Zeromancer
Encyclopedia
Zeromancer is a Norwegian industrial rock
band formed in 1999 by members of the band Seigmen
. The current lineup is Alex Møklebust (vocals), Kim Ljung (bass guitar/backup vocals), Noralf Ronthi (drums) Lorry Kristiansen (programming) and Dan Heide (lead guitar). They have released five studio albums to date, with The Death of Romance
being the latest.
. During the 1990s, Seigmen dominated the Norwegian rock scene and also made a name for themselves internationally, playing concerts abroad. When Seigmen split in March 1999, Kim Ljung
(bass guitar/backup vocals) and Erik Ljunggren (programming) went to Los Angeles and got an idea for a new band called Zeromancer. Two more members of Seigmen joined them in Los Angeles: Alex Møklebust (vocals) and Noralf Ronthi (drums). James Saes recorded the first demos with the band and stood in as their guitar player. A little later, the band was complete, when they joined with Chris Schleyer (guitar), formerly of Kidneythieves
and Prick which was released under Trent Reznor's label (Nothing/Interscope).
On March 13, 2000, Zeromancer released their first album, Clone Your Lover
. The title track was a minor hit at many clubs and venues. The album also won Zeromancer the award for the best newcomer of 2000 at the German Alternative Music Awards. A music video was created for the song "Clone Your Lover".
, which featured a cover version
of the song "Send Me an Angel" by Australian band Real Life
, the original having been a major hit in 1983. A music video was created for the song "Dr Online".
In spring 2003, coinciding with the US reissue of Clone Your Lover, the band toured in the United States
with the early 1990s bands Pigface
and My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult. This tour did much to increase Zeromancer's fanbase in the United States. The tour also allowed Zeromancer to take a break from recording their third studio album, working on it after the tour was over.
. The songs on the album were a lot calmer than the first two albums, which fans had not expected. The name comes from a street sign that the band saw while touring in the United States. In San Bernardino County, California
, there is a place named Zzyzx
Springs, which was named to ensure that it would be last in the index of all US place names. A music video was created for the song "Erotic Saints".
Following the release, Chris Schleyer left the band, and joined A Perfect Circle
as a rehearsal guitarist. In 2007, Chris Schleyer created his new band Affected, and worked with Nine Inch Nails
on their tour.
The band went on a temporary hiatus for three years. During this time Kim Ljung created his solo project, Ljungblut, and recorded a double-CD with Dan Heide. Alex Møklebust did some producing for a few Norwegian bands (such as Gåte
and Don Juan Dracula) and Erik Ljunggren has lent his programming skills to a number of other artists (Satyricon
, Undergod) and began to study at a filmschool in Lillehammer. Seigmen also reunited for some concerts and recorded a live CD and DVD.
". On October 22, 2007, Zeromancer released their second single from their upcoming album, titled "I'm Yours To Lose"; it was released on a CD single which includes a remix of "Doppelgänger I Love You".
In an interview from www.Heavy-Metal.de with Kim Ljung on August 22, 2007, Kim was asked about the new album:
Lorry Kristiansen replaced Erik on keyboards and programming.
A post on their official website, zeromancer.com, announced the release date for "Sinners International" to be February 13, 2009, with a tour to follow in March.
The band released the It Sounds Like Love (But It Looks Like Sex) EP, in October 2009 It contains remixes of tracks from "Sinners International
" and of their Depeche Mode
cover "Photographic".
Zeromancer released their fifth album, The Death of Romance, on March 6, 2010.
, alongside such bands as Nine Inch Nails
, Celldweller
, KMFDM
, Die Krupps
, Stabbing Westward
, Oomph!
, Orgy
, and Rammstein
. Elements of synthpop
are present in some of their work, bearing similarities to that of Depeche Mode
.
and Neuromancer
by William Gibson
.
Industrial rock
Industrial rock is a musical genre that fuses industrial music and specific rock subgenres. Industrial rock spawned industrial metal, with which it is often confused...
band formed in 1999 by members of the band Seigmen
Seigmen
Seigmen was a Norwegian alternative rock band in the 1990s. The bandname is derived from a Norwegian brand of candies, "Seigmenn". The band went from a hard-edged grunge-like style to a more dynamic sound with more ambient parts and use of synthesizers and various audio-effects.-Members:* Kim...
. The current lineup is Alex Møklebust (vocals), Kim Ljung (bass guitar/backup vocals), Noralf Ronthi (drums) Lorry Kristiansen (programming) and Dan Heide (lead guitar). They have released five studio albums to date, with The Death of Romance
The Death of Romance
The Death of Romance is the fifth album by Norwegian industrial rock quintet Zeromancer. Released just a year after their previous album Sinners International, the electronic sounds prevail on this album rather than the heavy guitar sounding of Sinners...
being the latest.
