drummer with [[Vader (band)|Vader]], [[Dark Funeral]], [[Old Man's Child]], [[Green Carnation]] and [[the Blood Divine]] also ex member of Thunder Force and electro-rock/industrial band Aphemia). The band ended 2009 touring the UK with the Michael Schenker Group.

Following a few gigs with the new line-up, it was then announced on 15 March 2010, the sudden departure of front man Morten and guitarist Randall due to musical differences.<ref name="PQPeteBenLeave">{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=136711 |title=POWER QUEST Parts Ways With Singer, Guitarist |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=15 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606071350/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=136711 |archive-date=6 June 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Previously, in February 2009, it had been announced that writing had begun on [[Blood Alliance|Power Quest's 5th studio album]] with demo recording for the record label to begin in March/April 2010 and with recording and production for the album in October 2010 at Foel Studios, Wales. In May 2010, the band announced the arrivals of Sri Lankan vocalist [[Chitral Somapala]] and British guitarist Gavin Owen. It was announced in a press release in August 2010 that nine tracks would appear on the album with one Japanese bonus track. The track listing was confirmed on 18 December 2010.<ref name="BloodAllianceAlbumTrackListing">{{cite web| url=http://www.metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=12557
|title=	Power Quest - Unveil New Album Tracklisting And Cover Art |publisher=Metal Storm |access-date=15 January 2011}}</ref> In November 2010, mixing for the album was scheduled to occur at a studio in [[Vicenza]], Italy, but was disrupted by floods to the area which damaged the studio, delaying production.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ilgiornaledivicenza.it/galleries/Fotogallery/1472/1/ |title=Il Giornale di Vicenza.it - Fotogallery |access-date=2010-11-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106142229/http://www.ilgiornaledivicenza.it/galleries/Fotogallery/1472/1/ |archive-date=6 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On 10 January 2011 release dates were announced, with the album available worldwide by 5 April 2011; earlier for some areas.<ref name="BloodAllianceFullReleaseDates">{{cite web
 |url        = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=152193
 |title        = POWER QUEST: 'Blood Alliance' Release Dates Announced - Jan. 11, 2011
 |publisher        = Blabbermouth
 |access-date        = 15 January 2011
 |archive-url        = https://archive.today/20120914121448/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=152193
 |archive-date        = 14 September 2012
 |url-status        = dead
 }}</ref>

In October 2011, after 17 months and an album release (''[[Blood Alliance]]'') with Power Quest, vocalist Somapala left the band on amicable terms In November, the new vocalist was announced as Colin Callanan of Irish power metal band Karuna.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.power-quest.co.uk/news.html|title=New Power Quest Frontman Revealed!|date=14 November 2011|publisher=Power Quest|access-date=14 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030414115936/http://www.power-quest.co.uk/news.html|archive-date=14 April 2003|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Touring with the new front-man, Power Quest embarked on a European tour throughout March 2012 with original and founding member Scott on bass guitar filling in for Finnie's temporary absence. Power Quest joined German power metal band [[Freedom Call]] on stage in Switzerland and Germany, culminating in an appearance at Power Prog & Metal Fest 2012 in Belgium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ppmfest.com/bands_uk3.php|title=PPM Fest 2012: Bands|date=8 April 2012|publisher=PPM Fest Event|access-date=10 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131233021/http://www.ppmfest.com/bands_uk3.php|archive-date=31 January 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

On 10 January 2013, Williams announced the break-up of the band citing financial reasons and lack of record label support.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=184669|title=POWER QUEST Calling It Quits|date=10 January 2013|publisher=Blabbermouth|access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref> The band's last performances were at the [[Camden Underworld]] in London, UK on 31 May 2013,and [[Bloodstock Open Air]] Festival in [[Derby]], UK on 10 August 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodstock.uk.com/news/index.php?/archives/581-TEN-MORE-REASONS-TO-ROCK-OUT-AT-BLOODSTOCK-THIS-SUMMER.html|title=TEN MORE REASONS TO ROCK OUT AT BLOODSTOCK THIS SUMMER|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315203752/http://www.bloodstock.uk.com/news/index.php?/archives/581-TEN-MORE-REASONS-TO-ROCK-OUT-AT-BLOODSTOCK-THIS-SUMMER.html|access-date=14 October 2020|archive-date=15 March 2013}}</ref> Garavello and Bickers made special guest appearances at both dates.

