Midnattsol
| Midnattsol | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany |
| Genres | Gothic metal with influences of folk metal and power metal |
| Years active | 2002-present |
| Labels | Napalm |
| Associated acts | Savn, Ahab, Leaves' Eyes |
| Members |
Carmen Elise Espenæs Birgit Öllbrunner Alex Kautz Matthias Schuler Daniel Fischer Chris Merzinsky |
| Past members |
Christian Fütterer Christian Hector Fabian "Fabz" Pospiech |
Midnattsol are a gothic/folk metal band from Germany, with Norwegian vocalist. The band was founded in 2002 by Norwegian vocalist Carmen Elise Espenæs and German guitarist Christian Hector.
History
In 2002, singer Carmen Elise Espenæs and guitarist Christian Hector founded the German symphonic metal band Midnattsol; their intention was to start working on this project once they found like-minded musicians to join their band. The new members were then identified in Chris Merzinsky (former drummer for Penetralia), Daniel Fischer (keyboard player), and later on Daniel Droste (guitarist) and Birgit Öllbrunner (bassist).
Their sound is essentially symphonic metal with influences of folk metal and power metal. The band prefers to call their style "Nordic folk metal" because of the folk elements in their music and occasional Norwegian lyrics.[1] Their lyrics are largely based on Norwegian folk tales. Their first full-length album, Where Twilight Dwells, was released in 2005; their next album, Nordlys, was released on March 28, 2008.[2]
Midnattsol means midnight sun in Norwegian (even though the phenomena is actually spelled midnattssol and not midnattsol).
Guitarists Daniel Droste and Christian Hector recently joined forces with Stephan Adolph to form Ahab, a German funeral doom metal band.[3]
Chris Merzinsky and Birgit Öllbrunner are also playing in the band R:I:P.
Carmen Elise Espenæs is the younger sister of Liv Kristine, former vocalist of Theatre of Tragedy and Leaves' Eyes.[4]
On July 10, 2009, Midnattsol announced guitarist Fabian "Fabz" Pospiech had left the band to concentrate on his family.[5]
The band won the "Best Hope" award at the Metal Female Voices Fest 2009 due to the majority of votes by the fans.
In spring 2010 they announced their return to the studio to record Midnattsol's third album from May to about July 2010. They've been keeping their fans up to date via studio reports on YouTube posted on their official Twitter[6] In November 2010, they announced the title of the new album, The Metamorphosis Melody. In December 2010 they announced that the album would be released on the 22nd of April 2011. They also announced the departure of guitarist Daniel Droste. In 2013 it was announced that Carmen with The Sins of Thy Beloved members Anders Thue and Stig Johansen formed the band called Savn.[7]
Members
Current line-up
- Carmen Elise Espenæs – vocals (since 2002)
- Birgit Öllbrunner – bass (since 2002)
- Alex Kautz – guitars (since 2009)
- Matthias Schuler – guitars (since 2011)
- Daniel Fischer – keyboards (since 2002)
- Chris Merzinsky – drums (since 2002)
Former members
- Christian Fütterer – guitars (2002)
- Christian Hector – guitars (2002–2008)
- Fabian "Fabz" Pospiech – guitars (2008–2009)
- Daniel Droste – guitars (2003–2010)
Discography
- Demo albums
- Midnattsol (2003)
- Studio albums
- Where Twilight Dwells (2005)
- Nordlys (2008)
- The Metamorphosis Melody (2011)