Midnattsol
Encyclopedia
Midnattsol is a Symphonic metal
band from Germany
and Norway
, The band was formed in 2002 by singer Carmen Elise Espenæs
and guitarist Christian Hector.
band Midnattsol; their intention was to start working on this project once they found like-minded persons to join their band.
The new members were then identified in Chris Murzinsky (former drummer for Penetralia), Daniel Fischer (keyboard player), and later on Daniel Droste
(guitarist) and Birgit Öllbrunner (bassist).
Their sound is essentially Symphonic metal
, with some folk influences in the melodies. Although their sound can be classified as symphonic metal, the band prefers to call their style 'Nordic folk metal' because of the folk elements in their music and occasional Norwegian lyrics. Their lyrics
are largely based on Norwegian folk tales. Their first full-length album, Where Twilight Dwells, was released in 2005; their new album, Nordlys, was released on March 28, 2008.
Midnattsol means "midnight sun
" in Norwegian
.
Guitarists Daniel Droste and Christian Hector recently joined forces with Stephan Adolph to form Ahab
, a German funeral doom
band.
Chris Merzinsky and Birgit Öllbrunner are also playing in the band R:I:P.
Carmen Elise Espenæs is the younger sister of Liv Kristine Espenæs Krull
, former vocalist of Theatre of Tragedy
and current vocalist for Leaves' Eyes
.
On July 10, 2009, Midnattsol announced guitarist Fabian Pospiech had left the band to concentrate on his family.
The band won the 'Best Hope' Award at the Metal Female Voices Fest
2009 due to the majority of votes by the fans.
In spring 2010 they announced their return to the studio to record Midnattsol's third album from May to about July 2010. They've been keeping their fans up to date via studio reports on YouTube posted on their official Twitter
In November 2010, they announced the title of the new album, "The Metamorphosis Melody". In December 2010 they announced that "The Metamorphosis Melody" would be released on the 22nd of April 2011. They also announced the departure of guitarist Daniel Droste.
Symphonic metal
Symphonic metal is a term used to describe heavy metal music that has symphonic elements; that is, elements that are either borrowed from classical music or, as with progressive rock music, create a style reminiscent of it, e.g...
band from Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, The band was formed in 2002 by singer Carmen Elise Espenæs
Carmen Elise Espenæs
Carmen Elise Espenæs is the vocalist and the co-founder of the gothic/folk metal band Midnattsol.- Career :...
and guitarist Christian Hector.
History
In 2002, singer Carmen Elise Espenæs and guitarist Christian Hector founded the German-Norwegian Symphonic metalSymphonic metal
Symphonic metal is a term used to describe heavy metal music that has symphonic elements; that is, elements that are either borrowed from classical music or, as with progressive rock music, create a style reminiscent of it, e.g...
band Midnattsol; their intention was to start working on this project once they found like-minded persons to join their band.
The new members were then identified in Chris Murzinsky (former drummer for Penetralia), Daniel Fischer (keyboard player), and later on Daniel Droste
Daniel Droste
- Career :He is known for being the guitarist of the gothic/folk metal band Midnattsol and the vocalist, guitarist, and keyboardist of the funeral doom band Ahab.-With Penetralia:*Schwarz *Tribute to the Moon...
(guitarist) and Birgit Öllbrunner (bassist).
Their sound is essentially Symphonic metal
Symphonic metal
Symphonic metal is a term used to describe heavy metal music that has symphonic elements; that is, elements that are either borrowed from classical music or, as with progressive rock music, create a style reminiscent of it, e.g...
, with some folk influences in the melodies. Although their sound can be classified as symphonic metal, the band prefers to call their style 'Nordic folk metal' because of the folk elements in their music and occasional Norwegian lyrics. Their lyrics
Lyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
are largely based on Norwegian folk tales. Their first full-length album, Where Twilight Dwells, was released in 2005; their new album, Nordlys, was released on March 28, 2008.
Midnattsol means "midnight sun
Midnight sun
The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon occurring in summer months at latitudes north and nearby to the south of the Arctic Circle, and south and nearby to the north of the Antarctic Circle where the sun remains visible at the local midnight. Given fair weather, the sun is visible for a continuous...
