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Sirenia (band)

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Sirenia
Sirenia performing live in 2019
Sirenia performing live in 2019
Background information
OriginStavanger, Norway
GenresGothic metal, symphonic metal
Years active2001–present
LabelsNapalm (2002–2005, 2014–present)[1]
Nuclear Blast (2005–2014)[2]
MembersMorten Veland
Emmanuelle Zoldan
Nils Courbaron
Michael Brush
Past membersFabienne Gondamin
Henriette Bordvik
Kristian Gundersen
Monika Pedersen
Bjørnar Landa
Michael S. Krumins
Ailyn
Jonathan Pérez
Jan Erik Soltvedt
Websitemortenveland.com/sirenia

Sirenia is a Norwegian gothic metal band from Stavanger, founded in 2001 by Morten Veland.

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.

History

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2001–2003: Formation and At Sixes and Sevens

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In January 2001, Veland, a founding member of Tristania left the band, within a few weeks Veland had a new band along with three other members.[3] He had written material for Tristania's next release but because of the split, he used it towards Sirenia's debut album At Sixes and Sevens with other new material written for it as well. The band entered the studio by November or December 2001. The band failed to find a suitable singer prior to recording in France, so they hired a session female singer named Fabienne Gondamin.[3]

2004–2007: An Elixir for Existence and Nine Destinies and a Downfall

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Henriette Bordvik in Inferno Metal Festival in 2003

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.

The band signed with Nuclear Blast in May 2005.[4]

In November 2005, Henriette Bordvik left the band, citing 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 5 November 2007 Monika Pedersen quit the band over musical disagreements. Her departure caused Sirenia to pull out of a planned European tour with Therion.

2008–2011: The 13th Floor and The Enigma of Life

[edit]

Sirenia began looking for a new singer in November 2007.[5] The process in finding their newest member took about six months. About 500 applied, at the end they wanted to find someone from the EU region for practical reasons.[5] On 9 April 2008 Sirenia announced Spanish X Factor contestant Ailyn as their new female vocalist.[6]

On 19 May 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 12 June 2008 Sirenia announced that for the first time in their career, they had decided to work with a bass player 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 in 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 26 December 2008 as a digital download.

Ailyn and Morten Veland in March 2010

On 8 July 2010, the band announced that they started recording a new album. It was finished in November, and will be titled The Enigma of Life. It was released on 21 January 2011.

The first single, "The End of It All", was released on 21 December 2010 as a digital download.

Michael S. Krumins in Global East Rock Festival in September 2010

On 19 April 2011, Michael left Sirenia to put in more time on his own bands and projects. Jan Erik Soltvedt joined the band and filled in as the lead guitarist. Soltvedt accompanied Sirenia on their American and European tours in 2011, including the Gallus Sonorus Musicallis festival (GSM Fest) held in June 2011 in Barcelos, Portugal, and the Wacken Festival in Germany, held in August.

On 16 July 2011, and as one of their most important performances of that year, was held at the famous heavy metal festival Masters of Rock, which takes place annually in the city of Vizovice, Czech Republic. Previously, their first and only participation dates from 2008.

By the end of July and the beginning of August 2011, Sirenia made their second Latin American tour, which took them back to countries such as Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and for the first time to Peru and Chile in October.

2012–2016: Perils of the Deep Blue, The Seventh Life Path and Ailyn's departure

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On 16 October 2012 Sirenia announced that they have entered the studio to record their next album for an early 2013 release. The band on their sixth album, "The progress on the new album is going very well — we feel confident that the sixth Sirenia album will have some nice surprises up its sleeve, as we've been determined to make this record somewhat different from the previous two albums".[7]

On 13 April 2013 the band announced the title of their album on their Facebook page: Perils of the Deep Blue.[8] Their single "Seven Widows Weep" was released through Nuclear Blast on 12 May 2013. On 3 June 2013, the official music video of the song was released. It was filmed in April of the same year in Serbia by iCODE Team.[8]

Perils of the Deep Blue represented the first Sirenia album in US charts, such as the Billboard Hard Rock Albums and the Heatseekers Albums.[9]

The band announced they had returned to Napalm Records on 3 April 2014 with a pending album release for early 2015.[1] On 10 February 2015 Sirenia announced the title of their next record called The Seventh Life Path.[8] On 12 March 2015 the band announced on their Facebook page that Nightwatcher Films has signed Sirenia for the use of their song "Ducere Me In Lucem" of Perils of the Deep Blue for its soundtrack. The song will come out in the opening title sequence of a film called Abandoned Dead penned for release January 2016.[8][10]

