09.23.05 (RockAndMetal.com) After a chilly excursion into the artscape, Iceland's SIGUR ROS have come in from the cold to talk about their latest release, "Takk...." "There is nothing clever about Sigur Ros and how we write songs, it's just mucking about really. It's all very spontaneous," says SIGUR ROS keyboardist Kjartan Sveinsson. Easy for him to say - most musicians could muck about for millennia and never come up with anything even remotely approaching the elegance and depth of "Takk...," the fourth album from Iceland's glacially cool Art Rock quartet. In Iceland, "Takk" translates to a simple "thanks" - which begs the question: What are SIGUR ROS thanking us for? Perhaps it's for sticking by them during what for many fans has been the band's baffling excursion into the far-distant realms of sonic art. In 2002, SIGUR ROS confounded admirers of their breakthrough LP, "Agaetis Byrjun," (voted by the UK's Q Magazine as "the last great record of the 20th century") with a grimly atmospheric third album, "( )," a chilly compendium of titleless songs that sold over 600,000 copies but one suspects is not often played by people in a positive frame of mind. Writing music for the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, The Danish Royal Ballet, and composing a 70-minute orchestral work called "Odin's Raven Magic" didn't exactly enhance their reputation for easy listening, either. Looking back, the members of SIGUR ROS see "( )" as a retreat from the intense heat generated by their success. In the time between "Agaetis Byrjun"'s appearance in Iceland and its final release in Japan, the group toured relentlessly for three years. "( )" simply reflected their mindset. It was also a struggle to record, with the band chasing live-sounding versions of its darkest soundscapes in their newly built recording studio, a converted swimming pool 10 kilometers outside of Reykjavik. "This album sounds much more optimistic than the previous one," says Kjartan Sveinsson. "When we were doing the previous one, there was so much going on you know with us, as a band and as people. Things were going quite fast, and we were really tired. After we did 'Agaetis Byrjun,' everything went so fast - signing record deals and meeting all these new people in different countries. It was a scary thing really. (With) this album we had more time just to play around in the studio." "'Agaetis Byrjun' is sort of like a fairytale record and we really enjoyed (making) that," adds SIGUR ROS bassist Georg Holm. "But the last record was more like a Grimm fairytale -- very dark. So, yeah, I think we wanted to do it again, because it feels happy. I think we were a bit sick of this depression." A 65-minute suite of 11 linked pieces, "Takk..." came together relatively quickly, with recording starting in earnest in December of 2004 and mixing completed just six months later. According to the band -- with Icelandic tongue firmly wedged in Icelandic cheek -- "This is our rock 'n' roll album." True, on occasion they play loud and fast, but few of the cliches of the Rock genre emerge recognizably intact after being filtered through SIGUR ROS.
[WATCH]

09.23.05 (RockAndMetal.com) German Melodic Metal veterans HELLOWEEN will release the album "Keeper Of The Seven Keys III - The Legacy" via SPV Recordings on October 28th in their home country, October 31st for the rest of Europe, and November 8th in North America. Declared dead repeatedly by the critics, HELLOWEEN continue to be at the top of the international Metal scene at the beginning of their third decade of existence, having repeatedly reinvented themselves stylistically without ever losing their typical trademarks. The band's current members, Andi Deris (vocals), Michael Weikath (guitar), Sascha Gerstner (guitar), Markus Grosskopf (bass) and new addition Dani Loble (drums, ex-Rawhead Rexx) see "Keeper Of The Seven Keys III - The Legacy" as the completion of a trilogy following the 1987 and 1988 classic albums, "Keeper Of The Seven Keys - Part I" and "Keeper Of The Seven Keys - Part II." The first single release from the new album, the haunting 'Mrs. God,' was released at the begnning of this month as much more than merely an appetizer: it documented that even in their twentieth year, HELLOWEEN still set a high standard for the international Metal scene. The intense atmosphere during the preparatory phase leading up to the new album along with the mix of compositional and technical expertise inspired the band to link "Keeper Of The Seven Keys III - The