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First, I want to take a moment to thank Sydney5 and MoonCrow for their invaluable intellectual prodding that started me researching the Artists and Culture this Column will be the continuing story of. I fact, this first installment will revolve around the 'Moon' and it's use as the subject of songs. I apologize in advance. Some of the Song "Links" will have to be copied and pasted into your address bar, as no amount of editing would seem to make them all work within the article. Trust me it's WORTH the time to do. this is Music that's Well-Crafted, Dramatic, and Compelling that most of you have never heard before, done by some very talented Musicians.
The first Band, we'll take a look at is Octavia Sperati.
Their 'MySpace' Page is found here: http://www.myspace.com/octaviasperati
Octavia Sperati, A Brief History Condensed From Their Own Words.
The Band was formed as a result of new friendships and common musical preferences and hails from Bergen, Norway. Octavia kicked off, early, playing several gigs and festivals in Norway. In between intensive rehearsing and multiple live acts, the band recorded and released their self-financed, five track demo 'Guilty' in 2002.
Early 2005, Debut Album 'Winter Enclosure' was finished after signing with Candlelight Records autumn 2004. Octavia also released the first video version of 'Lifelines of Depths' spring 2004. The album was released on May 9th, 2005. 'Winter Enclosure' was embraced by both the critics and audience. Octavia won flattering comparisons to the likes of Candlemass, The 3rd and the Mortal, & Black Sabbath, among others. Top UK hard rock magazine, Kerrang! described the album as 'Extravagant, dramatic doom with a rock 'n' roll heart.' Octavia made the "Top 10 Best Newcomer Acts, 2005" in the highly important Terrorizer magazine.
Two videos were recorded: 'Hunting Eye', along with a second version of 'Lifelines of Depths'. Both videos were directed by Asle Birkeland. Octavia started touring June 2005.
A few months into the new year of 2006, the band spent the spring finding a new drummer, as well as composing new material for the next Album.
Closing ranks with new Drummer, Ivar Alver, Octavia did a pre-production in Sandefjord, October 2006. Recordings for the album started shortly after. A video of 'Moonlit' was recorded early March.
The band hit the road again supporting Amon Amarth and Finntroll in UK and Ireland in April 2007, then held the launch party for the new album "Grace Submerged" in Bergen at Garage, after which, Stavanger, UK was once again visited, this time with legendary Fields of the Nephilim at Astoria, then with To-Mera at the Underworld. Back in Norway, Octavia played Screamfest and hit UK in December for a new headliner tour with Tom Erik and Jan Åge Svendsen (Temple Sleep) as stand ins for Trine and Ivar, both expecting children.
"Grace Submerged" received great reviews all over. Big Cheese 5/5 said: "The likes of 'Moonlit' have that droning, Gothic feel that will have fans almost breaking into a smile. 'And Then the World Froze' is the sound of a band destined for even bigger things. Classic Rock 7/10 added: "... So, leave it to us to say that the rendition of 'Don't Believe A Word' is beautiful...full of sparse piano, mournful strings, and sighing vocals...One can't help but feel that these Norwegian atmospheric "Doom Merchants" are on the cusp of something special".
Dr Dexter Says:
The first thing you realize about this Band, is that this mostly female Band, has tremendous power and range within this Genre. the Vocals are strong, the Drumming crisp, and the Instrumentation is done with much finesse...fearless and confident in their presentation.
Whether Melodic and 'Moody' or Angst-Ridden and Intimidating, this is a Band to be reckoned with. I have chosen TWO songs to showcase this band. The First, "Moonlit" is part of the underlying theme of the moon, in honor of Sydney5 & MoonCrow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNwhbX8L9Q0
The Second is "Lifelines Of Depths" which truly displays their virtuosity:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT-iGNLXLZ8&feature=related
Next I will introduce the Band: Sonata Arctica.
Band Site:http://www.sonataarctica.info
MySpace:http://www.myspace.com/sonataarctica
The History Of Sonata Arctica, Condensed From Their Own Words
Sonata Arctica was born in 1996 in the northern Finnish town of Kemi. The very first incarnation of the band was named Tricky Beans. As Tricky Beans, the group produced three demos.