===Second reunion, continued activities and disbandment===
After a three-year hiatus whilst working with Eden's Curse, Williams announced that Power Quest had reformed, and a new EP, ''Face the Raven'' was released on 10 September 2016,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bravewords.com/news/power-quest-reveal-new-ep-details-artist-studio-video-streaming|title=POWER QUEST Reveal New EP Details; Artist Studio Video Streaming|publisher=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|date=28 July 2016|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref> the same day as their performance at Camden Underworld.

On the day of the [[Hammerfest (festival)|Hammerfest]] warm-up gig in [[Portsmouth]], Williams announced the departure of guitarists Dan Owen and Gavin Owen from the band and the subsequent cancellation of the performance. For their Hammerfest appearance Andy Kopczyk of [[I Am I (band)|I AM I]] and Benjamin Ellis of [[Scar Symmetry]] stepped in as temporary replacements. Kopczyk was later confirmed as a permanent member of the band, along with Glyndwr Williams of Triaxis. On 2018, Kopczyk left Power Quest to focus on his other project, I Am I, as well as Finnie, the bassist. They were replaced by George "The Kid" Karofotis and Bradley Edison. On 29 June, a year before Finnie and Kopczyk's departure, the band announced a new album entitled ''The Sixth Dimension'' and would support DragonForce as special guests on the UK leg for the Reaching Into Infinity World Tour.{{cn|date=September 2023|reason='http://www.power-quest.co.uk/2016/index.php/404' isn't a reliable source}}

On 4 August 2019, former bassist Paul Finnie, who had left the band a year before, suffered a fatal heart attack after playing a show with [[Def Leppard]] tribute band Hysteria. He was 44 when he died. Power Quest performed a show in November dedicated to his memory, featuring past members and special guests.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moshville.co.uk/news/2019/08/rip-paul-finnie-power-quest/|title=RIP Paul Finnie (Power Quest) - The Moshville Times|website=The Moshville Times|date=7 August 2019|access-date=August 10, 2019}}</ref>

On 17 February 2023, Steve Williams announced the band would be splitting up, instead of doing a final tour in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://progpowerusa.com/power-quest-retires-early/|title=Power Quest Retires Early|website=ProgPower USA|date=17 February 2023|access-date=March 14, 2023}}</ref>

==Band members==
'''Final lineup'''
* [[Steve Williams (keyboardist)|Steve Williams]] – keyboards, backing vocals (2001–2013, 2016–2023), drum machine (as Scott Michaels) (2001–2003)
* Rich Smith – drums (2009–2013, 2016–2023)
* Ashley Edison – lead vocals (2016–2023)
* Glyn Williams – guitars (2017–2023)
* Bradley Edison – bass (2018–2023)
* George "The Kid" Karafotis – guitars (2018–2023)

'''Former members'''
* [[ZP Theart]] – lead vocals (2001–2002)
* Adam Bickers – guitars (2001–2003)
* [[Sam Totman]] – guitars (2001–2005)
* Steve Scott – bass (2001–2009, live 2012)
* Alessio Garavello – lead vocals (2002–2009), guitars (2005–2008)
* Andre Bargmann – drums (2003)
* Gavin Ward – drums (2003–2004)
* Andrea Martongelli – guitars, backing vocals (2003–2009)
* Francesco Tresca – drums (2004–2009)
* [[Bill Hudson (guitarist)|Bill Hudson]] – guitars (2008–2010)
* Oliver Holzwarth – bass (2009)
* Pete Morten – lead vocals (2009–2010)
* Ben Randall – guitars (2009–2010)
* Andy Midgley – guitars, backing vocals (2009–2013)
* Paul Finnie – bass (2009–2013, 2016–2018, died 2019)
* [[Chitral Somapala]] – lead vocals (2010–2011)
* Gavin Owen – guitars (2010–2013, 2016–2017)
* Colin Callanan – lead vocals (2011–2013)
* Dan Owen – guitars (2016–2017)
* Andy Kopczyk – guitars (2017–2018)

'''Timeline'''
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20
PlotArea = left:100 bottom:60 top:0 right:10
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat  = dd/mm/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/2001 till:12/02/2023
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom
ScaleMinor = increment:2 start:2002
ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:2001

Colors =
  id:Vocal    value:red     legend:Lead_vocals
  id:Guitar   value:green   legend:Guitars
  id:Bass     value:blue    legend:Bass
  id:Key      value:purple  legend:Keyboards,_backing_vocals
  id:Drums    value:orange  legend:Drums
  id:studio   value:black   legend:Studio_album

LineData =
 color:studio
 layer:back
  at:07/05/2002
  at:29/04/2003
  at:04/07/2005
  at:26/03/2008
  at:26/01/2011
  at:13/10/2017