Legacy" to their two most distinguished recordings to date. Even more pronounced than other recent compositions, the new tracks feature complex arrangements, numerous tempo changes, intricate breaks and epic sonic landscapes. HELLOWEEN first came together in the early Eighties, formed by members of two Hamburg bands, IRON FIST and POWERFOOL. The first line-up, featuring guitarist Weikath and bassist Grosskopf, was marked from the start by a high level of independence and the unconditional determination to work on the group's development. Only two years after the band's foundation, the members signed a recording deal and brought out their first EP. Their debut album, "Walls Of Jericho," and more particularly "Keeper Of The Seven Keys - Part I" and "Keeper Of The Seven Keys - Part II" catapulted the band directly amongst the elite of Metal and Hard Rock acts. HELLOWEEN were a major success, not only in Germany, but also in Japan and the U.S., and their success story continued unabated despite a number of line-up changes. Their first live recording, "Live In The U.K.," and "Pink Bubbles Go Ape," conclusively proved the high musical standard that the band stood for in those days. Legal difficulties with their record company put HELLOWEEN on ice for several months in the early nineties before they continued to keep up their musical standard on "Chameleon" and "Master Of The Rings." HELLOWEEN's other releases include "Time Of The Oath," "Better Than Raw," "Metal Juke Box," "The Dark Ride" and "Rabbit Don't Come Easy."
[WATCH]

09.22.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Japan's LAST TARGET are set to release their full-length debut album, "One Shot, One Kill," in North America next week on September 27th via BYO Records. Banded together from the remnants of THUG MURDER, LAST TARGET formed in late 2001. Beginning in January of 2002, the band began to play live shows around Japan and overseas while concurrently recording their first 7" EP, released in Japan on Ryoko's Luck Records Japan Ltd., and in the U.S. on San Francisco-based TKO Records. In March, LAST TARGET launched their first all-Japan tour -- booking and promoting it themselves -- while making an appearance on the TKO compilation, "Punch Drunk 4." The following month, the band played their first official U.S. tour with the likes of A STREET PUNK BAND, A-BOMB NATION, THE BOILS, THE CASUALTIES, TOXIC NARCOTIC, NY REL-X, A GLOBAL THREAT and SHWILL ROTTEN. In June of 2002, LAST TARGET do a tour of Japan with REDUCERS SF, while in November they see an appearance on a four-song split CD for Luck Records entitled "Rock 'N' Roll Wisdom" with ONE FOR ALL. In January of 2003, LAST TARGET make another appearance in the U.S. on "Nobility & Nihilism," a 10-song split CD with THE BOILS on Interference Records. In March, the band invites the latter to tour with them in Japan, after which several lineup changes occur within the band during the year. In August, LAST TARGET actively play around Tokyo and the surrounding districts of Japan, while taking part in "Set You Free At Club Citta" with past tourmates REDUCERS SF. The following month, the band go on their second U.S tour. Starting on the East coast, they wind their way through the Midwest to the West Coast and then finish off back on the East Coast, all within one month - with LAST TARGET seeing appearances with bands such as PROTAGONIST, THE BOILS, THE FLATLINERS, ADOLF & THE PISS ARTISTS, TEAR IT UP, REDUCERS SF, DROPKICK MURPHYS, ROGER MIRET & THE DISASTERS and UNSEEN. As soon as they get off of the U.S. tour, LAST TARGET invite THE FORGOTTEN to tour with them in Japan, after which the band's activities are suspended due to a loss of two band members to the likes of ONE FOR ALL and THE VICKERS. Meanwhile, the only remaining member, Ryoko, receives surgery and treatment for a knee injury received during 2003 while working to revive LAST TARGET as soon as possible. In March of 2004, Ryoko starts writing new songs with old friend Takeshi (ex-Fisher Man's), soon after which they are joined by new members Shimoji (Disgusteens) and Shinke (Fisher Man's). Now working relentlessly toward a revival show, LAST TARGET set their focus on recording their first full-length album in "One Shot, One Kill," a 13-song offering that includes some re-recorded titles as well as some new tracks. In July, as soon as recording was completed, LAST TARGET played their first show with new members at Shimokitazawa Era in Tokyo, ironically alongside both THE VICKERS as well as ONE FOR ALL.
