Susperia
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Susperia | |
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 Susperia performing in 2011 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Seven Sins (1998–2000) |
| Origin | Bærum, Norway |
| Genres | Thrash metal, black metal (early) |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Labels | Nuclear Blast, Tabu, Chrome Division, Candlelight |
| Members | Bernt Fjellestad Cyrus Elvorn Memnock Tjodalv |
| Website | susperia |
Susperia is a Norwegian thrash metal band formed in October 1998 by Tjodalv and Cyrus.[1] The band was originally named Seven Sins,[1] but since there was another band with that name they changed it to the title of the horror film Suspiria, changing the spelling to avoid a clash with Suspiria, a gothic rock band that also took its name from the film.
History
[edit]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,[1] 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). He was briefly an official member of the band before he left to fully concentrate on Dimmu Borgir. Mustis returned to the band in 2010, after being fired from 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.
In March 2009, it was reported that vocalist Athera (real name Pål Mathisen) had suffered a heart attack.[2] It was later confirmed that he had been rushed into hospital in Lørenskog, suffering from acute stomach pain and heavy bleeding. He was expected to remain hospitalised for some time.[3] It was later announced that he would undergo a triple bypass operation on 16 March 2009.[4]
Susperia joined Melodi Grand Prix in 2011, but lost before the semi-final.
Cyrus also played bass with Dimmu Borgir between 2010 and 2018,[5][6] having previously filled in on lead guitar in 2008.[7]
In 2015, founding vocalist Athera left the band.[8]
Musical style
[edit]On their early albums, the band experimented with a mixture of black and thrash metal. Testament, one of the members' favorite bands,[9] was a major influence, and by the time the album Unlimited was released, the black metal elements had disappeared. Instead, the band gave more space to influences from heavy metal. Today, Susperia are generally regarded as a melodic thrash metal band.
The lyrics written by singer Athera are personal and either purely fictional or autobiographical. Politics and religion are not dealt with, nor are certain concepts. Athera uses both guttural and clean vocals.
Susperia is not a Satanic band, though their lyrics tend to criticise and question the views and morals of Christianity.[10][11]
Band members
[edit]
Current members
- Terje "Cyrus" Andersen – guitars (1998–present)
- Christian "Elvorn" Hagen – guitars (1998–present)
- Ian Kenneth "Tjodalv" Åkesson – drums (1998–present)
Former members
- Håkon "Memnock" Didriksen – bass (1998–2019)
- Pål "Athera" Mathiesen – vocals (1998–2015; touring musician: 2019)
- Øyvind Johan "Mustis" Mustaparta – keyboards (1998–2000; touring musician: 2010–2011)
- Bernt "Dagon" Fjellstad – vocals (2015–2019; touring musician: 2009, 2014–2015)
Live musicians
- Lars "Tristhan" Fredriksen – bass (2019)
Timeline
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]- Predominance (2001)
- Vindication (2002)
- Unlimited (2004)
- Cut from Stone (2007)
- Attitude (2009)
- The Lyricist (2018)
EPs/singles
[edit]- Devil May Care (2005)
- Nothing Remains (single, 2011)
- We Are the Ones (2011)
Demos
[edit]- Illusions of Evil (2000)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Allmusic Biography
- ^ "SUSPERIA Vocalist Suffers Heart Attack". Blabbermouth.net. 10 March 2009. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
- ^ "Susperia Frontman Suffers Heart Attack". idiomag. 11 March 2009. Retrieved 11 March 2009.
- ^ "SUSPERIA: Athera Will Undergo A Triple Bypass Operation". idiomag. 16 March 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2009.
- ^ Karagiannidis, Panagiotis (3 April 2018). "Singer: Dimmu Borgir Will 'Never' Consist Of More Than Three Members Again – Metalpaths.com". Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ Munro, Scott (29 May 2018). "Dimmu Borgir bring in bassist Victor Brandt". louder. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ BraveWords. "SUSPERIA Guitarist Cyrus Joins DIMMU BORGIR For North American Tour; Work To Continue On Band's New Studio Album". bravewords.com. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ "Singer ATHERA Quits SUSPERIA; Band Vows To Carry On With New Vocalist". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ "Susperia - interview". metal.de (in German). 5 June 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ "Susperia Interview". fourteeng.net. 29 September 2007. Archived from the original on 7 August 2008. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
- ^ "Interviews: Susperia". Live-Metal.net. 18 November 2007. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
External links
[edit]
- Official website (archived)
- Susperia at AllMusic
- BNR Metal Pages -- Susperia
- Susperia interview (German and English)
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