Universum (band)
Encyclopedia
UNIVERSUM are a melodic death metal
band hailing from Adelaide South Australia. The band completed formation in early 2007 and describe their sound a fusion of Scandinavian melodic death metal, new wave American metal, old school thrash metal and progressive metal. UNIVERSUM have released two albums to date, the debut album Leto Destinatus
on the 15th of June 2008 and their second album Mortuus Machina
on the 1st of January 2011.
, Death, and Iron Maiden
. In 2007, Universum completed an eponymous demo. Soon Liam Brophy and Rachael Madden were added to the line up. Playing a string of Australian shows, Universum entered the Emergenza Battle of the Bands competition where they came away runners up in the South Australian state final, winning 'Best Vocalist' and 'Best Guitarist.' Shortly following, the band recorded their debut album, Leto Destinatus
, which was well received by critics. The album was mixed and mastered in Sweden
by the renowned Jens Bogren (Opeth
, Soilwork
, Amon Amarth
). The artwork was done by Gus Sazes, and the album featured a guest solo by Tomy Laisto from the Finnish
melodeath band Mors Principium Est
. Following the album's release, the band were signed by Riot Entertainment. In October 2008, Universum embarked on their first Australian national tour, with the UK's power metal
band Dragonforce
. They have also secured 2009 shows with Cradle Of Filth
, Edguy
, Cynic
, Dark Funeral
and Ensiferum
. The band has featured on both the UK's Terrorizer magazine (Jan 2009, issue #180) and Metal Hammer's (Apr 2009, issue #191) covermount CDs.
On the back of releasing Leto Destinatus
, Universum picked up a string of endorsements and in March 2010 Michael Soininen and Stephen Murphy were fortunate enough to be the first Australian guitarists listed on the Ibanez guitars web page artist roster.
Universum have announced they are to commence recording of the follow-up to their debut album Leto Destinatus
in the coming months. Due for release on January 1, 2011, the album tentatively titled ‘Mortuus Machina’ will feature guest appearances from vocalist Christian Älvestam
(ex Scar Symmetry
, Miseration), vocalist Tommy Tuovinen (myGRAIN
), as well as guest guitar solos from Nightrage
axe men Marios Iliopoulos
and Olof Mörck
. Jens Bogren of Sweden’s Fascination Street Studios (Opeth
, Soilwork
, Amon Amarth
, Katatonia
) will once again be handling both mixing and mastering duties.
In June 2010, the band confirmed on their Myspace page that they had parted ways with their longtime bassist Liam Brophy.
Universum released their second album 'Mortuus Machina
' on January 1, 2011.
Melodic death metal
Melodic death metal is a heavy metal music style that combines elements from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal with elements of death metal. The style was developed during the early and mid-1990s, primarily in England and Scandinavia...
band hailing from Adelaide South Australia. The band completed formation in early 2007 and describe their sound a fusion of Scandinavian melodic death metal, new wave American metal, old school thrash metal and progressive metal. UNIVERSUM have released two albums to date, the debut album Leto Destinatus
Leto Destinatus
Leto Destinatus is the debut album by Australian melodic death metal band, Universum. This album was mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren of Sweden's Fascination Street Studios and is available through Australia's largest heavy music distributor Riot Entertainment, which the band is also signed to...
on the 15th of June 2008 and their second album Mortuus Machina
Mortuus Machina
Mortuus Machina is the second album by Australian Melodic Death Metal band Universum. This album features guest contributions from many well-known musicians in metal, including Christian Älvestam , Ola Frenning , Tommy Tuovinen , Marios Iliopoulos and Olof Mörck and Paul Wardingham.-Track...
on the 1st of January 2011.
Band history
Formed in early 2006, their sound was influenced by such bands as PanteraPantera
Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. Formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell in 1981, bassist Rex Brown would join in late 1981 with vocalist Terry Glaze. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera had Terry replaced in 1987 with Phil Anselmo as...
, Death, and Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
. In 2007, Universum completed an eponymous demo. Soon Liam Brophy and Rachael Madden were added to the line up. Playing a string of Australian shows, Universum entered the Emergenza Battle of the Bands competition where they came away runners up in the South Australian state final, winning 'Best Vocalist' and 'Best Guitarist.' Shortly following, the band recorded their debut album, Leto Destinatus
Leto Destinatus
Leto Destinatus is the debut album by Australian melodic death metal band, Universum. This album was mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren of Sweden's Fascination Street Studios and is available through Australia's largest heavy music distributor Riot Entertainment, which the band is also signed to...