[FREE MP3]

09.22.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Swedish Melodic Heavy Metal masters LION'S SHARE have announced the addition of vocalist Patrik Johansson (Astral Doors) into the group's ranks. Johansson and the rest of the current LION'S SHARE lineup -- which includes mainman Lars Chriss (guitar), and recent addition Sampo Axelsson (bass - ex-Glenn Hughes, Crawley) -- are currently writing material for a fifth album to be released sometime during 2006. The songs written so far are being described as "heavier and more straight-ahead with tons of energy and attitude." In a statement confirming his addition to the LION'S SHARE lineup, Johansson writes: "Lars Chriss called me up about two years ago, and asked if I was interested in joining LION'S SHARE. I felt honored, of course, and didn't need any second thoughts. LION'S SHARE is, for me, one of the institutions in the metal business. From that moment, me, Lars and now also Sampo, have been working with the songwriting for the next album. Now, finally, we have started the demo recordings, and the result so far is goddamn amazing! Some of you may know that I've done a couple of things the last two or three years: Space Odyssey, Wuthering Heights and Astral Doors. I want to make one thing perfectly clear: Space Odyssey and Wuthering Heights are like session jobs to me. My two main bands are ASTRAL DOORS and LION'S SHARE. Make no mistake about that! I hope, and truly believe, that this new mark in the great career of LION'S SHARE will appeal to the old fans and bring a lot of new ones as well. See you on the road!" An early incarnation of LION'S SHARE existed during the late eighties, releasing the rare single 'Ghost Town Queen.' However, 1993 saw founding members and songwriters Lars Chriss and Kay Backlund (keyboards) form a new version of LION'S SHARE by enlisting drummer Johan Koleberg, vocalist Andy Engberg (ex-Sorcerer) and bassist Andy Loos (ex-Glory). It wasn't long before that line-up of the band landed a deal with Japan's Zero Corporation Records and Germany's Long Island Records. In 1994, the band performed a few gigs, but spent most of their time rehearsing and recording their debut album. Early 1995 saw the release of LION'S SHARE's self-titled debut album, while the following year the band inked a worldwide deal with Century Media, who released the album "Two." After touring for the most part of 1996-1998, the Japanese release of the uncompromisingly riff-laden and melodic "Fall From Grace," sees the light of day in 1999. That year ends on a high note, as LION'S SHARE announce a new recording deal with Germany's Massacre Records, and embark on an extensive Scandinavian tour with DIO, MANOWAR and MOTORHEAD. The band's most recent full-length release was 2001's "Entrance."
[FREE MP3]

09.21.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Abacus Recordings have announced the signing of Southern California's STAVESACRE to a recording deal. Formed over 10 years ago, the band are currently in the studio with producer Matt Hyde (No Doubt, Slayer, Sum 41, etc.), where they are putting the final touches on their fifth full-length release, entitled "How To Live With A Curse," which is slated to be released in early 2006. "This is the hardest we've ever worked at crafting our songs," says STAVESACRE frontman Mark Salomon, whose lyrical prowess and powerful vocals often range from serene to passion and ferocious. "We're more comfortable with our musical identity than ever before," he added. STAVESACRE have long been considered by the Southern California music press and their ardent fans to be "the best band you've never heard of," due to the group's fervent underground following coupled with its technical songwriting, musicianship and prevailing live performances. Named after a rare and beautiful poisonous flower, STAVESACRE was birthed in 1995 by a collective of artists from the burgeoning Orange County music scene. The group formed with a shared vision for creating a band that would rise above the landscape du jour to communicate a greater concept of the perfect Rock album. The band's first three releases, "Friction" (1996), "Absolutes" (1997) and "Speakeasy" (1999) collectively SoundScanned over 90,000 records for Tooth & Nail Records. During that short 3-album run, "The Acre" -- as they are often referred to by loyal fans -- also garnered a solid domestic fan-base spanning from coast to coast as well as abroad in Rock-aware, soundboard countries such as Sweden and Germany. STAVESACRE joined forces with So Cal's Nitro Records in early 2002 to produce their self-titled fourth album, a breakthrough Rock tour de force for the band. Produced by Grammy award winner David Bianco (Danzig, Tom Petty, etc.), "Stavesacre" was sadly overlooked by the mainstream music press at the time of its release. STAVESACRE have also toured heavily since first forming, playing 100-150 shows a year in 48 states (including Hawaii and Alaska) and throughout Europe, with a stated commitment to delivering the best Rock performances possible every night they take the stage. Most recently, their touring resume has included a P.O.D. album release party, 30 dates with PROJECT 86 (Atlantic Records), and a stint on the 2002 Vans Warped Tour as well as a six-week club tour of their own. The fruit of their passion and labor is what can been argued to be one of the tightest live acts in contemporary Rock and Metal. Now with the backing of Abacus Recordings, the world at large will have the opportunity to experience the power and melodic beauty of the STAVESACRE sound, a unique hybrid born of an almost scientific appreciation of their musical influences ranging from BLACK SABBATH, QUICKSAND, FUGAZI and SMASHING PUMPKINS all the way to the likes of U2.
