Sirenia (band)
Encyclopedia
Sirenia is a gothic metal
band from Stavanger
, Norway
which incorporates a mixture of gothic metal
and symphonic metal
, as well as extreme metal
and death metal
elements. The lyrics, written by Morten Veland
, tell a loose conceptual story that began at Widow's Weeds
, while he was still a member of Tristania
.
The band uses melodic instrumentals, synthesizers, and distorted guitars with female vocals, male death vocals, clean male vocals, a choir and violins. The lyrics are concerned with human existence, emotion, and mental states.
due to musical disagreements and personal differences. The band failed to find a suitable singer prior to recording in France
, so they conducted auditions and found Fabienne Gondamin for the recording of their debut album At Sixes and Sevens
.
On the subsequent tour Fabienne Gondamin was replaced by Henriette Bordvik, with whom the band recorded the album "An Elixir For Existence
" and the EP "Sirenian Shores
".
On November 2005 Henriette Bordvik left the band for personal reasons.
In 2007 they released a third album – "Nine Destinies and a Downfall
". The album features new singer, Monika Pedersen
from Denmark
, who joined the band in April 2006, and new guitarist Bjørnar Landa (from Artifact), who joined the band during the recording.
On November 5, 2007, Monika Pedersen
quit the band over musical disagreements. Her departure caused Sirenia to pull out of a planned European tour with Therion
.
On April 9, 2008, Sirenia announced Spanish X Factor
contestant Ailyn
as their new female vocalist.
On May 19, 2008, it was announced that Bjørnar Landa left the band in order to have more time for his family and studies. He was replaced by Michael S. Krumins (Green Carnation
).
On June 12, 2008, Sirenia announced that for the first time in their career, they had decided to work with a bassplayer for their live shows. The session bass player will be Kristian Olav Torp.
Sirenia started recording their fourth album in July 2008. It was recorded in Sound Suite Studios, France and Stargoth Studios, Norway. The mixing and mastering took place in Antfarm Studios, Denmark with Tue Madsen.
The album, called "The 13th Floor
", was completed on September and the release date was 23 January 2009. The album features guest appearances by Jan Kenneth Barkved.
The first single, "The Path To Decay
", was released on December 26, 2008 as a digital download.
On 8 July 2010, Sirenia announced that they started recording a new album. It was finished in November, and will be titled "The Enigma of Life
". The release date is 21 January 2011.
The first single, "The End Of It All
", was released on December 21, 2010 as a digital download.
On 19 April 2011, Michael leaves Sirenia to use more time on his own bands and projects.
On 21 October 2011, Jan Erik Soltvedt joined the band and will fill in the place as lead guitarist.
Gothic metal
Gothic metal or goth metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that combines the aggression of doom metal with the dark melancholy of gothic rock. The music of gothic metal is diverse with bands known to adopt the gothic approach to different styles of heavy metal music...
band from Stavanger
Stavanger
Stavanger is a city and municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway.Stavanger municipality has a population of 126,469. There are 197,852 people living in the Stavanger conurbation, making Stavanger the fourth largest city, but the third largest urban area, in Norway...
, 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...
which incorporates a mixture of gothic metal
Gothic metal
Gothic metal or goth metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that combines the aggression of doom metal with the dark melancholy of gothic rock. The music of gothic metal is diverse with bands known to adopt the gothic approach to different styles of heavy metal music...
and 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...
, as well as extreme metal
Extreme metal
Extreme metal is a loosely defined umbrella term for a number of related heavy metal music subgenres that have developed since the early 1980s. The term usually refers to a more abrasive, harsher, underground, non-commercialized style or sound nearly always associated with genres like black metal,...
and death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
elements. The lyrics, written by Morten Veland
Morten Veland
Morten Veland is a Norwegian musician. He was one of the founding members of the Norwegian gothic metal band Tristania and later founded Sirenia....
, tell a loose conceptual story that began at Widow's Weeds
Widow's Weeds (album)
Widow's Weeds is the first full-length album by the Norwegian gothic metal band Tristania.-Track listing:All music by Tristania, all lyrics by Morten Veland# "Preludium..." – 1:09# "Evenfall" – 6:53# "Pale Enchantress" – 6:31# "December Elegy" – 7:31...
