In 2000 Century Media bought Onward's debut album "Evermoving" from Sentinel Steel and signed the band exclusively. I was awoken by the phone at around 3am one morning and a thick German accent on the other end "Is this Toby?? This album is a masterpiece!" were the first words spoken. Century Media also decided they were going to focus on the guitar playing when marketing the album.
Things progressed quickly for Onward. CM sent us into the studio to record two songs for two tribute albums. We recorded Uriah Heep's "Bird of Prey" and "Strange Wings" by Savatage. I wrote all the music for our second album "Reawaken" very quickly and Michael Grant followed suit preparing his lyrics and vocal melodies. Our first album wasn't even out yet and we were focused on the follow up.
Lizzy Borden's booking agency contacted me to see if Onward was interested in supporting Lizzy on a full U.S. tour. Of course, we loved that band. Simultaneously, Century were in touch with Yngwie Malmsteen's management as he needed a support band for his U.S. tour. Lizzy Borden had to cancel the tour plans because it was decided they weren't big enough to headline a tour as they had been out of the public eye for some time. Yngwie didn't want us. Lizzy Borden ended up being Yngwie's support act instead. From what I hear, it wasn't a good match. I love both artists so I have no further commentary.
Century Media started lining up work for us and booked us alongside Nevermore and Jag Panzer for the ‘November to Dismember’ Metal Fest in Los Angeles. Century Media had a barbecue and beer party in the backyard of the house they were operating out of. We drank beer and had a great time visiting with Nevermore, God Forbid and the staff of Century Media and Relapse Records that evening. Remember, we lived in the middle of nowhere so this kind of experience was surreal for us. The show went pretty well but Nevermore couldn't play because Billy Milano punched Warrel Dane (R.I.P.) and Warrel's injuries prevented him from singing.
Back in Montana, our album "Evermoving" was finally released and was already selling fast at the local Hastings store. We received a full page write up in Hit Parader Magazine and excellent reviews from Guitar World and Metal Maniacs. Montana/Wyoming didn't feel right for us anymore, we needed to get closer to the action. There were so many opportunities to play with classic bands in California. We were at a crossroads.
When I left Shrapnel Records some years earlier I always regretted not getting to meet label president, Mike Varney. One of my best friends and the band's manager, Dan Dombovy, was living in Las Vegas and called me freaking out one day; "Mike Varney's carpenter lives across the street from me and Varney is always over there! He wants to meet you!"
What are the odds? I took it as a sign and after we played the ProgPower Fest in Chicago (we had to get off the plane and hop right on stage) we packed up our gear and moved to Las Vegas. Things were getting interesting.