[LISTEN]

09.21.05 (RockAndMetal.com) STILL REMAINS are currently be criss-crossing the country, touring non-stop through October 31st. Playing two different tours, the band have started by headlining their first tour since the release of their debut album. The band tapped CURL UP AND DIE, UNDERMINDED and AIDEN as support bands for the first half of their tour of North America, which runs through October 6th in Spartanburg, SC, after which STILL REMAINS will be direct support for NORMA JEAN alongside both DARKEST HOUR and THE HANDSHAKE MURDERS from October 8th in Memphis, TN through October 23rd in St. Petersburg, FL. Afterwards, the band will flip-flop tours - playing two dates, and then meeting up with the other tour for two more dates. "We love to tour," says STILL REMAINS lead singer TJ Miller. "Down and dirty in our van, getting to know our fans is the only way for this band." The band are touring in support of their debut album, "Of Love and Lunacy," which debuted at No. 43 on Billboard's Top New Artist chart. In addition, the album soared to No. 1 at Metal & Specialty Radio, where it thrived for over two weeks. The album just recently became available in select Christian bookstores throughout the country, with hopes to expand it to a larger level as the band continues to develop in the burgeoning Christian Metalcore movement. Tour Dates: 09/21 Denver, CO [Rock Island] • 09/23 Lawrence, KS [Bottleneck] • 09/24 Goshen, IN [The Post] • 09/25 Grand Rapids, MI [Ten Bells Nightclub] • 09/26 Cleveland, OH [The Grog Shop] • 09/27 Buffalo, NY [The Icon] • 09/28 Wilkes-Barre, PA [Cafe Metropolis] • 09/29 Providence, RI [The Living Room] • 09/30 Danbury, CT [Empress Ballroom] • 10/01 Bound Brook, NJ [Hamilton St.] • 10/02 Farmingdale, NY [Downtown] • 10/03 Baltimore, MD [Ottobar] • 10/04 Springfield, VA [Jaxx] • 10/05 Greensboro, SC [Greene Street] • 10/06 Spartanburg, SC [Ground Zero] • 10/08 Memphis, TN [The Complex] • 10/09 Ft. Smith, AZ [BobbiSox] • 10/11 Oklahoma City, OK [The Green Door] • 10/12 Kansas City, MO [El Torreon] • 10/13 Omaha, NE [Sokol Hall] • 10/14 Iowa City, IA [Gabe's Oasis] • 10/15 Milwaukee, WI [Mad Planet] • 10/16 Indianapolis, IN [Emerson Theatre] • 10/18 Huntington, WV [Hyamp] • 10/19 Wilmington, NC [The Soapbox Laundrolounge] • 10/20 Columbia, SC [Headliner's @ Banana Joe's] • 10/21 Charleston, SC [Music Farm] • 10/22 Pensacola, FL [American Legion Hall] • 10/23 St. Petersburg, FL [State Theater] • 10/24 Orlando, FL [The Social] • 10/26 Ft. Lauderdale, FL [Revolution] • 10/27 Jacksonville, FL [Fuel] • 10/28 Madison, MS [Madison County Cultural Center] • 10/29 Birmingham, AL [Homewood Armory] • 10/30 Nashville, TN [Rocket Town]
[FREE MP3]

09.20.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Following a successful showcase at this year's South By Southwest Music Festival, FILM SCHOOL will release debut single 'On and On' in the UK through Beggars Banquet Records on September 26th, with their self-titled debut album following in January of 2006. The creative strategy behind FILM SCHOOL is that of collective writing and self-production. It's a process of experimenting with sounds, taking as much time as needed and getting the best outcome possible. It's a process that began when the band first worked together on the 2003 "Always Never" EP. On such early recordings, you can hear the rumblings of the sound that comes full-fledged on this new album. An infectious guitar haze glides effortlessly through the tracks with winding melodies wrapping around their legions of layered chords - at times a gentle atmospheric purr, then in sudden infectious bursts it builds to something powerful and angular. Drums veer