Bietigheim, Baden-Württemberg based Progressive Metal act IVANHOE formed in 1986 by guitarist Achim Welsch, bassist Giovanni Soulas, keyboards Markus Britsch and drummer Lars Hörnig. The band first came to prominence with their 1989 demo 'Written In Stone', although they had debuted with the earlier tape 'Behind The Walls', with guitarist Achim Welsch augmented later by Thomas Kovac.

For a short period of time the female vocalist Conny Ernst, ex-BATTLEFIELD, fronted the band, but 'Written In Stone' debuted American vocalist Scott Anderson. However, the frontman opted to return to America, despite the good reviews the demo elicted from the Metal press, so Ralf Küchle was recruited during 1992 to record a CD single entitled 'Play Express'. Almost comically, Küchle was also to defect to America, forming MATRIX in Los Angeles, thus ex-WHISPER singer Andy B. Franck was enlisted.

Further line-up changes occurred when, in 1993, Kovac departed and in came Chuck Schuler. The band promptly recorded 'Rebellion And Indecision' for the 'Peace Eater' compilation and, in 1994, finally cut their debut album on WMMS. IVANHOE would tour throughout Europe opening for ENCHANT and JADIS before recording the second album and touring with VANDEN PLAS.

In December 1995 Schuler quit and the following March Achim Welsch was welcomed back into the ranks to tour with NEVERMORE and ICED EARTH. In this formation IVANHOE went on to record a third album, 'Polarized', and toured with SKYCLAD and VANDEN PLAS. However, by the late 90's disputes arose as to the ownership of the band name and Franck struck out on his own to issue the SYMPHORCE album 'Truth To Promises' in 1999. Continuing this association Franck would also enrol as frontman for noted Metal act BRAINSTORM, at first managing to conduct both acts in parallel until his departure to prioritise BRAINSTORM.

This move placed IVANHOE into a period of stasis, during which Soulas and Welsch created CHARISMA to issue the 1999 album 'Karma'. Meantime, drummer Lars Hörnig pursued a side venture entitled VAGRAND in union with former FROM THY ASHES bassist Philipp Schlottmann.

During 2001 IVANHOE regrouped by drafting singer Mischa Mang, found whilst performing the role of Judas in 'Jesus Christ Superstar'. Also inducted would be new keyboard player Richard Seibel and drummer Sebastian Brauchle. Three years later the band returned with the 'Walk In Mindfields' album.