Sirenia (band)

Updated on Nov 10, 2023

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Origin Stavanger, Norway Website sirenia.no		Years active 2001–present

Associated acts Artifact, Tristania, Sinphonia, Trail of Tears Past members Fabienne Gondamin Henriette Bordvik Kristian Gundersen Monika Pedersen Bjørnar Landa Michael S. Krumins Ailyn Members Morten Veland, Emmanuelle Zoldan, Jonathan Pérez Record labels Nuclear Blast, Napalm Records Genres Death-doom (early), Gothic metal, Symphonic metal Albums Perils of the Deep Blue, The Seventh Life Path, The Enigma of Life, The 13th Floor, Nine Destinies and a Do Profiles Facebook YouTube Twitter Myspace

Sirenia is a Norwegian gothic/symphonic metal band from Stavanger, Norway.

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

Due to musical disagreements and personal differences Morten Veland departed from Tristania in January 2001.

2001–2003: At Sixes and Sevens

Sirenia (band) SIRENIA Nuclear Blast USA

A few weeks went by when Veland had a new band along with three other members. 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.

2004–2006: An Elixir for Existence

Sirenia (band) New Music Review Sirenia Perils of the Deep Blue CD Album

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 Records in May 2005.

In November 2005, Henriette Bordvik left the band, citing personal reasons.

2006–2007: Nine Destinies and a Downfall

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 over musical disagreements. Her departure caused Sirenia to pull out of a planned European tour with Therion.

2008–2009: The 13th Floor

Sirenia began looking for a new singer in November 2007. 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. On April 9, 2008, Sirenia announced Spanish X Factor contestant Ailyn as their new female vocalist.

On May 19, 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 12, 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 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.

2010–2011: The Enigma of Life

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. The release date is 21 January 2011.

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

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.

2012–2013: Perils of the Deep Blue

On October 16, 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.

On April 13, 2013, the band announced the title of their album on their Facebook page: Perils of the Deep Blue.

2014–2016: The Seventh Life Path, Ailyn's departure

The band announced they had returned to Napalm Records on April 3, 2014 with a pending album release for early 2015. On February 10, 2015 Sirenia announced the title of their next record called The Seventh Life Path. In March 12, 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.

On July 5, 2016 Sirenia announced that after 8 years they were parting ways with Ailyn, but that the work with the upcoming album will proceed as normal. The same day, Ailyn stated on her Facebook that she did not make the decision, this sparked controversy among fans when similar events happened to fellow Norwegian/German viking metal band Leaves' Eyes and singer Liv Kristine who was dismissed from the band three months prior.

2016–present: Dim Days of Dolor, new singer

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

On September 8, 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. She has contributed to lead vocals before on the Sirenian Shores EP cover of First We Take Manhattan by Leonard Cohen.

Extended plays

Sirenian Shores (2004)

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)

Music videos

My Mind's Eye

The Other Side

The Path to Decay

The End of It All

Seven Widows Weep

Once My Light

Dim Days of Dolor

Current members

Morten Veland – guitars, harsh vocals, other instruments on studio (2001–present)

Emmanuelle Zoldan – female vocals (2016–present), choir on studio (2003–present)

Former members

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

Jonathan A. Perez – drums (2003–present)

Jan Erik Soltvedt – guitars (2011–present)

Former live members

Bjørnar Landa – guitars (2004–2008)

Kristian Olav Torp – bass (2008)

Roland Navratil – drums (2004–2005, 2009)

The Sirenian Choir

Damien Surian – choir on studio (2001–present)

Mathieu Landry – choir on studio (2003–present)

Emilie Bernou – choir on studio (2012–present)

Former Sirienian Choir members

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

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)

Joakim Næss – clean vocals (2012–2014)

Songs

The Path to DecayThe 13th Floor · 2009
The Other SideNine Destinies and a Downfall · 2007
Seven Widows WeepPerils of the Deep Blue · 2013

References

Sirenia (band) Wikipedia

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