from the softly brushed and sublimely rhythmic West Coast style to a pounding force directing the songs. The keyboards add a melodic diversity to the music that other straight guitar bands lack. It's the synth led sound that simultaneously recalls early eighties alternative bands like ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN, while delivering something unique and unequaled among their contemporaries. Regarding FILM SCHOOL's forthcoming full-length debut, 'On and On' -- the first track and single from the album -- is nothing short of hypnotic. It's a continuous ascending spiral both musically and vocally, while also remaining introverted, locked in it's own contained world. It's a darkly brooding, emotive track yet also somehow uplifting in it's passion. Reminiscent, not so much in sound, but in effect, to JOY DIVISION's 'Love Will Tear Us Apart': at once bleak and optimistic, intelligently self-contained yet soaring to atmospheric heights above and beyond the music itself. A song so powerfully emotive it should leave the listener low, but yet it exhilarates and inspires with every listen. 'Like You Know' is the softer side of FILM SCHOOL. Distorted, twisted sounding guitars take center stage, weaving in and out - as bewitching as something from MY BLOODY VALENTINE. Other tracks such as 'Harmed', 'Pitfalls' and 'Breet' show a jauntier side of the band. Faster, captivating pounding drum and guitar led tracks recalling some of the finest early eighties Alternative bands -- RIDE, THE STONE ROSES, CHAPTERHOUSE -- who, like FILM SCHOOL, could make infectious music that played with a Pop aesthetic, while still remaining layered, powerful and sophisticated. The immediate and unforgettable '11-11' offers a perfect verse-chorus-verse, evocative of THE CURE at the height of their classic songwriting period. Deliriously Pop while retaining an obvious edge and distinction, FILM SCHOOL's debut rocks, it's memorable, and yet it sounds somehow familiar. These qualities by themselves would be outstanding traits, but together they transcend Pop music into a place inhabited by very few bands: FILM SCHOOL have cultural resonance.
[LISTEN]

09.20.05 (RockAndMetal.com) California Metallers BLEED THE SKY will begin an extensive tour of the U.S. at the end of this week alongside MY RUIN on the Jagermeister "Double Shot Of Rock: Part II" tour, after which the band will take a break through most of November before heading over to Europe for the "Persistence" tour with HATEBREED, AGNOSTIC FRONT, NAPALM DEATH, BORN FROM PAIN and A PERFECT MURDER at the beginning of December. DRY KILL LOGIC and THE RED CHORD will also be performing on select dates on that tour. Hailing from the musical breeding ground of Orange County, BLEED THE SKY are six guys with one common goal: to create a new respect for Metal through lyrical depth, tangibility, and musicianship that has integrity. Formed in 2003, the band have already been cited in Spin Magazine as one of the 50 up-and-coming bands across the country, and have earned a reputation as a band who are bound to make their own mark in the music industry through hard work and a dedication to creating a new connotation for the Metal genre. Tour Dates: 09/23 West Hollywood, CA [Whisky A Go Go] • 09/26 El Paso, TX [Surges] • 09/27 Lubbock, TX [Space 1110] • 09/28 San Antonio, TX [Bonds 007] • 09/29 Harker Heights, TX [Hero's] • 09/30 Houma, LA [Brickhouse] • 10/01 Jacksonville, FL [Thee Imperial] • 10/03 Nashville, TN [The Exit/In] • 10/05 Knoxville, TN [Corner Lounge] • 10/06 Jonesboro, GA [Breaker's Music Hall] • 10/07 Wilmington, NC [Gracies 121] • 10/08 Fayetteville, NC [Jester's Pub] • 10/09 Hickory, NC [Hickory