After some personnel changes in 1997, the outfit changed their name to Tricky Means. Let it be known to the Metal community that initially the band experimented in musical styles far from heavy metal.
Turning the page in 1999, Tricky Means recorded a new demo "FullMoon" in Tico Tico Studios located in their hometown, Kemi. At the time of recording the line-up consisted of: Tony (vocals/keys), Jani (guitars), Tommy (drums), and Janne (bass). This new demo was the first exploration for the band in heavy metal waters. The band's trademark sound of fast, melodic, and keyboard oriented heavy metal with clear, high vocals was born. As fate would have it, and with help from Ahti Kortelainen of Tico Tico Studios, the "FullMoon" demo found its way to the premier metal label of Finland, Spinefarm. At the same time Tricky Means became Sonata Arctica.
While the band was working hard in different studios recording their fifth studio album "Unia" - Finnish for "Dreams" -, Finnish press announced an official Sonata Arctica documentary being in production. The documentary film will follow Sonata Arctica in their hometown Kemi and show how a Sonata Arctica song is being formed from the "scratch track" to the very end of the creative process. The documentary had its first public appearance during the annual music video festival of Oulu in September 2007. Meanwhile the documentary isn't the only non-musical work related to Sonata Arctica, since an official Sonata Arctica 3D role playing game for PC, called "Winterheart's Guild", is in the works.
The fifth studio album of Sonata Arctica is called "Unia". The album was released in May 2007. Before the release of the album a single entitled "Paid In Full" was released in Finland, Germany, and Japan. The single hit the #1 position in the official Finnish charts, moved to second place the following week, and stayed in the national top ten until "Unia" was released a month later!
During the same week the new single was released, the band played four gigs in the biggest rock clubs of Finland. The sizes of the venues varied from 700 to 2,300 people, and each night was sold out.
Sonata Arctica is confirmed to perform on a few selected festivals during the summer. In July the band travels to the Land of the rising Sun, and the Japanese audience will be the first foreigners to hear the new songs from the "Unia" album performed live. After the festival season, Sonata Arctica is ready for a four-show excursion to Mexico. These are the first Mexican shows ever! From Mexico, the band continues to the USA and Canada.
Returning to the continent, the Band begins its massive headlining tour starting from Stockholm, Sweden. During the European tour the band plays in thirteen different countries with their support act, the Netherlands-based Epica.
With four gold disc awards and multiple sold-out tours, Sonata Arctica has got its hands tightly attached to the history of Finnish Metal Music - and more will definitely be achieved in the future!
Dr Dexter Says:
This is a Band steeped in the Lore of the Epic History of the north, and in particular, Finland. They are Story-Tellers", adept at being almost as Mythological as their Finnish Heritage. These are "Gentleman Warriors" with Guitars and Drums instead of swords and shields. Their very existence has become a saga they continue to write. The Music is Loud and Heroic, yet full of "Heart". I have chosen to share "Full Moon", in honor of "Sydney5 & MoonCrow", and "Flag In The Ground" from their new Album "The Days Of Grays". Let the saga begin.
Here is the link to "Full Moon":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQghSEl0hHQ&feature=related
Here is the Link to "Paid In Full"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1zkXdqcajk&feature=fvw
Last, but not least, is the Band that was mentioned as an opening act, above: Epica.
Band Site: http://www.epica.nl/ MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/epica
The History Of Epica Condensed From Their Own Words.
Ever since EPICA emerged on the scene, the band has been caught in a whirlwind of studio recordings, interviews, screaming fans, world wide live performances and the rock 'n roll lifestyle. The loss of both a record company and a drummer in 2006 seemed to have stopped the band on their rise to the top. But all is not what it seems. EPICA is back with a mighty new album called 'The Divine Conspiracy', an exiting new chapter in the history of the band.
The Dutch female fronted Symphonic Metal Band EPICA was founded in 2002. Mark Jansen left "After Forever" to pursue his own dreams, finding that guitar player Ad Sluijter, bass player Yves Huts, and keyboard and piano player Coen Janssen, shared his vision. Drummer Jeroen Simons and singer Simone Simons completed the band. The band name is derived from an album of "Kamelot" of whom several band members are big fans, and musically, EPICA stands out by not only taking influences from the world of Rock and "Symphonic Metal", but also from film music as composed by the likes of Danny Elfman and Hans Zimmer.