, while he was still a member of Tristania
Tristania (band)
Tristania is a band from Norway, formed in 1996 by Morten Veland, Einar Moen and Kenneth Olsson. Tristania's music is usually classified as symphonic gothic metal with doom/death metal influences , due to its strong ties with the goth metal's history...
.
The band uses melodic instrumentals, synthesizers, and distorted guitars with female vocals, male death vocals, clean male vocals, a choir and violins. The lyrics are concerned with human existence, emotion, and mental states.
Background
Sirenia came together in early 2001, when Morten parted ways with his former band TristaniaTristania (band)
Tristania is a band from Norway, formed in 1996 by Morten Veland, Einar Moen and Kenneth Olsson. Tristania's music is usually classified as symphonic gothic metal with doom/death metal influences , due to its strong ties with the goth metal's history...
due to musical disagreements and personal differences. The band failed to find a suitable singer prior to recording in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, so they conducted auditions and found Fabienne Gondamin for the recording of their debut album At Sixes and Sevens
At Sixes and Sevens
At Sixes and Sevens is Sirenia's first studio album. It is their only album with the vocals of French singer Fabienne Gondamin. The girl on the cover is a Norwegian model, picked by the designer to represent a Siren.- Track listing :...
.
On the subsequent tour Fabienne Gondamin was replaced by Henriette Bordvik, with whom the band recorded the album "An Elixir For Existence
An Elixir for Existence
An Elixir for Existence is the second album by the Norwegian symphonic metal band Sirenia, released in 2004. The album follows in the same vein as the previous At Sixes and Sevens, but includes a new female vocalist, Henriette Bordvik....
" and the EP "Sirenian Shores
Sirenian Shores
Sirenian Shores is an EP by the Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia. It includes two new songs, "Sirenian Shores" and "Obire Mortem", a remix of "Save Me from Myself", an acoustic version of "Meridian" and a cover of Leonard Cohen's "First We Take Manhattan"...
".
On November 2005 Henriette Bordvik left the band for personal reasons.
In 2007 they released a third album – "Nine Destinies and a Downfall
Nine Destinies and a Downfall
Nine Destinies and a Downfall is the third full-length album by the Norwegian symphonic metal band Sirenia. It was released on 23 February 2007 through Nuclear Blast...
". The album features new singer, Monika Pedersen
Monika Pedersen
Monika Pedersen is a Danish singer of the band Sinphonia and former vocalist of the Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia, replacing Henriette Bordvik...
from Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, who joined the band in April 2006, and new guitarist Bjørnar Landa (from Artifact), who joined the band during the recording.
On November 5, 2007, Monika Pedersen
Monika Pedersen
Monika Pedersen is a Danish singer of the band Sinphonia and former vocalist of the Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia, replacing Henriette Bordvik...
quit the band over musical disagreements. Her departure caused Sirenia to pull out of a planned European tour with Therion
Therion (band)
Therion is a Swedish symphonic metal band founded by Christofer Johnsson in 1987. The word "therion" comes from the Greek therion , meaning "Beast," i.e., that of the Christian Book of Revelation...
.
On April 9, 2008, Sirenia announced Spanish X Factor
The X Factor (TV series)
The X Factor is a television talent show franchise originating in the United Kingdom, where it was devised as a replacement for Pop Idol. It is a singing competition, now held in various countries, which pits contestants against each other. These contestants are aspiring pop singers drawn from...
contestant Ailyn
Ailyn
Pilar Giménez García is a Spanish singer, known as Ailyn. She is the female vocalist of the gothic metal band Sirenia.-Musical start:...
as their new female vocalist.
On May 19, 2008, it was announced that Bjørnar Landa left the band in order to have more time for his family and studies. He was replaced by Michael S. Krumins (Green Carnation
Green Carnation
Green Carnation is a band from Kristiansand, Norway formed in 1990 that has created songs from both the progressive rock and progressive metal genres. Some also describe their music as art rock...
).
On June 12, 2008, Sirenia announced that for the first time in their career, they had decided to work with a bassplayer for their live shows. The session bass player will be Kristian Olav Torp.