, which was well received by critics. The album was mixed and mastered in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
by the renowned Jens Bogren (Opeth
Opeth
Opeth is a Swedish heavy metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990. Though the group has been through several personnel changes, singer, guitarist, and songwriter Mikael Åkerfeldt has remained Opeth's driving force throughout the years...
, Soilwork
Soilwork
Soilwork is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Helsingborg. They are currently signed to Nuclear Blast. Formed in late 1995 by Björn Strid and Peter Wichers, originally under the name Inferior Breed, the band changed their name in late 1996 to Soilwork .Their sound is a fusion of the classic...
, Amon Amarth
Amon Amarth
Amon Amarth is a Swedish viking metal band from Tumba, Sweden founded in 1992, and takes its name from the Sindarin translation of Mount Doom, a location in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. The band comprises vocalist Johan Hegg, guitarists Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Söderberg, bassist Ted Lundström...
). The artwork was done by Gus Sazes, and the album featured a guest solo by Tomy Laisto from the Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
melodeath band Mors Principium Est
Mors Principium Est
Mors Principium Est is a Finnish melodic death metal band formed in 1999.- History :The band was formed in 1999 in Pori, Finland by singer/lead guitarist Jori Haukio, guitarist Jarkko Kokko and keyboardist Toni Nummelin...
. Following the album's release, the band were signed by Riot Entertainment. In October 2008, Universum embarked on their first Australian national tour, with the UK's power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band Dragonforce
DragonForce
DragonForce are an English power metal band from London. Formed in 1999, the group is known for its long and fast guitar solos, fantasy-based lyrics, and electronic sounds in their music to add to their retro video game-influenced sound. Guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman are the only two...
. They have also secured 2009 shows with Cradle Of Filth
Cradle of Filth
Cradle of Filth are an English extreme metal band, formed in Suffolk in 1991. The band's musical style evolved from black metal to a cleaner and more "produced" amalgam of gothic metal, symphonic black metal, and other extreme metal styles, while their lyrical themes and imagery are heavily...
, Edguy
Edguy
-Demos, AFM years :Edguy was founded in 1992 by 14-year-old students Tobias Sammet, Jens Ludwig, Dominik Storch and Dirk Sauer. The name "Edguy" was an affectionate epithet for Mr. Edgar Siedschlag, their math teacher at the time. In 1994, the band released two demos, Evil Minded and Children of...
, Cynic
Cynic (band)
Cynic is an American progressive rock band, incorporating experimental music, alternative, metal and jazz fusion elements, founded in Miami, Florida and currently based in Los Angeles, California. Their first album, Focus, released on September 14, 1993, is widely regarded as a landmark release of...
, Dark Funeral
Dark Funeral
Dark Funeral is a black metal band from Stockholm, Sweden, founded by guitarists Blackmoon and Lord Ahriman in 1993. They are one of the bands to have emerged in Sweden during the Second wave of black metal....
and Ensiferum
Ensiferum
Ensiferum is a Finnish folk metal band from Helsinki. The members of the band label themselves as "heroic folk metal." Since their formation, Ensiferum has released four full-length albums, one EP, one compilation, three singles, and three demo albums and one unreleased album.-Musical...
. The band has featured on both the UK's Terrorizer magazine (Jan 2009, issue #180) and Metal Hammer's (Apr 2009, issue #191) covermount CDs.
On the back of releasing Leto Destinatus
Leto Destinatus
Leto Destinatus is the debut album by Australian melodic death metal band, Universum. This album was mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren of Sweden's Fascination Street Studios and is available through Australia's largest heavy music distributor Riot Entertainment, which the band is also signed to...
, Universum picked up a string of endorsements and in March 2010 Michael Soininen and Stephen Murphy were fortunate enough to be the first Australian guitarists listed on the Ibanez guitars web page artist roster.
