| Biography | Damian Wilson is an English musician, songwriter and vocalist that has appeared on over 70 separate album releases. Damian is mostly known in the progressive metal genre, as the lead singer of Threshold, Headspace and (formerly) Landmarq. He also sang and toured with bands and projects such as for Star One, Ayreon, Praying Mantis and with Rick Wakeman's English Rock Ensemble. As a solo artist he has released 4 solo albums, a DVD and a retrospective compilation album.
Damian began recording music in 1991 with the band Landmarq. He featured on their debut album, Solitary Witness which was released in 1992, followed by a second album, Infinity Parade (1993) and The Vision Pit (1995).
Damian sang on English prog metal band Thresholds debut album Wounded Land' (1993). In 1996, Damian would join up with Threshold again to record their third album Extinct Instinct'. Another successful European tour followed, after which Damian left the group. During that time Iron Maiden approached Damian to audition and considered him as a replacement for the departing Bruce Dickinson.
In 1997, Damians first solo album Cosmas was released. This album was a departure from the heavy/progressive rock sound that his fans had been used to.
In 1998 Damian was one of the lead vocalists on Arjen Lucassen's Ayreon album Into The Electric Castle.
From 1998 to 2000 he played the lead role of Jean Valjean in Cameron Mackintosh's touring production of Les Misérables. He was asked to audition for the role after he tripped over the dog owned by an actor who knew his work, while running along the Thames.
After the Les Miserables tour Damian sang on the next three Ayreon albums The Dream Sequencer, Flight of the Migrator and Ayreonauts Only. His collaboration with Arjen Lucassen would result in three more Star One albums; Space Metal (2002), Live on Earth (2003) and Victims of the Modern Age (2010). In 2000 and 2001, Damian toured Europe and South America with Rick Wakeman as part of the English Rock Ensemble. This resulted in a Live DVD and an album Out There.
After the tour with Rick Wakeman, Damian released his second solo album Disciple (2001) which was partially recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London. The recording session at Abbey Road was filmed and broadcast by the BBC.
Damian toured his solo material with a full band under the name Damian Wilson Band.[6] A second tour was planned, but Damian was hospitalized and the tour was cancelled. A studio session recording of the rehearsals for the tour was released on CD in 2002, Live in Rehearsal. In 2003 Damians third official album Lets Start A Commune was released.
Together with Adam Wakeman Damian formed the progressive rock band Headspace. Mainly to keep in contact with each other between their busy touring schedules. An EP I Am was released in 2007 and they supported Ozzy Osbourne on his Black Rain tour in 2007.
Just before the start of their Dead Reckoning tour, Threshold singer Andrew McDermott leaves the band. Having only a few days to learn the new Threshold material, Damian stepped in as lead vocalist for the tour.[8] Reinstated as lead vocalist, for the first time since 1997, Damian continued to tour with the band. In 2009 Damian tours Europe with his Damian Wilson Band. This time he performs songs from the bands and projects he has been involved in as well as solo material.[9] The tour is filmed and released in 2011 as 3DVD set including a live concert and tour documentary Cheers Lads; 20 Years Of Avoiding A Job. |