Sirenia started recording their fourth album in July 2008. It was recorded in Sound Suite Studios, France and Stargoth Studios, Norway. The mixing and mastering took place in Antfarm Studios, Denmark with Tue Madsen.
The album, called "The 13th Floor
The 13th Floor (album)
The 13th Floor is the fourth full-length album by the Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia and their first with the Spanish vocalist Ailyn. It was released on January 23, 2009, through Nuclear Blast...
", was completed on September and the release date was 23 January 2009. The album features guest appearances by Jan Kenneth Barkved.
The first single, "The Path To Decay
The Path To Decay
"The Path To Decay" is a song recorded by the Norwegian band Sirenia. Released as a digital download, it is the first and final single from their album The 13th Floor.-Track listing:# "The Path To Decay - 3:33...
", was released on December 26, 2008 as a digital download.
On 8 July 2010, Sirenia announced that they started recording a new album. It was finished in November, and will be titled "The Enigma of Life
The Enigma of Life
The Enigma Of Life is the fifth full-length album by the Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia and their second with the Spanish vocalist Ailyn. It was released on January 21, 2011, through Nuclear Blast. The album was mastered at Finnvox studios in Finland. It is the first album by Sirenia to have...
". The release date is 21 January 2011.
The first single, "The End Of It All
The End of It All
The End of It All is the 37th release by avant-folk/blues singer/songwriter Jandek, released by his own Corwood Industries label . It was his second of four released in 2004. Jandek returns to electric guitar on the album, though his playing style and guitar tone sound like an electrified version...
", was released on December 21, 2010 as a digital download.
On 19 April 2011, Michael leaves Sirenia to use more time on his own bands and projects.
On 21 October 2011, Jan Erik Soltvedt joined the band and will fill in the place as lead guitarist.
Albums
- At Sixes and SevensAt Sixes and SevensAt Sixes and Sevens is Sirenia's first studio album. It is their only album with the vocals of French singer Fabienne Gondamin. The girl on the cover is a Norwegian model, picked by the designer to represent a Siren.- Track listing :...
(2002) - An Elixir for ExistenceAn Elixir for ExistenceAn Elixir for Existence is the second album by the Norwegian symphonic metal band Sirenia, released in 2004. The album follows in the same vein as the previous At Sixes and Sevens, but includes a new female vocalist, Henriette Bordvik....
(2004) - Nine Destinies and a DownfallNine Destinies and a DownfallNine Destinies and a Downfall is the third full-length album by the Norwegian symphonic metal band Sirenia. It was released on 23 February 2007 through Nuclear Blast...
(2007) - The 13th FloorThe 13th Floor (album)The 13th Floor is the fourth full-length album by the Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia and their first with the Spanish vocalist Ailyn. It was released on January 23, 2009, through Nuclear Blast...
(2009) - The Enigma of LifeThe Enigma of LifeThe Enigma Of Life is the fifth full-length album by the Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia and their second with the Spanish vocalist Ailyn. It was released on January 21, 2011, through Nuclear Blast. The album was mastered at Finnvox studios in Finland. It is the first album by Sirenia to have...
(2011)
Singles & Promo Singles
- My Mind's EyeMy Mind's Eye (Sirenia song)"My Mind's Eye" is a song recorded by the Norwegian band Sirenia. Released as a radio promotional CD, it is the only promotional single for the Nine Destinies and a Downfall album.-Music video:...
- The Path To DecayThe Path To Decay"The Path To Decay" is a song recorded by the Norwegian band Sirenia. Released as a digital download, it is the first and final single from their album The 13th Floor.-Track listing:# "The Path To Decay - 3:33...
- The End Of It AllThe End of It AllThe End of It All is the 37th release by avant-folk/blues singer/songwriter Jandek, released by his own Corwood Industries label . It was his second of four released in 2004. Jandek returns to electric guitar on the album, though his playing style and guitar tone sound like an electrified version...
Music videos
- My Mind's EyeMy Mind's Eye (Sirenia song)"My Mind's Eye" is a song recorded by the Norwegian band Sirenia. Released as a radio promotional CD, it is the only promotional single for the Nine Destinies and a Downfall album.-Music video:...
