Sirenia

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.

Background

Sirenia came together in early 2001, when Morten parted ways with his former band Tristania 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 due to musical disagreements. Her departure caused Sirenia to pull out of a planned European tour with Therion.

On April 9th, 2008, Sirenia announced Spanish X Factor contestant Ailyn as their new female vocalist.

On May 19th, 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 12th, 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 new 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.

Discography

Albums

• At Sixes and Sevens (2002)
• An Elixir for Existence (2004)
• Nine Destinies and a Downfall (2007)
• The 13th Floor (2009)

EPs

• Sirenian Shores (2004)

Singles & Promo Singles

• My Mind's Eye
• The Path To Decay

Music videos

• My Mind's Eye
• The Other Side
• The Path To Decay

Members

Current members

• Morten Veland - Composer, Programming, Growling, Clean Vocals, Guitar, Bass, keyboards
• Ailyn - Female Vocals
• Jonathan A. Perez - drums
• Michael S. Krumins - Guitar

With:

• Kristian Olav Torp - Bass (live)

Former members

• Henriette Bordvik - Female Vocals (2002-2005)
• Kristian Gundersen - Clean Vocals, Guitar (2001-2004)
• Monika Pedersen - Female Vocals (2006-2007)
• Bjørnar Landa - Guitar (2004-2008)

Session members

• Fabienne Gondamin - Female Vocals (2001-2002)
• Jan Kenneth Barkved - Clean Vocals
• Pete Johansen - Violin
• Hans Henrik Varland - keyboards
• Anne Verdot - Violin
• Roland Navratil - drums

External links

• Sirenia - official website
• Nuclear Blast - official website
• Official MySpace
• Audio interview of Morten Veland
• Ailyn - official fanclub
• Sirenia- French website