Susperia

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Susperia is a Norwegian black/thrash metal band formed in October 1998 by Tjodalv and Cyrus.

The band was originally named Seven Sins, but since there was another band with that name they changed it to the title of the horror film Suspiria, but changed the spelling to avoid copyright issues. Susperia should not be confused with Suspiria, a band that also took its name from the film, but with the correct spelling.

History

Susperia was started by Tjodalv (Dimmu Borgir, Old Man's Child) and Cyrus (Satyricon, Old Man's Child) in October 1998. After Tjodalv left Dimmu Borgir in the middle of March 1999 he started to concentrate fully on Susperia together with old-time friend Cyrus. At Wacken Open Air Festival in 1999, Tjodalv met with singer Athera (Vanaheim), who joined the band subsequently, followed by bass player Memnock (Old Man's Child, Vanaheim) and guitarist Elvorn. They recorded a demo, Illusions of Evil, in December 1999 at Pitfire Studio outside Oslo, which was mixed and mastered by L. Argedick. Synthesizer and piano parts were played by Mustis (Dimmu Borgir).

The demo was sent out to different record companies and gained some positive feedback. They received a few offers from mainly major record labels, and signed in early 2000 with Nuclear Blast for four records. Susperia played their first live gig at John Dee in Oslo, following Ragnarok and Alsvartr; just a few months later they played at the Scream Magazine 10 year anniversary party.

Susperia are not a Satanic band but through their lyrics they tend to criticize and question the views and morals of Christianity.^[1][2]

On March 9, 2009, it was reported that vocalist Athera (real name Pål Mathisen) had suffered a heart attack.^[3] It was later confirmed that he had been rushed into hospital in Lørenskog, Norway, suffering from acute stomach pain and heavy bleeding. He is expected to remain hospitalised for some time.^[4] It was later announced that he would undergo a triple bypass operation on March 16, 2009.^[5]

Band members

Current members

• Athera (Paul Mathiesen) - vocals
• Cyrus - guitar
• Elvorn (Christian Hagen) - guitar
• Memnock (Håkon Didriksen) - bass
• Tjodalv (Ian Kenneth Åkesson) - drums

Discography

Studio albums

• Predominance (Nuclear Blast, 2000)
• Vindication (Nuclear Blast, 2002)
• Unlimited (Tabu, 2004)
• Cut From Stone (Tabu, 2007)
• Attitude (Candlelight Records, 2009)

EPs

• Devil May Care (EP, Tabu, 2005)

Demos

• Illusions of Evil (Demo, 2000)

References

1. ^ "Susperia Interview". fourteeng.net. 2007-09-29. http://www.fourteeng.net/interviews/susperia.html. Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
2. ^ "Live-Metal.net - Interviews: Susperia". Live-Metal.net. 2007-11-18. http://www.live-metal.net/interviews_susperia. Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
3. ^ "BLABBERMOUTH.NET - SUSPERIA Vocalist Suffers Heart Attack". Blabbermouth.net. 2009-03-10. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=115840. Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
4. ^ "Susperia Frontman Suffers Heart Attack". idiomag. 2009-03-11. http://www.idiomag.com/peek/69554/susperia. Retrieved 2009-03-11. 
5. ^ "News : SUSPERIA: Athera Will Undergo A Triple Bypass Operation". idiomag. 2009-03-16. http://www.idiomag.com/peek/70357/susperia. Retrieved 2009-03-17. 

External links

• The Official Susperia Website
• Susperia at MySpace
• BNR Metal Pages -- Susperia
• Susperia interview (german and english)