On 5 July 2016 Sirenia announced that after 8 years they were parting ways in good terms with longtime vocalist Ailyn[11] but that the work with the upcoming album will proceed as normal.[8] The same day, Ailyn released a statement disputing the bands claim, saying that the decision was not hers and she was not a part of it.[11]

2016–2020: Dim Days of Dolor, new singer and Arcane Astral Aeons

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Emmanuelle Zoldan performing live in Kherson, Ukraine, in June 2016

On 29 August 2016 Sirenia revealed eighth full-length album Dim Days of Dolor before their official announcement of their new singer.

On 8 September 2016 Sirenia announced their new singer Emmanuelle Zoldan, a French mezzo-soprano singer from Aix-en-Provence who has worked with Sirenia for 13 years and is part of The Sirenian Choir.[12] She has contributed to lead vocals before on the Sirenian Shores EP cover of "First We Take Manhattan" by Leonard Cohen.[13]

Sirenia toured with Arkona and MindMaze in May 2017 for their debut in the United States and Canada.[14]

In October 2017 before a European tour, French guitarist Nils Courbaron unexpectedly was invited to participate in the live performances replacing Jan Erik Soltvedt. In November, longtime drummer Jonathan Pérez left the band and joined Green Carnation. Consequently, Sirenia temporarily again included Austrian drummer Roland Navratil, a live member who had performed with the band before.

The band returned to North America to join various bands on the heavy metal cruise, 70000 Tons of Metal for two shows on 2 and 3 February 2018.[15]

Sirenia toured North America for the second time with Canadian metal band Threat Signal in April 2018, with support from Valinor Excelsior, Graveshadow, Niviane and Dire Peril.[16]

Nils Courbaron in La Boule Noire, Paris, November 2018

On 14 August 2018, Sirenia had revealed the title of their ninth studio album Arcane Astral Aeons, along with a European tour in the fall. The album was released 26 October of the same year.[17][18]

A lyric video was made for the single "Love Like Cyanide" released on 21 September 2018. The song features a guest appearance by Yannis Papadopoulos from Finnish band Beast in Black.[19] On 12 October, "Into the Night" was released as the second single, followed by a music video. Both videos were directed by Swedish filmmaker and musician Owe Lingvall.[20]

In the fall of 2019, Sirenia went an extensive European tour with bands such as Leaves' Eyes, Forever Still and Lost in Grey.[21] During the tour, a new official member was introduced, British drummer Michael Brush from Magic Kingdom.[22]

2020–present: Riddles, Ruins & Revelations and 1977

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On 8 December 2020, Sirenia announced the title of their tenth studio album Riddles, Ruins & Revelations, with the release of their first single off of the album, "Addiction No. 1". The album was released on 12 February 2021.[23][24] The second single off of the album, "We Come to Ruins", was released on 12 January 2021.[25][26] On 10 February 2021, the band released their third single off of the album which is a cover of Desireless' "Voyage, voyage".[27] The tenth album was a remarkable stylistic shift for Sirenia, adding synth-pop to their usual symphonic metal musical style, opting for a more commercial bet.

On 22 March 2023, the band simultaneously announced the first single which is a cover of English singer Tanita Tikaram's "Twist in My Sobriety".[28] It is the first single that was featured on the eleventh studio album, 1977, which was released on 26 May 2023.[29] The other two singles were "Deadlight" and "Wintry Heart".[30] The album followed in the same vein as the previous Riddles, Ruins & Revelations, but with a style influenced by the rock bands of the 70s-80s.

