Sirenia is a gothic metal band from Stavanger, Norway which incorporates a mixture of gothic metal and symphonic metal, as well as extreme metal and death metal elements. The lyrics, written by Morten Veland, tell a loose conceptual story that began at Widow's Weeds, while he was still a member of Tristania.

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

Sirenia came together in early 2001, when Morten parted ways with his former band Tristania due to musical disagreements and personal differences. The band failed to find a suitable singer prior to recording in France, so they conducted auditions and found Fabienne Gondamin for the recording of their debut album At Sixes and Sevens.

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".

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

On April 9th, 2008, Sirenia announced Spanish X Factor contestant Ailyn as their new female vocalist.

On May 19th, 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 12th, 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 new 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.

Discography

Albums

    At Sixes and Sevens (2002)
An Elixir for Existence (2004)
Nine Destinies and a Downfall (2007)
The 13th Floor (2009)

EPs

Sirenian Shores (2004)

Singles & Promo Singles

My Mind's Eye (2007)
The Path To Decay (2009)

Music videos

My Mind's Eye (2007)
The Other Side (2008)
The Path To Decay (2009)

Members

Session Member (Live): Roland Navratil - Drums (European Tour 2004-2005, 2009-Present)

Former members

Hans Henrik Varland - Live Keyboards (2001-2003)

Kristian Gundersen - Live Guitar (2001-2004), Clean Vocals on "At Sixes and Sevens (2002)" & "An Elixir for Existence (2004)"

Bjørnar Landa - Live Guitar (2004-2008)

Fabienne Gondamin - Female Vocals (2001-2002), Vocals on "At Sixes and Sevens (2002)"

Henriette Bordvik - Female Vocals (2002-2005), Vocals on "An Elixir for Existence (2004)" & "Sirenian Shores (2004)"

Monika Pedersen - Female Vocals (2006-2007), Vocals on "Nine Destinies and a Downfall (2007)"

Kristian Olav Torp - Live Bass (2008)

Session Members

Jan Kenneth Barkved - Clean Vocals on "At Sixes and Sevens (2002)" & "The 13th Floor (2009)"

Pete Johansen - Violin on "At Sixes and Sevens (2002)"

Anne Verdot - Violin on "An Elixir for Existence (2004)"

Stephanie Valentin - Violin on "The 13th Floor (2009)"

Damien Surian, Emilie Lesbros, Johanna Giraud, Hubert Piazzola - Choir on "At Sixes and Sevens (2002)"

Damien Surian, Mathieu Landry, Emmanuelle Zoldan, Sandrine Gouttebel, Emilie Lesbros - Choir on "An Elixir for Existence (2004)"

Damien Surian, Mathieu Landry, Emmanuelle Zoldan, Sandrine Gouttebel - Choir on "Nine Destinies and a Downfall (2007)"

Damien Surian, Mathieu Landry, Emmanuelle Zoldan, Sandrine Gouttebel, Emilie Lesbros - Choir on "The 13th Floor (2009)"