User:Firstroundko108/sandbox

Vacant Throne is an American power metal band from Denver, Colorado. Since forming in 2010, the band has opened for Italian symphonic metal band Rhapsody of Fire and released its debut album "Fall of the Feathered King" in 2012. Vacant Throne is notable for its theatrical performances with stage props, full costume, stage make-up and story-telling between songs.

Formation
Guitarist Josh Mortensen formulated the idea for Vacant Throne while serving on a tour in Operation Iraqi Freedom with the U.S. Army infantry. After writing several songs in between patrols, he contacted his brother Jason Mortensen (vocals) and friends Ryan Burbank (guitar), John Deasy (drums), and Reginald Handy (bass) with the plan to start Vacant Throne upon the end of his service with the U.S. Army in 2010. The band began playing live in the Denver area in early 2011. The songs were based upon Arthurian Legend and Vacant Throne often used a "sword in the stone" stage prop and wore full costume reminiscent of the Dark Ages. After several shows decided to part ways with lead guitarist Ryan Burbank due to his conflicting commitments outside the band. Vacant Throne held several auditions and eventually selected guitarist Christian Mauro as a replacement. After the first show with Christian in November 2011, drummer John Deasy left the band because he no longer felt comfortable playing power metal. The band could not find a replacement in time for the recording of its debut album "Fall of the Feathered King" and used session member Nate Periat from Frost Thane on the album. One month into recording, Vacant Throne discovered a talented drummer named Frank Candelario and he quickly joined the band. The band's last line-up change to date was the addition of lead guitarist Chris Fernald, also from Frost Thane. This left Christian Mauro to fill a rhythm guitar/synth role that Josh Mortensen had orignially preferred for live performances.

Fall of the Feathered King
Although the band originally based its songs upon Arthurian legend, it was decided that the first album would be focused on the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs in the 16th Century. After Josh and Jason Mortensen finished writing the music, the band hired Infernal Sound to record and mix the album between December 2011 to May 2012.

Current Members

 * Jason Mortensen - Vocals (2010-present)
 * Josh Mortensen - Lead guitar (2010-present)
 * Reginald Handy - Bass (2010-present)
 * Christian Mauro - Guitar/synth (2011-present)
 * Frank Candelario - Drums (2012-present)
 * Chris Fernald - Lead guitar (2012-present)

Former Members

 * Ryan Burbank - Lead guitar (2010-2011)
 * John Deasy - Drums (2010-2011)

Session Members

 * Cullen Farrar - Lead guitar (2012)
 * Nate Periat - Drums (2012)
 * John Yelland - Vocals (2012)

Studio Albums

 * Fall of the Feathered King (2012)