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
BEL (Fla)
[31] 		BEL (Wal)
[32] 		FRA
[33] 		GER
[34] 		SWI
[35] 		UK Rock
[36] 		US Heat
[37] 		US Hard Rock
[38]
At Sixes and Sevens
  • Released: 13 August 2002
  • Label: Napalm
 — — — — — — — —
An Elixir for Existence
  • Released: 3 August 2004
  • Label: Napalm
 — — — — — — — —
Nine Destinies and a Downfall — — 134 54 85 — — —
The 13th Floor
  • Released: 23 January 2009
  • Label: Nuclear Blast
 — — 127 87 67 — — —
The Enigma of Life
  • Released: 21 January 2011
  • Label: Nuclear Blast
 — — — 73 53 — — —
Perils of the Deep Blue
  • Released: 28 June 2013
  • Label: Nuclear Blast
 98 89 136 50 43 11 20 97
The Seventh Life Path
  • Released: 8 May 2015
  • Label: Napalm
 198 122 — 68 77 — 18 —
Dim Days of Dolor
  • Released: 11 November 2016
  • Label: Napalm
 — 150 — — 89 34 — 25
Arcane Astral Aeons
  • Released: 26 October 2018
  • Label: Napalm
 131 150 — — 80 — — —
Riddles, Ruins & Revelations
  • Released: 12 February 2021
  • Label: Napalm
 — — — 89 18 — — —
1977
  • Released: 26 May 2023
  • Label: Napalm
 — — — — 78 — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or was not released.

Extended plays

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Singles and promo singles

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  • "My Mind's Eye" (2007)
  • "The Path to Decay" (2009)
  • "The End of It All" (2011)
  • "Seven Widows Weep" (2013)
  • "Once My Light" (2015)
  • "The 12th Hour" (2016)
  • "Dim Days of Dolor" (2016)
  • "Love Like Cyanide" (2018)
  • "Into the Night" (2018)
  • "Addiction No. 1" (2020)
  • "We Come to Ruins" (2021)
  • "Voyage, voyage" (2021, Desireless cover)
  • "Twist in My Sobriety" (2023, Tanita Tikaram cover)

Music videos

[edit]
Year Title Director(s)
2007 "My Mind's Eye" iCODE Team
"The Other Side" iCODE Team
2008 "The Path to Decay" Patric Ullaeus
2011 "The End of It All" Patric Ullaeus
2013 "Seven Widows Weep" iCODE Team
2015 "Once My Light" iCODE Team
2016 "Dim Days of Dolor" Owe Lingvall
2018 "Into the Night" Owe Lingvall
2020 "Addiction No. 1" iCODE Team
2021 "Voyage, voyage" (Desireless cover) —
2023 "Twist in My Sobriety" (Tanita Tikaram cover)
"Deadlight" Cécile Delpoïo, Pierre Troestler

Members

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Current members

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Former members

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  • Kristian Gundersen – guitars and clean vocals (live only) (2001–2004)
  • Henriette Bordvik – female vocals (2003–2005)
  • Monika Pedersen – female vocals (2006–2007)
  • Michael S. Krumins – guitars and harsh vocals (live only) (2008–2011)
  • Ailyn – female vocals (2008–2016)

Live members

[edit]
  • Nils Courbaron – guitars (2018–present)
  • Michael Brush – drums (2018–present)

Former live members

[edit]
  • Bjørnar Landa – guitars (2004–2008)
  • Kristian Olav Torp – bass (2008)
  • Roland Navratil – drums (2004–2005, 2009, 2017)
  • Jonathan A. Perez – drums (2003–2017)
  • Jan Erik Soltvedt – guitars (2011–2020)

The Sirenian Choir

[edit]
  • Damien Surian – choir on studio (2001–present)
  • Mathieu Landry – choir on studio (2003–present)
  • Emilie Bernou – choir on studio (2012–present)

Former Sirenian Choir members

[edit]
  • Johanna Giraud – sirenian choir (2001–2004)
  • Hubert Piazzola – sirenian choir (2001–2004)
  • Emilie Lesbros – sirenian choir (2001–2010)
  • Sandrine Gouttebel – sirenian choir (2003–2010)

Session members

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  • Fabienne Gondamin – vocals (2001–2002)
  • Pete Johansen – violin (2001–2002)
  • Anne Verdot – violin (2003–2004)
  • Jan Kenneth Barkved – clean vocals (2001–2002, 2008; died 2009)
  • Stephanie Valentin – violin (2008–2010, 2018)
  • Joakim Næss – clean vocals (2012–2016, 2021)

