In 2000 Ivo Ricci, drummer and songwriter of the band Black Dama (Butterfly, 1997) decided to create a new band: The BETOKEN.Ad a year after the birth of the group sees the light of the band’s first album titled CHRYSALIS (self-and not distributed on the market) .This first album is characterized by the participation of musicians from the background different from that which is the musical style of prog-power Ricci.particolare then is the presence of three singers, Marco Sivo (Time Machine, Flaas, Planethard ) Alessandro Toulon (x-Toy) and Bianca Iannuzzi.
[spoiler]After the release of CHRYSALIS Ricci began to prepare the material for the new album with a sound geared more towards a power metal mixed with the classic metal of the old school. Michele De Ponti (Black Dhama) and Eva Rondinelli (Dakrua) become part of the band.mentre instead Alessandro Toulon will only participate in the drafting of the lyrics without participating in the recordings of the new album.L’arrivo coincides with the new members’ interest from the label Adrenaline / Steelheart Records and right under the aegis of this label, in December 2004, the new album titled “THE GATE oF NOTHING” is released on the market, this new work the band has indicate the presence of PRAISE tHE LORD cHOIR that records all the choral parts of the album. THE GATE OF NOTHING receiving good responses from the trade press and a decent response from the sales, but due to the abandonment of the drummer Daniele Giusti (Morgana project), which took place a few weeks after the relase of the album, the promotion being live show suffers the consequences, and is therefore non-existent. Then also the lead singer Marco Sivo behind the microphone is replaced by Francesco Ferreri (former guitarist of valas) in his first experience as a lead singer in a band. In October 2005, takes yet another change in the line-up, bassist Luca Bonomelli decided to leave the band and his place is taken by Alex Raven (ex Derdian, ex Beholder). In January 2006, the betoken are contacted by the Italian federation of Wrestling (ICW) to collaborate and write a song that will accompany the show wrestlers of federazione.Nel February 2006, the group went c / o the OLD ONES STUDIOS Arona to record the single for the Federation of Wrestling. The title of the single is I Can Win and recordings will also take part Giulio Capone (Bejelit, DRAKKAR), which, besides being the producer, will handle the drums as also the drummer Giacomo Leone will leave the band for personal reasons just a little before the registration of the individual. From that moment on Julius will join the band on a permanent basis as a drummer. Between July and October of 2006, c / o the OLD ONES STUDIOS Arona (NO) are held recording the new album betoken entitled “DEAD SOUL INSOMNIA” album that marks once again a step forward in the evolution of the band’s sound , where the old influences are developed with atmospheres prog / gothic / horror making it even more personal to the proposal of the band. DEAD SOUL INSOMNIA out on the market November 22, 2006 and quickly receives a substantial consensus by experts with great reviews. Since March 2007, the band began promoting live album.
In 2008, the singer Antonio Pecere (Rapid Fire, ex Sigma, ex Komaday) in lieu of Francesco Ferreri
With this line betoken record the 4th album “VENOM EMPIRE” always c / o the OLD ONES studios of Arona (NO).
The album comes out at the end of January 2009 under the record label Heart Of Steel Records.
In 2010 the band recorded the successor of Venom Empire once again c / o the OLD ONES studios of Arona (NO).
The release of the new album is scheduled for the spring / summer of 2011[/spoiler]
01. A Thirst for Knowledge
02. Renounce
03. Quid Tu Moraris?
04. The Man Who Would Be the Devil
05. Left Hand Choice
06. Sparks of Grace Betrayed
07. Hellward
08. Seven Deadly Sins
09. Ab Urbe Corrupta
10. Lucifer’s Bless
11. Point of No Return
12. Helen of Troy
13. Damned Soul Insomnia
14. Beyond Redemption