Richard Henshall

Richard Henshall

Richard Henshall performing live with Haken at the 2011 Lorelei.
Background information
Also known as Hen
Born (1984-08-08) 8 August 1984[1]
Origin England
Genres Progressive metal, progressive rock, heavy metal
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Guitar, piano, keyboards, vocals, clarinet, drums, bass guitar, Composing
Years active 2004–present
Labels Candlelight Records, Sensory Records
Associated acts Haken, To-Mera
Website To-Mera Home, Haken home

Richard "Hen" Henshall is a British progressive metal multi-instrumentalist. He is best known for being the guitarist and keyboardist for the bands To-Mera, Haken and Opinaut. He has released one album, Earthbound, with To-Mera; five (Aquarius, Visions, The Mountain, Restoration and Affinity) with Haken and the EPs Oxygen (with Opinaut) and Restoration (with Haken). Henshall was classically trained on the piano from the age 7. By 11-12, he started playing the guitar on a self-taught basis. He also had drums and clarinet classes.[2]

Formation of To-Mera

Main article: To-Mera

To-Mera formed in 2005 between a few friends, Julie Kiss (vocals), Thomas MacLean (guitar), Lee Barrett (bass), Akos Pirisi (drums), Hugo Sheppard (keyboard).[3] They released a demo, which caught the attention of Candlelight Records. The band's musical style was drastically different from conventional Progressive metal; the band drew upon a plethora of influences such as Progressive rock, and others. In 2006, Candlelight released Transcendental. The radical new style opened up slots to open for groups such as Dream Theater, Fates Warning, and Emperor.[3] In 2008, To-Mera released their next album, Delusions, in 2008. In 2009, they parted with Candlelight. Hugo Sheppard left after this, and they recruited Henshall for the post. They then self released the Earthbound EP.

Formation of Haken

Henshall performing with Haken in 2015.
Main article: Haken (band)

Haken was formed by school friends Ross Jennings (vocals), Matthew Marshall (guitar), and Henshall at first in 2004. The members parted ways for a while to study at university, reuniting in 2007. The current members found Peter Jones on keyboards and Raymond Hearne on drums. Jones left soon after, and was replaced by Diego Tejieda. Charlie Griffiths was found on guitar, and Henshall brought in To-Mera bandmate Tom Maclean on bass. They released two demos in 2007 and 2008, which received excellent reviews. Their music caught the attention of Sensory Records, and the first album, Aquarius, was released in 2010.[4][5]

Formation of Opinaut

Opinaut formed in early 2011 around a group of four musicians working at the Sutton Music Centre. All four are talented multi-instrumentalists who work in music full time as session players and tutors. Jon Hart – Singer, John Vince – Drums, Richard Henshall – Guitar, Samuel Brooks – Bass. Opinaut are a merge of drum & bass rock with dreamy electro vibes and epic chord sequences. Their E.P 'Oxygen' was released in 2011 and is available online.

Influences

Henshall has named many influences, such as Jazz and conventional Progressive rock, as well as many notable acts, such as Dream Theater, Alan Holdsworth, Shawn Lane, John Petrucci, Wes Montgomery, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Yes, Pain of Salvation, Jethro Tull, Johan Sebastian Bach, Debussy, Rachmaninov, Chopin, Gomez, Muse, Pink Floyd, Mozart, Aphex Twin, Magnum, Earth Wind and Fire, Jordan Rudess, Prince, Michael Jackson, Queen, Beatles, Ocean Colour Scene, Al Di Meola, John Williams, Danny Elfman, Ray Charles, Pharcyde, De la Soul, Jeff Beck, Epmd, James Brown, Symphony X, Adagio, Devin Townsend, Knuckledust, Stampin, ELP, Björk, Sigur Ros, Bob Dylan, Opeth, Curtis Mayfield, RATM, Sikth, Hatebreed, and Mike Oldfield, among others.[6]

Discography

Henshall in 2012.

With To-Mera

With Haken

With Opinaut

References

  1. ↑ "Another birthday?". Facebook. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  2. ↑ Serafine, Frank (September 23, 2011). "Haken Explains Story Behind "Visions," Favorite Bands, And Musical Training". metalunderground.com. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 To-Mera biography
  4. ↑ Haken homepage biography
  5. ↑ Interview with Richard Henshall
  6. ↑ To-Mera band members bio, with influences
  7. ↑ Haken homepage, with discography
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