Universum have announced they are to commence recording of the follow-up to their debut album Leto Destinatus
Leto Destinatus
Leto Destinatus is the debut album by Australian melodic death metal band, Universum. This album was mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren of Sweden's Fascination Street Studios and is available through Australia's largest heavy music distributor Riot Entertainment, which the band is also signed to...
in the coming months. Due for release on January 1, 2011, the album tentatively titled ‘Mortuus Machina’ will feature guest appearances from vocalist Christian Älvestam
Christian Älvestam
Gunnar Christian Älvestam is a vocalist, lyricist, guitarist, bassist and drummer for several bands from Sweden. He is, however, best known as the former vocalist for the Swedish melodic death metal band Scar Symmetry...
(ex Scar Symmetry
Scar Symmetry
Scar Symmetry is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Avesta in Dalarna County, formed in 2004. The band has released five albums, with six released singles...
, Miseration), vocalist Tommy Tuovinen (myGRAIN
MyGRAIN
myGRAIN is a melodic death metal band from Helsinki, Finland. They are currently signed to Spinefarm Records. They have released three studio albums.-Background:...
), as well as guest guitar solos from Nightrage
Nightrage
Nightrage is a Greek/Swedish melodic death metal band formed by guitarist Marios Iliopoulos and his close friend Gus G. who later re-located to Gothenburg, Sweden.-Sweet Vengeance:...
axe men Marios Iliopoulos
Marios Iliopoulos
Marios Iliopoulos, born December 16, 1969 in Thessaloniki, Greece is an acclaimed Greek heavy metal guitarist and founder of the Greek/Swedish melodic death metal band Nightrage, and a former member of Exhumation....
and Olof Mörck
Olof Mörck
Olof Mörck is a guitarist in the melodic death metal band Nightrage and guitarist of the power metal band Dragonland. Besides Marios, Olof is the longest running member of Nightrage...
. Jens Bogren of Sweden’s Fascination Street Studios (Opeth
Opeth
Opeth is a Swedish heavy metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990. Though the group has been through several personnel changes, singer, guitarist, and songwriter Mikael Åkerfeldt has remained Opeth's driving force throughout the years...
, Soilwork
Soilwork
Soilwork is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Helsingborg. They are currently signed to Nuclear Blast. Formed in late 1995 by Björn Strid and Peter Wichers, originally under the name Inferior Breed, the band changed their name in late 1996 to Soilwork .Their sound is a fusion of the classic...
, Amon Amarth
Amon Amarth
Amon Amarth is a Swedish viking metal band from Tumba, Sweden founded in 1992, and takes its name from the Sindarin translation of Mount Doom, a location in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. The band comprises vocalist Johan Hegg, guitarists Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Söderberg, bassist Ted Lundström...
, Katatonia
Katatonia
Katatonia is a Swedish metal band formed in Stockholm in 1991 by Jonas Renkse and Anders Nyström .-1991-1993:The early Katatonia releases, such as the EP Jhva Elohim Meth.....
) will once again be handling both mixing and mastering duties.
In June 2010, the band confirmed on their Myspace page that they had parted ways with their longtime bassist Liam Brophy.
Universum released their second album 'Mortuus Machina
Mortuus Machina
Mortuus Machina is the second album by Australian Melodic Death Metal band Universum. This album features guest contributions from many well-known musicians in metal, including Christian Älvestam , Ola Frenning , Tommy Tuovinen , Marios Iliopoulos and Olof Mörck and Paul Wardingham.-Track...
' on January 1, 2011.
