Mystic Force were a progressive power metal band from Baltimore in Maryland. After recording a few demo tapes they went on to sign with German label Rising Sun Productions releasing two full-length albums: »The Eternal Quest« (1993) and »A Step Beyond« (1995). This was followed by »Man Vs. Machine« on the band’s own Siegen Records in 2001. After the demise of Mystic Force, drummer Chris Lembach and guitarist Rich Davis formed the band Shift and recorded two albums with them. After that Rich started his own solo project (playing all the instruments himself and even singing), before he once again got a band together and released the »Inside The Upside Down« CD (2024).
Mystic Force were originally formed in 1984 by guitarists Rich Davis and Marc Rouchard together with bass player Keith Menser. The band went through several line-up changes early on before finding Chris Lembach (drums) and Bobby Hicks (vocals).
In 1987, the band issued their first (self-titled) demo tape, which was followed by another tape release, »Blind Vision«, a year later. Next were two vinyl releases (both in 1990), the first, »Take Command«, realized by C.M.F.T. Records in England, and the second, the “Shipwrecked With The Wicked”/”Eternal Quest” 12” single, issued on the band’s own Pro-duction label.
With the help of C.M.F.T. Records over in the UK and Oliver Jung’s “Demolition” distribution network here in Germany, Mystic Force had been getting more and more popular in European underground metal circles, and it was just a question of time for label offers to start coming in. In the end a deal with German label Rising Sun Records was struck and the band’s full-length debut album »The Eternal Quest« appeared in the shops in 1993.
Two years later, in 1995, the follow-up »A Step Beyond« hit the market. “It was hands down my personal favorite recording experience,” says Rich Davis about the album. “We were put into Kajem Recording studio. »Operation Mindcrime« and I think Crimson Glory’s »Transcendence« as well as some Metal Church albums (can’t remember which) were done there. So much history. ”
“I would say »The Eternal Quest« had more fire and tempo and drive to it,” compares Rich the first and the second Mystic Force albums, “»A Step Beyond« was or ended up being very dark and mid-paced. Our songwriting was always changing and growing for sure. As for us getting more progressive on »A Step Beyond«, I guess that could be true. Not by intention though, just the natural growth of the band.”
MATTHIAS MADER
--
MYSTIC-FORCE: Artist Overview
MYSTIC-FORCE was a prominent fixture in the American progressive power metal and thrash metal scene, originating in Baltimore, Maryland, USA in 1983. Initially, the band began as a cover band playing material from the heaviest acts of the day before transitioning to original material to distinguish themselves in the bustling local club scene. Key early figures included bassist and keyboardist Keith Menser (who later had a brief stint with Iced Earth and ran Siegen Records) and guitarist Rich Davis. The band quickly developed a sound that melded the melody and epic scope of US power metal with the intensity and aggression of thrash, carving out a niche alongside contemporaries of the late 80s and early 90s.
The band built momentum through several demos and the 1989 EP Take Command before releasing their official debut album, Shipwrecked with the Wicked, in 1990. This era saw a relatively constant line-up featuring Menser, Davis, vocalist Bobby Hicks, and drummer Chris Lembach. Subsequent albums, Eternal Quest (1993) and A Step Beyond (1995), released through the German label Rising Sun Records, further solidified their reputation in the international metal underground. Their style drew favorable comparisons to progressive metal pioneers like Queensr che, Fates Warning, and Heir Apparent, as well as the epic heavy metal of early Iron Maiden.
Despite line-up shifts, including the replacement of Hicks by William Wren after A Step Beyond, the band continued to pursue their brand of technical and thematic metal. Their lyrical concepts often explored themes of technology, science fiction, and fantasy, notably on the 2001 album Man vs. Machine. The band gained considerable experience touring and sharing the stage with major acts like Pantera, Savatage, Crimson Glory, and Fates Warning, showcasing their dynamic live show which, in their early days, featured elaborate stage props and effects.
MYSTIC-FORCE went on hiatus before reuniting in the 2010s, with a later iteration featuring notable veterans like former Agent Steel vocalist Rick Mythiasin. The band's legacy is rooted in the classic US power metal sound, defined by complex arrangements, soaring vocals, shredding guitar work, and high-quality musicianship. Although often overlooked in mainstream metal history, MYSTIC-FORCE remains an important, respected act within the power/progressive metal and power/thrash subgenres, particularly for fans of the cult USPM scene. The band officially concluded operations with the passing of founding member Keith Menser in 2022.
50 Similar Artists
Queensr che
Fates Warning
Heir Apparent
Savatage
Iced Earth
Crimson Glory
Metal Church
Vicious Rumors
Helstar
Steel Prophet
Liege Lord
Jag Panzer
Omen
Agent Steel
Attacker
Titan Force
Slammer
Lethal
Laaz Rockit
Realm
Toxik
Artillery (later albums)
Angel Dust (post-reunion)
Blind Guardian (early albums)
Helloween (on Walls of Jericho)
Gamma Ray (early albums)
Rage
Annihilator (early technical thrash)
Heathen
Nevermore
Sanctuary
Testament (on The Gathering)
Control Denied
Death (later progressive era)
Slauter Xstroyes
Cauldron Born
Ion Vein
Synaptik
Twilight Kingdom
Images of Eden
Zions Abyss
Nasty Savage
Griffin
Warlord
Flotsam and Jetsam
Manticora
Symphorce
Kamelot (early albums)
Gothic Knights
New Eden