The Story so Far

The Rise and Fall of the Kingdom of Ulysses
Imagine this: you’re in a teenage band from the countryside, with only one proper gig behind you, when your singer casually announces he’ll be heading back to Australia next year. What would you do? Most people might give up. Ulysses, instead, booked a studio with a hotshot young producer duo in England and recorded an album. That decision changed everything - not just their lives, but also the lives of those who would come to hear their music.

Yes, Ulysses started out as a teenage band. But don’t be fooled: they were bursting with ambition, with five composers full of ideas, strong egos, and a shared passion for the grand tradition of British progressive rock.

The story began in 1987, when Ender and Mirko, two school friends from the southern suburbs of Frankfurt, decided they wanted to write songs like their prog idols of the ’70s and ’80s. By 1990, they had found kindred spirits: film student and keyboardist Thomas Diehl (a prog devotee from Gentle Giant to Marillion), a drummer, and - most importantly - the name: Ulysses.

The lineup solidified in 1991 with Danish drummer Jesper Stannow and Australian singer Gerard Hynes, whose arrival gave the band its true voice. Their first recordings soon followed, first in rehearsal rooms, then in professional studios.

Gerard’s Story
Gerard grew up on Sydney’s northern beaches, playing in garage bands and catching local legends like INXS and Midnight Oil at the pub. A surfer, rugby player, and part-time busker, he met his future German wife at a beach party and moved to Frankfurt.

He became a lifeguard by day and a street musician by night, even winning a karaoke contest with a wild take on Elvis’ Heartbreak Hotel. The prize: a brand-new CD player - which he woke up hugging the next morning.

Soon after, he answered an ad for a band seeking a singer. At the audition, the band played him a 12-minute instrumental and asked him to improvise. Gerard refused, took a tape home, and returned a week later with lyrics and a melody. That song became "Soul Creation", and Gerard became Ulysses’ frontman.

Within weeks, the band was writing many songs and the epic "Freedom Will Be Mine". These were no pub rock tunes - this was something bigger, something alive.

Robert Joins
In 1992, Jesper left Frankfurt and the search for a new drummer began. After auditioning a dozen hopefuls, the band found their match in Robert, whose musical upbringing ranged from baroque to big band to punk rock. Despite a shaky first audition (his outdated kit and blunt opinions nearly cost him the spot), Robert impressed them with his sharp instincts and expressive playing.

When he heard the demo of "The Sunday Rising", he knew immediately he’d found a musical home.

London Calling
By early 1993, Ulysses were ready for their big leap. They flew to London to record at Thin Ice Studios with Clive Nolan and Karl Groom - names already buzzing in the prog world.

Originally, they even approached Tori Amos for guest vocals, but as she was launching her own career, the band instead secured the incomparable Tracy Hitchings (Quasar, Landmarq). Together, they crafted what would become their debut album: "Neronia".

Songs like "Mistinguett", "Days Gone By", and "Where the River Runs" (with lyrics Gerard finished mid-flight) joined earlier live favorites. The decision to include "Teenage Sweethearts", originally written for a benefit album, sealed the album’s identity and gave it its name.

Life at Thin Ice was a crash course in the British prog scene. Between sessions, the Germans mingled with members of Threshold, Pendragon, Quasar, and more. Days were spent recording, nights in pubs or watching Blackadder and Fawlty Towers.

On October 13, 1993, Neronia premiered at Prog-Komm in Neuss, Germany. To the band’s astonishment, fans clamored for copies, eager for autographs. For the first time, Ulysses felt they had truly achieved something special.

Dreams, Demos, and a Pyramid Package
Young and naive, Ulysses dreamed of a big-label deal. To catch the A&R’s attention, they sent their demo in a pyramid-shaped package - believing no executive could ignore it. What happened to it remains a mystery: lost, discarded, or perhaps fed to a dog.

Fortunately, word of mouth did the job. After the first pressing sold out quickly, a second edition was released on a then-new label, Inside Out Music, run by Thomas Waber.

On the Road with Pendragon
In 1994, Ulysses were invited to support Pendragon on their Windows of Life tour. But by then, Gerard had returned to Australia. Once again, the question arose: What would you do?

They pressed on. After auditions, Marc was chosen as the new live singer. With him, Ulysses embarked on a chaotic but unforgettable tour. Vans broke down, gigs were cancelled or moved to tiny pubs, and equipment barely fit on stage. Yet, the band played with heart every night.

In Poland, the tide turned: Ulysses were suddenly treated as co-headliners. Fans chanted their name, demanded encores, and sang along to Freedom Will Be Mine.

Back in Germany, a breakthrough came at a prog festival in Stuttgart. Unknown to most of the audience, Ulysses won over the crowd with a blistering set. Songs like "Vagabond Child" and "Teenage Sweethearts" left fans stunned - many discovering the band for the very first time.

The year closed with appearances at the Aurora Borealis Festival in Tilburg (sharing the bill with Shadowland and Collage) and a triumphant return to German stages. In Tilburg, fans even sang entire verses back to the band - proof that Ulysses had struck a chord.

Epilogue
By the mid-90s, Ulysses had lived a story full of unlikely twists: teenage beginnings, international recording sessions, lineup changes, and unforgettable tours. Though their kingdom rose and fell quickly, they left behind a legacy of music that continues to resonate with those who were there - and with new listeners still discovering Neronia today.

Chapter II: From Ulysses to Neronia — A New Era Begins
When a legal storm brooded over their name, the core members of Ulysses - Mirko Rudnik, Ender Kilic, and Robert Zoom - faced an unexpected crossroads. In 1995, citing a looming naming-rights dispute, they opted to embrace a bold new identity: Neronia.

Though they had delivered their debut album Neronia as Ulysses in 1993, the name change marked a fresh chapter. The legal requirement to abandon “Ulysses” meant that it would take almost a decade before they released new music under their new moniker.

Nerotica — The Rebirth
After numerous lineup shifts, the band, now officially Neronia, returned in 2004 with their long-awaited second album, Nerotica. Anchored by Mirko Rudnik, Robert Zoom, and vocalist/keyboardist Falk Ullmann, this release showcased a stylistic evolution—merging neo‑prog intensity with elements of metal, embracing both drama and melodic flair.

Legacy and Continuity
Despite the name change, Ulysses’ legacy - especially the debut album Neronia - lived on. It enjoyed enough enduring popularity that, in 2011, Neronia was voted into Germany’s Prog Top 40 by Eclipsed magazine. And in 2023, a remastered 2CD edition of the debut was released - celebrating the album’s 30th anniversary and reaffirming its importance in the prog rock pantheon.

The Story Continues
From the youthful ambition of Ulysses to the seasoned creativity of Neronia, the journey of Mirko, Ender, and Robert spans decades and identities - driven by resilience, reinvention, and a shared passion for progressive music.

Ulysses Resurrection – A New Dawn
The story of Ulysses was never truly finished. A few years ago, three of the original driving forces - Robert, Gerard, and Mirko -decided to reunite under the banner of Ulysses Resurrection.

What began as a handful of conversations quickly turned into a creative spark. Old friendships rekindled, new ideas flowed, and once again the spirit of Ulysses was alive. The trio have since been writing together, drawing on their shared history while exploring fresh directions in sound and storytelling.

There is no release date yet, but the promise is clear: new music is on the horizon. The kingdom of Ulysses is rising once more…