Timeline

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Sirenia Returns To Napalm Records – Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 3 April 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  2. ^ "Sirenia Sign With Nuclear Blast Records – Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 18 March 2005. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Sirenia- Old Is New Again". deadrhetoric. 10 May 2015.
  4. ^ "Sirenia Sign With Nuclear Blast Records – Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 18 March 2005. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Sirenia Interview". about.com. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  6. ^ "Sirenia Enlists 'XFactor Singer From Spain". blabbermouth.com. 9 April 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  7. ^ "Sirenia recording New Album". http://blabbermouth.net. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2013. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  8. ^ a b c d e "Facebook post". Facebook. Sirenia. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022.
  9. ^ SIRENIA – Perils Of The Deep Blue Enters The Charts In The US
  10. ^ "Abandoned Dead Nears Completion- Inks Sirenia For Film Soundtrack". AbandonedDead.
  11. ^ a b "SIRENIA Parts Ways With Singer AILYN GIMÉNEZ GARCÍA". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  12. ^ "SIRENIA Recruits Singer EMMANUELLE ZOLDAN, Releases 'Dim Days Of Dolor' Album Samples". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  13. ^ "Sirenia". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022.
  14. ^ "Arkona, Sirenia Announce North American Tour". Metal Underground. 14 February 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  15. ^ "Sirenia Confirmed For 70000 Tons Of Metal 2018". Metal Underground. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  16. ^ "Threat Signal Announced As Support For North American Tour With Sirenia". Metal Underground. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  17. ^ "Sirenia to release 'Arcane Astral Aeons' in October". Metal Insider. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  18. ^ "SIRENIA To Release 'Arcane Astral Aeons' Album In October". Blabbermouth. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  19. ^ SIRENIA: Lyric Video For New Song 'Love Like Cyanide'
  20. ^ Sirenia Premiere 'Into the Night' Music Video
  21. ^ "LEAVES' EYES And SIRENIA To Headline Female Metal Voices Tour 2019 With FOREVER STILL, LOST IN GREY And More". Bravewords. 17 September 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  22. ^ Sirenia welcomes new drummer
  23. ^ Bauer, Simon (8 December 2020). "SIRENIA: "Riddles, Ruins & Revelations"-Album für Februar 2021 angekündigt". Rock Hard Magazine. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  24. ^ Pessina, Luca. "SIRENIA: ascolta la nuova "Addiction No. 1"". Metalitalia (in Italian). Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  25. ^ "Sirenia to unveil new single next week". Metal Insider. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  26. ^ "SIRENIA: 'We Come To Ruins'-Single is online". Rock Hard Megazine. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  27. ^ "SIRENIA Release Cover of DESIRELESS' '80s Hit 'Voyage Voyage'; Music Video". BraveWords. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  28. ^ "Sirenia Set May Release For 1977 Album; "Twist In My Sobriety" Performance Video Revealed". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  29. ^ "Sirenia To Release New Studio Album '1977' In May; Music Video For Cover Of Tanita Tikaram's 'Twist In My Sobriety' Launched". Metal Forces Magazine. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  30. ^ "SIRENIA Release Music Video For New Track 'Wintry Heart' (May 25th, 2023) | News @ Metal Forces Magazine". Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  31. ^ "ultratop.be – ULTRATOP BELGIAN CHARTS". ultratop.be.
  32. ^ "ultratop.be – ULTRATOP BELGIAN CHARTS". ultratop.be.
  33. ^ Hung, Steffen. "lescharts.com – Les charts français". www.lescharts.com.
  34. ^ "Discographie von Sirenia". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  35. ^ Hung, Steffen. "Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade und Music Community". hitparade.ch.
  36. ^ Peaks on the UK Rock Chart:
  37. ^ "Sirenia – Chart history – Billboard". www.billboard.com.
  38. ^ "SIRENIA – Perils Of The Deep Blue Enters The Charts In The US". bravewords.com. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  39. ^ "Metal By Numbers 4/29 – Italy, Cleveland Debut High". Metal Insider. 29 April 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  40. ^ "Metal By Numbers 2/23: A Surprisingly (Un)Dead Week For The Charts". Metal Insider. 23 February 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  41. ^ "Metal By Numbers 7/17: Like Festivals To Flames". Metal Insider. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  42. ^ "Metal By Numbers 7/24: Respect Walk Through Exits Only". Metal Insider. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  43. ^ "Metal By Numbers 8/7: Unsurprisingly, Five Finger Death Punch Have a Number 2 Record". Metal Insider. 7 August 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  44. ^ "Metal By Numbers 5/21: Sales beyond the veilMetal Insider". 21 May 2015.
  45. ^ "Metal By Numbers 5/28: The charts have got solMetal Insider". 28 May 2015.
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