Undergroud] • 10/10 Winston-Salem, NC [Ziggys] • 10/12 Springfield, VA [Jaxx] • 10/13 Harrisburg, PA [Dragonfly] • 10/14 Reading, PA [The Silo] • 10/15 Brooklyn, NY [Brooklyn Music Terminal] • 10/16 Pittston, PA [Staircase] • 10/17 Asbury Park, NJ [Stone Pony] • 10/18 Chicopee, MA [Cabot Street Pub] • 10/19 Erie, PA [State Street Tavern] • 10/20 Akron, OH [The Voodoo] • 10/21 Rochester, NY [Steel Music Hall] • 10/22 Limestone, NY [Rock N' Rick's Flood Zone] • 10/23 Lakewood, OH [Hi-Fi Concert Club] • 10/25 Cincinnati, OH [Never On Sundays] • 10/26 Detroit, MI [I-Rock Nightclub] • 10/27 Frankfort, IL [Hoshis West] • 10/28 LaSalle, IL [9th St. Pub] • 10/29 Monmouth, IL [Rivoli Theatre] • 10/30 Dundee, IL [Clearwater Theatre] • 10/31 Sioux City, IA [Lewis Bowl - The Annex] • 11/01 Omaha, NE [Slammer's] • 11/02 Manhattan, KS [PJs] • 11/04 Oklahoma City, OK [Purgatory] • 12/01Wiesbaden, Germany [Schlachthof] • 12/02 London, UK [The Forum] • 12/03 Essen, Germany [Fun Box Amalie] • 12/04 Brussels, Belgium [Ancienne Belgique] • 12/05 Hamburg, Germany [Grosse Freiheit] • 12/06 Nuremburg, Germany [Lowensaal] • 12/07 Wien, Austria [Wien Arena] • 12/08 Stuttgart, Germany [LKA] • 12/09 Amsterdam, Holland [Paradiso] • 12/10 Dresden, Germany [Alter Schlachthof] • 12/12 Berlin, Germany [Huxleys]
[WATCH]

09.19.05 (RockAndMetal.com) THE DANDY WARHOLS have released their fifth album, "Odditorium Or Warlords Of Mars." A full U.S. tour to support the album will kick off in November, with confirmed dates to follow soon. The band performed lead single 'Smoke It' earlier this month on "Live With Regis And Kelly," with THE DANDY WARHOLS confirmed to be the musical guest on Fox's "Mad TV" in October. NME called the single "Bob Dylan joining forces with the Stones on a wacked-out trip down Route 66 with enough Jack Daniels to sink a ship." Named (at least partially) after the band's infamous Portland studio headquarters, "Odditorium Or Warlords Of Mars" finds the band venturing beyond the synthesized Pop/Rock of 2003's "Welcome To The Monkey House" into expansive new musical terrain, while frequently revisiting the stripped-down sound of their earlier years. "Odditorium Or Warlords Of Mars" was produced by frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor with longtime band collaborator Gregg Williams and mixed by Tchad Blake (Elvis Costello, Latin Playboys, the Bad Plus) and Taylor-Taylor. Opening with a tongue-in-cheek introduction from A&E host Bill Kurtis, "Odditorium Or Warlords Of Mars" is full of THE DANDY WARHOLS' trademark heady mix of seamless Rock hooks and sonic experimentalism, spanning turned-on drone Rock, Country, Blues, Electronic Pop and deep Psychedelia -- all spun through the band's kaleidoscopic musical palette. 'Love Is The New Feel Awful' is a psyched-out mini-symphony of squalling guitars, whispered harmonies, tribal drums and intercepted satellite transmissions, while 'The New Country' is, yes, a countrified stomper with dreamy layered vocals and a deep-space hootenanny full of banjos, harmonicas, picking and -- quite likely -- grinning. 'Down Like Disco' sets off in a CRAZY HORSE-worthy gale of unbridled electric guitars and peaks with a sun-soaked chorus and a twisted trail of feedback, while lead single 'Smoke It' is THE DANDY WARHOLS at their classic best -- part classic Brit rave-up, part VELVET UNDERGROUND comedown, part blacklight Psychedelia, part workman-like Country/Western, and yet all their own. The song's video, viewable below, features the band performing 'Smoke It' in Odditorium Studios for 40 visibly impressed dogs. Prior to their November U.S. tour, THE DANDY WARHOLS will be playing the following scheduled