Formation, Clone Your Lover (1999-2000)
The core of Zeromancer met in the influential Norwegian band SeigmenSeigmen
Seigmen was a Norwegian alternative rock band in the 1990s. The bandname is derived from a Norwegian brand of candies, "Seigmenn". The band went from a hard-edged grunge-like style to a more dynamic sound with more ambient parts and use of synthesizers and various audio-effects.-Members:* Kim...
. During the 1990s, Seigmen dominated the Norwegian rock scene and also made a name for themselves internationally, playing concerts abroad. When Seigmen split in March 1999, Kim Ljung
Kim Ljung
Kim Ljung is a musician from Tønsberg, Norway. He is best known as the bassist in Norwegian alternative rock band Seigmen and industrial band Zeromancer. He also appeared as guest vocalist on SubGud's Time Machine.- Early career :...
(bass guitar/backup vocals) and Erik Ljunggren (programming) went to Los Angeles and got an idea for a new band called Zeromancer. Two more members of Seigmen joined them in Los Angeles: Alex Møklebust (vocals) and Noralf Ronthi (drums). James Saes recorded the first demos with the band and stood in as their guitar player. A little later, the band was complete, when they joined with Chris Schleyer (guitar), formerly of Kidneythieves
Kidneythieves
Kidneythieves is an American alternative and industrial rock band led by Free Dominguez and Bruce Somers . Also present in the band are Chris Schleyer , Christian Dorris , and Sean Sellers .- History :...
and Prick which was released under Trent Reznor's label (Nothing/Interscope).
On March 13, 2000, Zeromancer released their first album, Clone Your Lover
Clone Your Lover
Clone Your Lover is the first studio album of the Norwegian industrial rock band Zeromancer.-Track listing:All tracks composed by Kim Ljung.# "Clone Your Lover" 3:50# "Flirt " - 3:59# "Something for the Pain" - 3:32# "Split Seconds" - 3:16...
. The title track was a minor hit at many clubs and venues. The album also won Zeromancer the award for the best newcomer of 2000 at the German Alternative Music Awards. A music video was created for the song "Clone Your Lover".
Eurotrash and United States Tour (2001-2003)
In 2001, Zeromancer released the album EurotrashEurotrash (album)
Eurotrash is the second studio album of the Norwegian industrial rock band Zeromancer.The album spawned 2 singles, "Doctor Online" and "Need You Like a Drug", and a cover of the Australian band Real Life's "Send Me an Angel".-Track listing:...
, which featured a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of the song "Send Me an Angel" by Australian band Real Life
Real Life (band)
Real Life are a Melbourne-based Australian New Wave/Synthpop band that had hits with their debut single, "Send Me an Angel" and with "Catch Me I'm Falling" , both of which were featured on the band's debut album Heartland .-Biography:...
, the original having been a major hit in 1983. A music video was created for the song "Dr Online".
In spring 2003, coinciding with the US reissue of Clone Your Lover, the band toured in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with the early 1990s bands Pigface
Pigface
Pigface is an industrial rock supergroup formed in 1990 by Martin Atkins and William Rieflin.-History:Pigface was formed from Ministry's The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste tour, which produced the In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up live album and video. For the tour, Al Jourgensen brought...
and My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult. This tour did much to increase Zeromancer's fanbase in the United States. The tour also allowed Zeromancer to take a break from recording their third studio album, working on it after the tour was over.
Zzyzx, Chris Schleyer departure, and hiatus (2003-2006)
In autumn 2003, Zeromancer released their third album, ZzyzxZzyzx (album)
Zzyzx is the third studio album of the Norwegian industrial rock band Zeromancer.The album takes its title from the name of a road leading to, and named for, Zzyzx, California....
. The songs on the album were a lot calmer than the first two albums, which fans had not expected. The name comes from a street sign that the band saw while touring in the United States. In San Bernardino County, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, there is a place named Zzyzx
Zzyzx, California
Zzyzx, California , formerly Camp Soda and Soda Springs, is a settlement in San Bernardino County, California. It is the former site of the Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Spa and now the site of the Desert Studies Center...
Springs, which was named to ensure that it would be last in the index of all US place names. A music video was created for the song "Erotic Saints".
Following the release, Chris Schleyer left the band, and joined A Perfect Circle
A Perfect Circle
A Perfect Circle is an American rock supergroup formed in 1999 by guitarist Billy Howerdel and Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan. The original incarnation of the band also included Paz Lenchantin on bass, Troy Van Leeuwen on guitar, and Tim Alexander on drums...
as a rehearsal guitarist. In 2007, Chris Schleyer created his new band Affected, and worked with Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
on their tour.
