They have released five albums to date while touring incessantly in support of these recording and have built a loyal following across the United States and Canada. The band's headline performance at the 1995 Philadelphia Folk Festival was the stuff from which legands are made. Founding member Lief Sorbye was born and raised in Oslo and founded Tempest after spending eight years touring and recording with the accoustic band Golden Bough. Guitarist Rob Wullenjohn is from San Fransisco, drummer Adolfo Lazo hails from New York, and violinist Michael Mullen is from Fresco, California. All have varied musical backgrounds ranging from psychedelic rock through Alice Cooper to traditional fiddle.
Songs based on legends and folk tales make up much of the band's repertoire.
Their latest album Turn of the Wheel was produced by Robert Berry who was able to define the band's live sound and translate it in a studio situation without losing any of the warmth and energy of Tempest live. ELP's Keith Emerson also added his atmospheric keyboards to the recording. Voiceprint Mail Order is part of the Voiceprint group of companies.