Within a few months, EPICA had the material to record the stunning debut album 'The Phantom Agony'. The album was released worldwide in 2003, followed by a lengthy tour. EPICA's efforts were rewarded in 2004 with an Essent Award (an important Dutch award for talented young bands). While touring continued throughout the year, EPICA recorded and released their second full length album 'Consign To Oblivion' in 2005. The album made it to #12 in the Dutch charts and remained in the Top 100 for 7 weeks. This release also features a guest appearance by Kamelot front-man Roy Khan. With the creative juices flowing, that same year the album 'The Score: An Epic Journey' also saw the light of day. The album consists of the music EPICA wrote for the Dutch movie 'Joyride'. This album is marked by the absence of guitars, drums, or even vocals, and contains mainly instrumental symphonic songs. In 2006 the photo-sound book 'The Road To Paradiso' saw the light of day. It's a detailed description of the band's history in words and images, containing many pictures taken by band members, professional photographers, and hundreds of fans that contributed their best pictures and words. This book comes together with a unique bonus-CD that features unreleased songs, live material, and demo recordings.
The year that started on a high, ended in a low, when drummer Jeroen Simons decided to quit the band. But, it's not in the band's nature to be taken aback. After hundreds of shows in dozens of countries all over the world (including the US, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, most European countries, Israel, Tunisia…) this band had become a well-oiled metal machine.
In 2007 EPICA signed a new record deal with Nuclear Blast and the year saw the release of their third full length album 'The Divine Conspiracy'. "More" is the best word to define this album. More choirs, guitars, grunts, speed and songs. 'The Divine Conspiracy' is more guitar oriented-four guitar tracks recorded instead of the usual two. Thanks to the skills of talented "God Dethroned" drummer Ariën van Weesenbeek, EPICA was able to make faster and more complex songs. This new opus is more than 75 minutes long and is EPICA's first Concept Album. It deals with the theory that, as a test, God created all kinds of different religions and released those upon humanity to see if they would be able to find the true nature of them. The question is whether mankind can realize that all religions are basically the same. But there's more to it. The album also concludes the 'Embrace That Smothers' concept that could already be found on 'The Phantom Agony', but started on the After Forever-album 'Prison Of Desire'. It seems only fitting that the conclusion of the concept features a guest appearance by After Forever "grunter" Sander Gommans. The circle has closed, the journey continues…
Dr Dexter Says:
When the history above was written, it was before the release of their latest, and perhaps most finely crafted Opus, to date: "Design Your Universe". this album takes every aspect of Epica's immense musicality to whole new levels. It's Metal, it's Symphonic, and it flys from ethereal to rumbling thunder. This is a Band that will be seen rising to new heights as this Genre becomes more and more "Mainstream". Their a place in the heat for Heroic and Compelling, and Epica "brings it!" I have, again chosen to showcase this Band with two songs:
The first, also in honor of Sydney5 & MoonCrow, "Cry For The Moon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dys1_TuUmI4
The second is a more recent offering from a newer Album, "Illusive Consensus":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMbEX08hu2Y&feature=related
This is but the first installment of a continuing story. Next week will include "Lennon", Kivimetsän Druidi, and one or two surprises. this Movement includes Graphic, Illustrative, Fashion, and "Fine" Artists. It is moving into Cinema, Video, and even Television. It has created and is creating it's own Literature, it's own Mythology, and it's own very unique style.
The people of this Culture DO LOOK different, but here's the up side. they embrace a deep and abiding sense of Community, cooperating instead of competing, sharing rather than hoarding, they are a huge family of families from every Nation and Ethnicity who share an understanding. Death IS an eternal partner of Life. Rather than fear it, they co-exist with it, romanticize it, share a toast with it, and give it a place in the endless cycles of living. It's the 'High Drama' of their Art. It's the call of the Epic Hero, of Times of Warriors, and Creatures of Legend. They are everything in terms of belief, but from their own special point of view. They are the "Nation of Goth", they are "The Children of the Night".
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