Current members
| Name | Instrument | Membership | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Soininen | Vocals | Since 2007 | |
| Michael Soininen | Guitar Guitar The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... |
Since 2006 | Clean Vocals - Leto Destinatus Leto Destinatus Leto Destinatus is the debut album by Australian melodic death metal band, Universum. This album was mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren of Sweden's Fascination Street Studios and is available through Australia's largest heavy music distributor Riot Entertainment, which the band is also signed to... |
| Stephen Murphy | Guitar Guitar The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... |
Since 2006 | |
| Jaron Soininen | Drums Drum kit A 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 .... |
Since 2006 | |
| Rachael Madden | Keyboards Keyboard instrument A 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... |
Since 2006 | |
| Doug Clark | Bass | Since 2010 |
Former Members
| Name | Instrument | Membership | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liam Brophy | Bass Bass guitar The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... |
2006–2010 | |
Guest musicians
| Name | Contribution | Band | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Älvestam Christian Älvestam Gunnar Christian Älvestam is a vocalist, lyricist, guitarist, bassist and drummer for several bands from Sweden. He is, however, best known as the former vocalist for the Swedish melodic death metal band Scar Symmetry... |
Guest vocals | Miseration Miseration Miseration is a Swedish death metal band formed in 2006. Their lyrics primarily deal with themes of inner struggles and religious conflict. The band is one out of a collection of collaborations with both Jani Stefanovic and former Scar Symmetry vocalist Christian Älvestam; for example, both also... , Solution .45 Solution .45 Solution .45 is a metal supergroup from Sweden and Finland, created by guitarist Jani Stefanovic . Their current lineup includes vocalist Christian Älvestam , guitarists Stefanovic, Patrik Gardberg and Tom Gardiner , bassist Anders Edlund , and... , ex Scar Symmetry Scar Symmetry Scar Symmetry is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Avesta in Dalarna County, formed in 2004. The band has released five albums, with six released singles... |
Vocals on the tracks "Sum of the Universe, Fractured Archetype, 2.0 - (Mortuus Machina)" |
| Ola Frenning | Guest guitar | ex Soilwork Soilwork Soilwork is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Helsingborg. They are currently signed to Nuclear Blast. Formed in late 1995 by Björn Strid and Peter Wichers, originally under the name Inferior Breed, the band changed their name in late 1996 to Soilwork .Their sound is a fusion of the classic... |
Lead solo on the track "Sum of the Universe - (Mortuus Machina)" |
| Tommy Tuovinen | Guest vocals | myGRAIN MyGRAIN myGRAIN is a melodic death metal band from Helsinki, Finland. They are currently signed to Spinefarm Records. They have released three studio albums.-Background:... |
Vocals on the track "Asymmetric Dimensional State - (Mortuus Machina)" |
| Marios Iliopoulos Marios Iliopoulos Marios Iliopoulos, born December 16, 1969 in Thessaloniki, Greece is an acclaimed Greek heavy metal guitarist and founder of the Greek/Swedish melodic death metal band Nightrage, and a former member of Exhumation.... |
Guest guitar | Nightrage Nightrage Nightrage is a Greek/Swedish melodic death metal band formed by guitarist Marios Iliopoulos and his close friend Gus G. who later re-located to Gothenburg, Sweden.-Sweet Vengeance:... |
Lead solo on the track "Sum of the Universe - (Mortuus Machina)" |
| Olof Mörck Olof Mörck Olof Mörck is a guitarist in the melodic death metal band Nightrage and guitarist of the power metal band Dragonland. Besides Marios, Olof is the longest running member of Nightrage... |
Guest guitar | Nightrage Nightrage Nightrage is a Greek/Swedish melodic death metal band formed by guitarist Marios Iliopoulos and his close friend Gus G. who later re-located to Gothenburg, Sweden.-Sweet Vengeance:... |
Lead solo on the track "Asymmetric Dimensional State - (Mortuus Machina)" |
| Tomy Laisto | Guest guitar | Mors Principium Est Mors Principium Est Mors Principium Est is a Finnish melodic death metal band formed in 1999.- History :The band was formed in 1999 in Pori, Finland by singer/lead guitarist Jori Haukio, guitarist Jarkko Kokko and keyboardist Toni Nummelin... |
Lead solo on the track "Ignite the Subconscious - (Leto Destinatus)" |
| Paul Wardingham | Guest guitar | (solo musician) | Lead solo on the track "Aeon Displacement - (Mortuus Machina)" |
Studio albums
| Date of Release | Title | Label | Peak | Sales |
| July 15, 2008 | Leto Destinatus Leto Destinatus Leto Destinatus is the debut album by Australian melodic death metal band, Universum. This album was mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren of Sweden's Fascination Street Studios and is available through Australia's largest heavy music distributor Riot Entertainment, which the band is also signed to... |
Riot | ||
| January 1, 2011 | Mortuus Machina Mortuus Machina Mortuus Machina is the second album by Australian Melodic Death Metal band Universum. This album features guest contributions from many well-known musicians in metal, including Christian Älvestam , Ola Frenning , Tommy Tuovinen , Marios Iliopoulos and Olof Mörck and Paul Wardingham.-Track... |