The band went on a temporary hiatus for three years. During this time Kim Ljung created his solo project, Ljungblut, and recorded a double-CD with Dan Heide. Alex Møklebust did some producing for a few Norwegian bands (such as Gåte
Gåte
Gåte was a band from Trøndelag, Norway playing Norwegian folk music bred with metal and electronica. Their style has been referred to as progressive folk-rock...
and Don Juan Dracula) and Erik Ljunggren has lent his programming skills to a number of other artists (Satyricon
Satyricon (band)
Satyricon is a Norwegian black metal band, and the first one in the genre to join a multi-national record label .-Biography:Satyricon was formed in 1990 by Czral and Wargod. Ulver and Satyr soon joined them...
, Undergod) and began to study at a filmschool in Lillehammer. Seigmen also reunited for some concerts and recorded a live CD and DVD.
Sinners International and current events (2006-present)
Zeromancer returned in fall 2006 and began touring again. An early ten-track demo from the oval room was recorded. They released a single titled "Doppelgänger I Love You". It was played in Europe, peaking at number 4 on the Deutsche Alternative Charts http://www.trendcharts.de/dac.html. There was also a music video created for the song. It has since been leaked to the internet. The song is from an upcoming Zeromancer album called "Sinners InternationalSinners International
Sinners International is the fourth album by industrial rock outfit Zeromancer. In this album Zeromancer returns to a more industrial, darker sound which was absent in their predecessor Zzyzx, with almost metal sounds at times....
". On October 22, 2007, Zeromancer released their second single from their upcoming album, titled "I'm Yours To Lose"; it was released on a CD single which includes a remix of "Doppelgänger I Love You".
In an interview from www.Heavy-Metal.de with Kim Ljung on August 22, 2007, Kim was asked about the new album:
Your last CD "ZZYZX" was softer than your preceding two albums. What can we expect from the new album "Sinners International"?
All albums of Zeromancer are different, because we are writing and recording the songs at different times. Our guiding principle is that we're never making over a song. There are many bands who do the same over and over again. We are always trying to change us, not at least to feel alive. I think the new album will sound differently than all three before. It will be like a combination of all CDs. Take the deeper meaning, put in all the things we liked and blend everything to something new. So, we hope to exceed the best.
Lorry Kristiansen replaced Erik on keyboards and programming.
A post on their official website, zeromancer.com, announced the release date for "Sinners International" to be February 13, 2009, with a tour to follow in March.
The band released the It Sounds Like Love (But It Looks Like Sex) EP, in October 2009 It contains remixes of tracks from "Sinners International
Sinners International
Sinners International is the fourth album by industrial rock outfit Zeromancer. In this album Zeromancer returns to a more industrial, darker sound which was absent in their predecessor Zzyzx, with almost metal sounds at times....
" and of their Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
cover "Photographic".
Zeromancer released their fifth album, The Death of Romance, on March 6, 2010.
Music
The music of Zeromancer largely falls within the category of industrial rockIndustrial rock
Industrial rock is a musical genre that fuses industrial music and specific rock subgenres. Industrial rock spawned industrial metal, with which it is often confused...
, alongside such bands as Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
, Celldweller
Celldweller
Celldweller is a Detroit, Michigan-based Electronic Rock project that was created by multi-instrumentalist Klayton, former frontman and songwriter of the bands Circle of Dust, Argyle Park, Angeldust . Celldweller's music is multi-faceted, often labeled electronic rock and more commonly being...
, KMFDM
KMFDM
KMFDM is an industrial band led by German multi-instrumentalist Sascha Konietzko, who founded the group in 1984 as a performance art project...
, Die Krupps
Die Krupps
Die Krupps is a German industrial rock/EBM band, formed in 1980 by Jürgen Engler and Bernward Malaka in Düsseldorf.-History:Their initial sound throughout the 1980s combined synthesizers with metallic percussion...
, Stabbing Westward
Stabbing Westward
Stabbing Westward was an American industrial rock and alternative rock band. They formed in 1985 in Chicago, Illinois and began recording in the 1990s. The band announced a dissolution in 2002.- Early years :...
, Oomph!
Oomph!
Oomph! is a German rock band that was formed in Wolfsburg, Germany in 1989. The band is considered to be the original Neue Deutsche Härte musical group. In the 22-year history of the band, there have been no line-up changes.-Early years :...
, Orgy
Orgy (band)
Orgy is an American synth rock band formed in 1996, from Los Angeles, California. Orgy described their music as "death pop".-History:Orgy was formed in 1996 by vocalist Jay Gordon and guitarist Ryan Shuck. Bassist Paige Haley, guitarist Amir Derakh, and drummer Bobby Hewitt soon completed the line-up...
, and Rammstein
Rammstein
Rammstein is a German Neue Deutsche Härte band from Berlin, formed in 1994. The band consists of members Till Lindemann , Richard Z. Kruspe , Paul H. Landers , Oliver "Ollie" Riedel , Christoph "Doom" Schneider and Christian "Flake" Lorenz...
