From the remains of the true metal project SEDUCTION, which was initiated by a management, a real band emerged in 2004: VIRON. In contrast to SEDUCTION, VIRON sounded more mature and down-to-earth. Influences from US metal and NWOBHM mixed with European metal, which was something special for a German group in 2004. Traditional heavy metal was slowly getting back on its feet after grunge, crossover and gothic, and VIRON were early on in this development. The first EP released by the band, which was already called NWOGHM (New Wave Of German Heavy Metal), was a huge hit in the underground and they played a few shows without a record deal, including at the Headbangers Open Air near Hamburg. This got the labels interested and in 2006 they decided on the Greek company Sonic Age (aka. Cult Metal Classics). The EP was expanded to include more songs recorded in the same studio (Kohlekeller Studio) and became an album. After consistently fantastic album reviews, they performed at the Sworbrothers Festival, United Metalheads and with bands like Sabaton, Custard and Solemnity. VIRON switched to Metal Heaven Records in 2007 and released the successful follow-up "Ferrum Gravis" in 2008. The slogan at the time, "Underground Metal for the masses," fits like a glove, because the powerful but naturally produced album bridges the gap between the underground scene and, let's call it "conventional heavy metal." Insiders might say "between Lauda-Königshofen and Wacken." This is also shown by the skillful cover version of the Manilla Road classic "Dreams Of Eschaton." Unfortunately, Viron disbanded a few months after the release of Ferrum Gravis, but the band became a springboard for three members of Viron who later appeared in Manilla Road, Trance, Savage Grace, Roxxcalibur, Bonfire and Jameson Raid, among others.
