Swiss hard rock and blues-rock outfit Toad leaped onto their country's charts with their debut single, "Stay," in 1972 -- paving the way for the massive Swiss metal movement of the early '80s and such notable bands as Krokus and Celtic Frost. Mainly a three-piece, consisting of Vittorio "Vic" Vergeat (guitar/vocals), Werner Frohlich (bass), and Cosimo Lampis (drums), Toad often enlisted the help of an additional lead vocalist in much of their studio work (Bens Jaeger sang lead on their debut, but departed the group as soon as recording was completed). That same year, the live album Open Fire: Live in Basel 1972 hit stores, taking advantage of the band's constant and successful touring. Tomorrow Blue followed shortly after, appearing in 1973, and the band released Dreams early in 1974. A few live albums, compilations, and studio works continued to trickle out during the rest of the '70s and early '80s, with the core Toad lineup still firmly in place. By the early 2000s, interest in the early European hard rock scene in general (and Toad in particular) led to a slew of deluxe CD reissues and collections -- the best of which were to be found on the Italian imprint Akarma. ~ J. Scott McClintock
The Netherlands-based DubVision are an in-demand electronic production duo who make high-energy, dance-oriented progressive house music. Formed in 2005, DubVision feature the talents of Stephan Leicher (born in 1981) and his younger brother Victor Leicher (born in 1989). Interested in music from a young age, both brothers were encouraged to study piano beginning around age seven. By his teens, Victor began experimenting with electronic production, followed soon after by Stephan. Drawing inspiration from electronic acts like Tiësto, Axwell, and Swedish House Mafia, the brothers formed DubVision and issued the EP Into White in 2011. Subsequently, they signed to Spinnin' Records and found success with a string of singles, including 2012's "You & I" with Project 46 and Donna Lewis; 2013's "Into the Light" with Sander van Doorn, Mako, and Mariana Bell; 2014's "Rockin" featuring Firebeatz; and others. During this period, they made numerous high-profile festival appearances, were regularly listed in the Beatport Top Ten, and even scored an overall Beatport number one with 2014's "Backlash." Hoping to take more control of their career, they parted ways with Spinnin' in 2015. The following year they announced their return with the singles "Million Miles" featuring Denny White and "Rise." They stayed active in 2017, delivering the singles "Geht's Nacht," "Under the Stars," and "Yesterday Is Gone" featuring Jonny Rose. Another string of high-profile singles arrived in 2018, with highlights arriving via "Steal the Moon" and "Yesterday," the latter of which featured Raiden. ~ Matt Collar
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