- The Other Side
- The Path To DecayThe Path To Decay"The Path To Decay" is a song recorded by the Norwegian band Sirenia. Released as a digital download, it is the first and final single from their album The 13th Floor.-Track listing:# "The Path To Decay - 3:33...
- The End Of It AllThe End of It AllThe End of It All is the 37th release by avant-folk/blues singer/songwriter Jandek, released by his own Corwood Industries label . It was his second of four released in 2004. Jandek returns to electric guitar on the album, though his playing style and guitar tone sound like an electrified version...
Current members
- Morten VelandMorten VelandMorten Veland is a Norwegian musician. He was one of the founding members of the Norwegian gothic metal band Tristania and later founded Sirenia....
– guitars, bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, programmingProgramming (music)Programming is a form of music production and performance using electronic devices, often sequencers or computer programs, to generate music. Programming is used in nearly all forms of electronic music and in most hip hop music since the 1990s. It is also frequently used in modern pop and rock...
, harsh vocalsDeath growlA death growl, also known as death metal vocals, guttural vocals, death grunts, and harsh vocals among other names, is a vocalisation style usually employed by vocalists of the death metal and black metal music genre, but also used in a variety of heavy metal and hardcore punk subgenres.Death...
, clean vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, lyricsLyricsLyrics 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...
, composerComposerA composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
(2001–present) - AilynAilynPilar Giménez García is a Spanish singer, known as Ailyn. She is the female vocalist of the gothic metal band Sirenia.-Musical start:...
– vocals (2008–present) - Jonathan A. PerezJonathan Pérez (musician)Jonathan Alejandro Pérez is a Chilean drummer who is currently based in Kristiansand, Norway. He is known for his work with the Norwegian gothic metal and symphonic metal bands Trail of Tears and Sirenia.-Career:...
– Drums (2003–present) - Jan Erik Soltvedt - Lead guitars (2011-present)
Former members
- Kristian Gundersen –- live guitar (2003–2004), clean vocals on "At Sixes and Sevens (2002)", "An Elixir for Existence (2004)" & "Sirenian Shores (2004)"
- Bjørnar Landa – live guitar (2004–2008)
- Henriette Bordvik – live female vocals (2003–2005), female vocals on "An Elixir for Existence (2004)" & "Sirenian Shores (2004)"
- Monika PedersenMonika PedersenMonika Pedersen is a Danish singer of the band Sinphonia and former vocalist of the Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia, replacing Henriette Bordvik...
– live female vocals (2006–2007), female vocals on "Nine Destinies and a Downfall (2007)" - Kristian Olav Torp – live bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2008) - Roland Navratil – live drums (European tour 2004-2005, 2009)
- Michael S. Krumins – live guitar & live harsh vocals (2008–2011)
Session members
- Fabienne Gondamin – female vocals on "At Sixes and Sevens (2002)"
- Jan Kenneth Barkved – clean vocals on "At Sixes and Sevens (2002)" & "The 13th Floor (2009)"
- Hans Henrik Varland – keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
on "At Sixes and Sevens (2002)" - Pete Johansen – violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
on "At Sixes and Sevens (2002)" - Anne Verdot – violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
on "An Elixir for Existence (2004)" - Stephanie Valentin – violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
on "The 13th Floor (2009)" - Damien Surian, Emilie Lesbros, Johanna Giraud, Hubert Piazzola – choirChoirA choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
on "At Sixes and Sevens (2002)" - Damien Surian, Mathieu Landry, Emmanuelle Zoldan, Sandrine Gouttebel, Emilie Lesbros – choirChoirA choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
on "An Elixir for Existence (2004)" - Damien Surian, Mathieu Landry, Emmanuelle Zoldan, Sandrine Gouttebel – choirChoirA choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
on "Nine Destinies and a Downfall (2007)" - Damien Surian, Mathieu Landry, Emmanuelle Zoldan, Sandrine Gouttebel, Emilie Lesbros – choirChoirA choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
on "The 13th Floor (2009)"