Band Line Up 2015

With two outstanding albums, more than hundred successful concerts in whole Europe and a burning passion for heavy metal, Battalion are among the hottest bands in Europe and indispensable in the local scene. The yearly survey of Switzerland’s most important webzine “Metal Factory” confirms this. In the categories “best Swiss band” and “best show in Switzerland”, Battalion are on top spots for a couple of years. Reason enough to check them out, and you’ll be the next to get infected!

But let’s start at the beginning… The roots of this band you’ll find back in 2006, when Silvan Etzensperger (vocals, guitar), Cyril Etzensperger (guitar) and Samy Riedener (drums) started jamming. In the same year they released a demo called „The Fight For Metal“ (out of print), which received a positive feedback and brought in scads of gigs. Their lineup got finally completed when they met up with Lukas Marti (Bass) in 2009. Only one year later, in February 2010, Battalion released their first album „Underdogs“. With their first longplayer, Battalion played shows domestic and abroad and thrilled the audience with their energetic performance and their passion for heavy metal. Regretfully only six months after releasing „Underdogs“, their guitar player and founding member Cyril Etzensperger (†12.08.2010) passed away by suicide. But instead of burying their heads in the sand, Battalion decided that the only right thing to do is keep going. They quickly met up with a live-guitarist, Leandro Pacheco, and stood back on stage only two months after Cyril’s death. In June 2011 Clode Hürlimann (guitar) joined the band and the line-up was completed again.

Within the “Underdogs Over Europe Tour”, Battalion were performing shows in whole Europe for the first time. In eighteen days, fourteen successful shows in not less than nine countries were played. Beginning 2012 Lukas Marti left the band due personal reasons. His replacement: Alexander Gubler. Followed by appearances at summer festivals, among others at Bloodstock open air in England, the second album “Set The Phantom Afire” was released in September. With several club shows and festivals in Switzerland and abroad, this was successfully promoted. Highlights are sold out support shows for Slayer and Machine Head in their hometown Zurich and their performance at world’s largest metal happening Wacken Open Air. After the recording of their third studio album “Generation Movement” in September 2014, Battalion’s looking forward to its release in April and their second performance in the United Kingdom this summer at Bloodstock Open Air!

“What great news for us to return! In 2012 we played our first show on English ground! It was at Bloodstock, and it was fuckin' insane! This year, we'll be comin' up with a new album and with all guns blazin'! So be prepared for some Thrash Metal at its best! See you in August! Cheers from Switzerland!”