IVANHOE was founded in 1986 by Giovanni Soulas (bass), Markus Britsch (keyboards) and drummer Lars Hörnig. The demos "Behind The Wall" (1988) and "Written In Stone" (1989) were recorded with a varying line-up. The debut album "Visions And Reality" was recorded and released in 1993 with the line-up consisting of Andy B. Franck (vocals), Chuck Schuler (guitar), Giovanni Soulas (bass), Lars Hörnig (drums) and Markus Britsch (keyboard). The album "Symbols Of Time" followed in 1994.
1996 saw the release of "Polarized". The band’s third album turned out to be crucial for the band, since vocalist Andy B. Franck and drummer Lars Hörnig left the band to refocus themselves musically.
In 2001 Giovanni Soulas reanimated IVANHOE. They tapped the famous musical singer Mischa Mang (Jesus Christ Superstar, We Will Rock You, etc.) as new vocalist and started working on the fourth album "Walk In Mindfields", that was released via Massacre Records in 2005. The line-up - consisting of Mang, Soulas and Welsch - was completed by keyboardist Richard Seibel (Lanfear) und drummer Sebastian Brauchle. They also recorded and released the follow-up "Lifeline" (2008) with this line-up.
In late 2010, the band parted ways with Sebastian Brauchle and Matthias Biehl joined IVANHOE as new drummer. They played several successful club and festival shows (Queensrÿche, Scorpions, Building A Force Festival, Bang Your Head!!! Festival), but parted ways with guitarist Achim Welsch in mid-2011 all of a sudden.
IVANHOE released its sixth studio album "Systematrix" in May 2013. Vocalist Mischa Mang and drummer Matthias Biel left the band with the album’s release. Vocalist Alexander Koch (Spiral Tower, Powergod, Winters Bane, Scenes) and drummer Rob Kudlek then joined the band for the then upcoming shows with Queensrÿche, among others, and remained permanent band members.
"7 Days" was released in 2015 and "Blood And Gold" in 2020, both via Massacre Records.