live dates in Europe: 10/08 Brussels, Belgium [Rock Ternat Festival] • 10/09 Berlin, Germany [Columbia Club] • 10/11 Trondheim, Norway [UKA-05] • 10/12 Oslo, Sweden [Rockefeller] • 10/15 Luxembourg City, Luxembourg [Den Atelier] • 10/16 Munchen, Germany [Muffathalle] • 10/17 Vienna, Austria [Arena] • 10/19 Zurich, Switzerland [Xtra] • 10/20 Koln, Germany [Prime Club] • 10/22 Dublin, Ireland [Ambassador] • 10/23 Glasgow, Scotland [Academy] • 10/25 Manchester, UK [Ritz] • 10/26 London, UK Hammersmith [Palais] • 10/27 Paris, France [Elysee] • 10/29 Amsterdam, Holland [Max]
[WATCH]

09.19.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Vocalist Henriette Bordvik has announced her departure from SIRENIA, the Norwegian Gothic Metal band featuring former TRISTANIA vocalist/guitarist Morten Veland. Her official statement on the matter reads as follows: "It's a difficult call, this one, but it has now come down to me leaving SIRENIA. Seeing how the band is working full-time on the new album - the new record deal and everything. There's a lot coming up, and as I'm not able to give Sirenia all the attention they need and sure as hell are worthy of at this very moment, we have come to the decision that it is for the best of the future of the band that we part ways. No hard feelings whatsoever, just due to a bit of musical differences and such. I don't think Sirenia is what really gives me the right spirit to keep going and give it all for the band. I wish them the best of luck in the future and on the next release(s), and would like to salute you all for your massive support!!" The rest of the group issued the following statement regarding Bordvik's departure from SIRENIA: "We in the orchestra would like to thank Henriette for the memorable years together, the accomplishments and all the great moments. We wish you all the best for the future. Set your sails, lil' sister. Rock on!!!" Earlier in the year, SIRENIA signed a new recording deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The band have released two successful albums to date (2002's "At Sixes And Sevens" and 2004's "An Elixir For Existence"), and late last year toured Europe with TIAMAT, PAIN and THEATRE OF TRAGEDY. Still sworn to the darker and atmospheric genre, Morten Veland resurfaced with SIRENIA with one goal in mind: to bring a fresh sound into the underground scene, playing a mixture of Gothic Metal and Rock with Classical influences, as well as Black and Death Metal elements. Their soundscapes have a solid basis in the powerful drums and bass that are arranged in a very dynamic and progressive way and supported by powerful rhythm guitars, dressed up with atmospheric keyboards and spiced with melancholic violins and 12-string guitars. The different vocals brought to life in SIRENIA are also many, with the band mixing growls, screams, female vocals, (3 different) clean male vocals, choirs, whispers and samples. The songs of SIRENIA are also very intense and the atmosphere changes frequently - the lyrics based mainly in reflections on life, death, love, hate, paranoia, anxiety, and mental decline in general. Live shows have also played an important role for SIRENIA, their main goal being mainly to present the songs as rich and detailled as they sound on the studio recordings - the band members using additional samples and sequencing to bring out a collective vision. There's already been a few line-up changes over the last couple of years with SIRENIA prior to the departure of Henriette Bordvik -- the last being in mid-2003 -- when drummer Jonathan Perez (Trail of Tears) joined the band as their latest reinforcement.
[LISTEN]

[Music News: 09.12.05 - 09.18.05]
[Top]