. Elements of synthpop
Synthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
are present in some of their work, bearing similarities to that of Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
.
Current members
- Alex Møklebust – vocals (1999–present)
- Kim LjungKim LjungKim Ljung is a musician from Tønsberg, Norway. He is best known as the bassist in Norwegian alternative rock band Seigmen and industrial band Zeromancer. He also appeared as guest vocalist on SubGud's Time Machine.- Early career :...
- bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
(1999–present) - Noralf Ronthi - drumsDrummerA drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
(1999–present) - Dan Heide - guitarGuitarThe 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...
(2003–present) - Lorry Kristiansen - KeyboardElectronic keyboardAn electronic keyboard is an electronic or digital keyboard instrument.The major components of a typical modern electronic keyboard are:...
, 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...
(2003–present)
Former members
- Chris Schleyer - guitarGuitarThe 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...
(1999–2003) - Erik Ljunggren - KeyboardElectronic keyboardAn electronic keyboard is an electronic or digital keyboard instrument.The major components of a typical modern electronic keyboard are:...
, 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...
(1999–2003)
Studio albums
- 2000: Clone Your LoverClone Your LoverClone Your Lover is the first studio album of the Norwegian industrial rock band Zeromancer.-Track listing:All tracks composed by Kim Ljung.# "Clone Your Lover" 3:50# "Flirt " - 3:59# "Something for the Pain" - 3:32# "Split Seconds" - 3:16...
- 2001: EurotrashEurotrash (album)Eurotrash is the second studio album of the Norwegian industrial rock band Zeromancer.The album spawned 2 singles, "Doctor Online" and "Need You Like a Drug", and a cover of the Australian band Real Life's "Send Me an Angel".-Track listing:...
- 2003: ZzyzxZzyzx (album)Zzyzx is the third studio album of the Norwegian industrial rock band Zeromancer.The album takes its title from the name of a road leading to, and named for, Zzyzx, California....
- 2009: Sinners InternationalSinners InternationalSinners International is the fourth album by industrial rock outfit Zeromancer. In this album Zeromancer returns to a more industrial, darker sound which was absent in their predecessor Zzyzx, with almost metal sounds at times....
- 2010: The Death of RomanceThe Death of RomanceThe Death of Romance is the fifth album by Norwegian industrial rock quintet Zeromancer. Released just a year after their previous album Sinners International, the electronic sounds prevail on this album rather than the heavy guitar sounding of Sinners...
- 2012: TBA
Singles/EPs
- 2000: "Clone Your Lover"
- 2001: "Doctor Online"
- 2001: "Need You Like A Drug"
- 2003: "Famous Last Words"
- 2007: "Doppelgänger I Love You"
- 2007: "I'm Yours To Lose"
- 2009: It Sounds Like Love (But it Looks Like Sex) (EP)
Music videos
- 2000: "Clone Your Lover"
- 2001: "Doctor Online"
- 2003: "Erotic Saints"
- 2007: "Doppelgänger I Love You"
- 2010: "Industrypeople"
In other media
- An edited version of Zeromancer's song "Chrome Bitch" was used as part of the opening bumper for the syndicated radio program LovelineLovelineLoveline is a syndicated radio call-in program in North America, offering medical and relationship advice to listeners, often with the assistance of guests, typically actors and musicians. Its flagship station is KROQ-FM in Los Angeles....
. - "Flirt with me" was used in a Norwegian program called "Singel 24/7" on TV3.
- "Dr. Online (Rico remix)" appears on the Graver's Paradise album, remixed by Rico Darum. Another version of "Dr. Online" appears on Non-Stop Ride, an industrial album compiled by the band GodheadGodhead (band)Godhead, occasionally typeset as gODHEAD, is an American alternative rock/metal band from Washington, D.C.. They are most often credited with being the only band signed to musician Marilyn Manson's short-lived vanity label, Posthuman Records.-History:...
. - "Cupola" appears on Beauty in Darkness Vol. 6.
Etymology
Zeromancer derived their name by combining the titles of the novels Less Than Zero by Bret Easton EllisBret Easton Ellis
Bret Easton Ellis is an American novelist and short story writer. His works have been translated into 27 different languages. He was regarded as one of the so-called literary Brat Pack, which also included Tama Janowitz and Jay McInerney...
and Neuromancer
Neuromancer
Neuromancer is a 1984 novel by William Gibson, a seminal work in the cyberpunk genre and the first winner of the science-fiction "triple crown" — the Nebula Award, the Philip K. Dick Award, and the Hugo Award. It was Gibson's debut novel and the beginning of the Sprawl trilogy...
by William Gibson
William Gibson
William Gibson is an American-Canadian science fiction author.William Gibson may also refer to:-Association football:*Will Gibson , Scottish footballer...
.
External links
- Official website
- Official MySpace music profile
- [ Zeromancer page on All Music]