" in Norwegian
Norwegian language
Norwegian is a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Norway, where it is the official language. Together with Swedish and Danish, Norwegian forms a continuum of more or less mutually intelligible local and regional variants .These Scandinavian languages together with the Faroese language...
.
Guitarists Daniel Droste and Christian Hector recently joined forces with Stephan Adolph to form Ahab
Ahab (band)
Ahab is a German funeral doom metal band founded in 2004 by Midnattsol guitarists Christian Hector and Daniel Droste and former Endzeit guitarist Stephan Adolph. The band is named after Captain Ahab, a character in the novel Moby Dick by Herman Melville...
, a German funeral doom
Doom metal
Doom metal is an extreme form of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other metal genres...
band.
Chris Merzinsky and Birgit Öllbrunner are also playing in the band R:I:P.
Carmen Elise Espenæs is the younger sister of Liv Kristine Espenæs Krull
Liv Kristine
Liv Kristine Espenæs Krull , better known as Liv Kristine, is the former vocalist for the band Theatre of Tragedy and current vocalist for the band Leaves' Eyes.- Career :...
, former vocalist of Theatre of Tragedy
Theatre of Tragedy
Theatre of Tragedy was a Norwegian band from Stavanger, active between 1993 and 2010. They are best known for their earlier albums, which provided a great deal of influence to the gothic metal genre.-Biography:...
and current vocalist for Leaves' Eyes
Leaves' Eyes
Leaves' Eyes is a German-Norwegian symphonic metal band from Stavanger, Norway and Ludwigsburg, Germany. They were formed in 2003 by Liv Kristine, the former lead singer of Theatre of Tragedy and the entire line-up of Atrocity...
.
On July 10, 2009, Midnattsol announced guitarist Fabian Pospiech had left the band to concentrate on his family.
The band won the 'Best Hope' Award at the Metal Female Voices Fest
Metal Female Voices Fest
Metal Female Voices Fest is a heavy metal music festival held annually in Belgium since 2003. It is organized by the Metal Organisation agency. The seventh edition took place at Oktoberhallen in Wieze in the municipality of Lebbeke on October 17 and October 18, 2009.-October 22:*Doro* Leaves' Eyes*...
2009 due to the majority of votes by the fans.
In spring 2010 they announced their return to the studio to record Midnattsol's third album from May to about July 2010. They've been keeping their fans up to date via studio reports on YouTube posted on their official Twitter
In November 2010, they announced the title of the new album, "The Metamorphosis Melody". In December 2010 they announced that "The Metamorphosis Melody" would be released on the 22nd of April 2011. They also announced the departure of guitarist Daniel Droste.
Current line-up
- Carmen Elise EspenæsCarmen Elise EspenæsCarmen Elise Espenæs is the vocalist and the co-founder of the gothic/folk metal band Midnattsol.- Career :...
– vocals (since 2002) - Birgit Öllbrunner – bass (since 2002)
- Chris Merzinsky – drums (since 2002)
- Daniel Fischer – keyboard (since 2002)
- Alex Kautz – guitar (since 2009)
Former members
- Christian Hector – guitar (2002–2008)
- Fabian Pospiech – guitar (2008–2009)
- Daniel DrosteDaniel Droste- Career :He is known for being the guitarist of the gothic/folk metal band Midnattsol and the vocalist, guitarist, and keyboardist of the funeral doom band Ahab.-With Penetralia:*Schwarz *Tribute to the Moon...
– guitar (2002–2010)
Studio albums
- Where Twilight DwellsWhere Twilight DwellsWhere Twilight Dwells is the debut full-length album by the German / Norwegian Gothic / folk metal band Midnattsol. It was released on January 31, 2005 through Napalm Records....
(2005) - NordlysNordlys (album)Nordlys is the second full-length album by the Norwegian Gothic / folk metal band Midnattsol. It was released on March 28, 2008 through Napalm Records.- Track listing :# "Open Your Eyes" - 5:43# "Skogens Lengsel" - 5:04# "Northern Light" - 6:18...
(2008) - The Metamorphosis Melody (2011)