BarData =

  bar:ZP        text:"ZP Theart"
  bar:Alessio   text:"Alessio Garavello"
  bar:Pete      text:"Pete Morten"
  bar:Chitral   text:"Chitral Somapala"
  bar:Colin     text:"Colin Callanan"
  bar:Ashley    text:"Ashley Edison"
  bar:Sam       text:"Sam Totman"
  bar:Adam      text:"Adam Bickers"
  bar:Andrea    text:"Andrea Martongelli"
  bar:Bill      text:"Bill Hudson"
  bar:Andy      text:"Andy Midgley"
  bar:Ben       text:"Ben Randall"
  bar:Gavin     text:"Gavin Owen"
  bar:Dan       text:"Dan Owen"
  bar:Glyndwr   text:"Glyn Williams"
  bar:Kopczyk   text:"Andy Kopczyk"
  bar:George    text:"George Karafotis"
  bar:Steve     text:"Steve Scott"
  bar:Oliver    text:"Oliver Holzwarth"
  bar:Paul      text:"Paul Finnie"
  bar:Bradley   text:"Bradley Edison"
  bar:Andre     text:"Andre Bargmann"
  bar:GavinW    text:"Gavin Ward"
  bar:Fran      text:"Francesco Tresca"
  bar:Rich      text:"Rich Smith"
  bar:SteveW    text:"Steve Williams"

PlotData=
  width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4)
  bar:ZP       from:01/01/2001    till:01/01/2002 color:Vocal
  bar:Alessio  from:01/01/2002    till:01/09/2009 color:Vocal
  bar:Pete     from:01/09/2009    till:01/05/2010 color:Vocal
  bar:Chitral  from:01/05/2010    till:01/10/2011 color:Vocal
  bar:Colin    from:01/11/2011    till:10/08/2013 color:Vocal
  bar:Ashley   from:01/04/2016    till:end        color:Vocal
  bar:Sam      from:01/01/2001    till:01/01/2005 color:Guitar
  bar:Adam     from:01/01/2001    till:01/01/2003 color:Guitar
  bar:Andrea   from:01/01/2003    till:01/09/2009 color:Guitar
  bar:Bill     from:01/01/2009    till:01/09/2009 color:Guitar
  bar:Andy     from:01/09/2009    till:10/08/2013 color:Guitar
  bar:Ben      from:01/09/2009    till:01/05/2010 color:Guitar
  bar:Gavin    from:01/05/2010    till:10/08/2013 color:Guitar
  bar:Gavin    from:01/04/2016    till:23/03/2017 color:Guitar
  bar:Dan      from:01/04/2016    till:23/03/2017 color:Guitar
  bar:Glyndwr  from:21/04/2017    till:end        color:Guitar
  bar:Kopczyk  from:21/04/2017    till:28/02/2018 color:Guitar
  bar:George   from:16/05/2018    till:end        color:Guitar
  bar:Steve    from:01/01/2001    till:01/01/2009 color:Bass
  bar:Oliver   from:01/01/2009    till:01/09/2009 color:Bass
  bar:Paul     from:01/09/2009    till:10/08/2013 color:Bass
  bar:Paul     from:01/04/2016    till:28/02/2018 color:Bass
  bar:Bradley  from:16/05/2018    till:end        color:Bass
  bar:Andre    from:01/01/2003    till:01/07/2003 color:Drums
  bar:GavinW   from:01/07/2003    till:01/01/2004 color:Drums
  bar:Fran     from:01/01/2004    till:01/09/2009 color:Drums
  bar:Rich     from:01/09/2009    till:10/08/2013 color:Drums
  bar:Rich     from:01/04/2016    till:end        color:Drums
  bar:SteveW   from:01/01/2001    till:10/08/2013 color:Key
  bar:SteveW   from:01/04/2016    till:end        color:Key
  width:3 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4)
  bar:Alessio from:01/01/2005 till:01/01/2009     color:Guitar
  bar:SteveW  from:01/01/2001 till:01/01/2003     color:Drums
}}

==Discography==
* ''Wings of Forever'' (2002)
* ''Neverworld'' (2003)
* ''Magic Never Dies'' (2005)
* ''[[Master of Illusion (album)|Master of Illusion]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Blood Alliance]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Sixth Dimension]]'' (2017)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.power-quest.co.uk}}


{{PowerQuest}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:British musical sextets]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2001]]
[[Category:2001 establishments in England]]
[[Category:English musical quintets]]
[[Category:English power metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2023]]
[[Category:2023 disestablishments in England]]