Groomed for success by the ACCEPT management stable, following valuable German supports to SAXON and DEEP PURPLE, Hannover's ROUGH SILK not too surprisingly had their debut album produced by ACCEPT drummer Stefan Kaufmann. The band supported HELLOWEEN on their 1994 British tour promoting the 1994 'Walls Of Never' album. Switching to Massacre Records ROUGH SILK once more proved their hunger for the road by jumping on tours by DIO, MANOWAR and AXXIS. Meantime, keyboard player FERDY DOERNBERG issued his first solo album. The keyboard maestro also is an active member of AXEL RUDI PELL's band appearing on many albums by the guitar wizard.

Original guitarist Hilmer Staacke lost his position prior to recording the 1996 album 'Circle Of Pain'. His position was filled by Andreas Laszewski. The 'Mephisto' album saw the band pulling in new recruits guitarist Nils Wunderlich and drummer Curt Doernberg. The 1999 compilation album 'Wheels Of Time' includes numerous remixs of tracks plus four brand new songs.

Ferdy Doernberg issued a further solo album in 2000 although this time the project went under the STORYTELLER'S RAIN handle. Drummer Herbert Hartmann returned to the fold for recording of 'Symphony Of Life' issued on U.D.O. vocalist Udo Dirkschneider's Breaker label. The album was co-produced by the esteemed figure of Jon Oliva of SAVATAGE, the man himself donating session vocals too.

In 2001 Doernberg would guest on the ambitious TARAXACUM project album 'Spirit Of Freedom' conceived by EDGUY man Tobias Exxel. Prior to recording of a new album 'End Of Infinity' for Breaker Records in 2002 singer Thomas Ludolphy parted company with the band. No moves were made to fill the vacancy, the remaining members opting to share lead vocal responsibilities.

ROUGH SILK suffered a major upheaval in December of 2004 when guitarist Nils Wunderlich, bassist Ralf Schwertner and drummer Herbert Hartmann all defected. The only surviving member, Ferdy Doernberg, rapidly assembled an all new look band by drawing in brother Curt on drums and the A.O.D. pairing of guitarist Mike Mandel and bass player André Hort. Before long Thomas Becker had taken over on drums. Doernberg also made time to act as producer for RAGE drummer MIKE TERRANA's solo album 'Man Of The World' and sessioned in the studio for BRAINSTORM and TREIBHAUS.

Thomas Becker opted out in March of 2005, being replaced by Detlef Kroll from TRIBE 13. Doernberg joined the live band of fabled ex-SCORPIONS guitarist ULI JON ROTH for live work later that year and also sessioned on German Heavy Metal band CODE OF PERFECTION's debut album 'Last Exit For The Lost'.

May 2006 found Doernberg playing shows in the USA in guitarist WARREN DI MARTINI's band. Sadly that same month it was announced that original ROUGH SILK guitarist Hilmer Staacke had died of an asthma attack. Drummer Detlof Kroll exited in October, relocating to Norway. Alex Wenn of NOCARESS immediately filled the position. This new look version of the band debuted on December 30th at the 'Metal Forever' festival in Böblingen, Southern Germany.

ROUGH SILK released the album 'A New Beginning' on 20th March 2009 via Dockyard 1 Records. The sessions were produced by Ferdy Doernberg at the Droehnwerk Studios in Bad Nenndorf, Germany, with the exception of the track 'A Song For Hilmer', which was written and recorded on 26th May 2006 in the dressing room of Ralph Freud's Theatre in Los Angeles, California, one day after Doernberg received news that original ROUGH SILK guitarist, Hilmer Staacke, had passed away. The recording was so impromptu that background noise included an ULI JON ROTH soundcheck at the venue.