Origin year: 1996
Years active: 1996 - 2022
Origin place: Stavanger, Norway
Genre: Gothic Metal
Members
Last lineup:
Mariangela Demurtas - Vocals (Female) (2007 - 2022)
Kjetil Nordhus - Vocals (Clean male) (2010 - 2022) (Live only 2009)
Anders Høyvik Hidle - Lead Guitar (1996 - 2022), Harsh Vocals (Growlings) (2006 - 2022)
Gyri Smørdal Losnegaard - Rhythm Guitar (2009 - 2022) (Live only 2008)
Ole Vistnes - Bass, Backing Vocals (2008 - 2022) (Live only 2007)
Tarald Lie Jr. - Drums (2010 - 2022) (Live only 2005 - 2009)
Einar Moen - Synthesizer (1996 - 2022) (Studio only 2010 - 2022)
Past members:
Kenneth Olsson - Drums, Backing Vocals (1996 - 2010)
Østen Bergøy - Vocals (Clean male) (2001 - 2010)
Rune Østerhus - Bass (1996 - 2009)
Svein Terje Solvang - Rhythm Guitar, Harsh Vocals (2005 - 2008) (Live only 2004)
Vibeke Stene - Vocals (Female) (1997 - 2007)
Kjetil Ingebrethsen - Harsh Vocals, Acoustic Guitar (2001 - 2005)
Morten Veland - Rhythm Guitar, Growlings (1996 - 2000)
Live only members:
Pete Johansen - violin (2010 - 2011)
Jonathan A. Perez - drums (2005 - 2006, 2010)
Kjell Rune Hagen - bass (2005 - 2008)
Early Days / 1996
Tristania was founded in 1996, by Einar Moen (synth & programming), Kenneth Olsson (drums) and former singer/guitarist Morten Veland. Moen and Veland decided to leave the band Uzi Suicide, which they were a part of. They managed to get Olsson to join them in their new band, Tristania. Shortly after, Rune Østerhus (bass) and Anders H. Hidle (guitar) joined the band.
Tristania - Demo / 1997
In May 1997 the band entered the studio for the first time and recorded their demo in Klepp Lydstudio. In the meantime, Vibeke Stene had been recruited. She was supposed to contribute on the demo as a session musician, but the rest of the band were convinced on that her voice matched the band perfectly, and she became the 6th member. During the summer of 97 the demo was distributed to different labels, and Napalm Records came up with the best offer. Tristania's first release on Napalm was the MCD named Tristania, which was the demo, but with a new mix and artwork.
Widow's Weeds / 1998
Inspired by good reviews for the MCD all over Europe, the band was eager to record the debut album. After some months, Moen and Veland had the songs ready. Before the end of 97, their first full-length album Widow's Weeds was recorded and released in the beginning of 1998. Widow's Weeds is a symphonic metal album with elements from different genres, such as gothic rock, death metal, classical music and black metal. Essential for the album were 2 session musicians, which both have been important on the bands later albums. Østen Bergøy (Morendoes), who later become a regular member of the band, contributed with clean male vocals on the song Angellore. Violins were plaid by Pete Johansen (The Scarr), who also has been contributing on the later albums of Tristania.
After doing their first live shows outside of Norway as a support act for Lacrimosa in Belgium and on the Mind Over Matter Festival in Austria during the summer of 98, Tristania went on their first European tour in the autumn same year, together with Solefald and Haggard.
Beyond The Veil / 1999 - 2000
In 1999, the 2nd full-length album, Beyond The Veil, was released. The songs on the album are built around the same elements as the previous one, but all in all the album is a bit more extreme, compared to Widow's Weeds. Moen/Veland were still writing most of the music, but Moen and Hidle also composed a couple of the tracks together this time. Østen Bergøy and Pete Johansen were once again contributing on a Tristania album, in addition to yet another singer; Jan Kenneth Barkved (Elusive). The band followed up the album with their first headlining tour, together with The Sins Of Thy Beloved, Trail of Tears and Antichrisis as support acts. 1999 was also the year for Tristania to appear at the Wacken Festival, and joining Tiamat on the Skeleton Skeletron Tour together with Anathema.
In 2000, Tristania continued the extensive touring, and went on a new European headliner tour, in addition to several of the European summer festivals. 2000 was also the year that the band got their first opportunities to tour outside of Europe, with festival shows in Mexico in August and the US in November. In the end of 2000, Veland and the rest of the band decided to go on separate ways, due to musical and social differences.
World Of Glass / 2001 - 2004
The band was eager to go on with the composing, and Moen and Hidle continued to work on their new song material for the 3rd album, World of Glass. The album was recorded in Sound Suite Studio, France during the spring of 2001. Since the replacement for Veland wasn't ready yet, Ronny Thorsen (Trail of Tears) contributed on the extreme vocals, while Bergøy and Barkved contributed with clean vocals. Pete Johansen did the violins for his 3rd time on a Tristania release.
After returning to Norway, Kjetil Ingebrethsen (Blindfolded) joined the band as a replacement for Veland. At the same time it was a natural thing that also Østen Bergøy became a regular member of the band, after participating at all the 3 full-length albums. He had become more and more important as a singer, and on World of Glass also as a lyricist.
World of Glass was released in September 2001, and the album represents the natural next step for the band, after Widow's Weeds and Beyond The Veil, and the band managed both to keep the "tristanian" sound and the basic elements in the music, as well as to have development and natural progress. The musical diversity that always has been important for the band became even clearer with World of Glass. This album also included the first ever cover-version recorded by Tristania, called The Modern End, originally recorded by the legendary Norwegian band Seigmen.
Just days after the album was released, the band started the World of Glass Tour in Europe, supported by Rotting Christ, Vintersorg and country-mates Madder Mortem. The touring continued in 2002, with more European gigs as well as shows in Mexico, Chile, Brazil and Columbia.
Ashes / 2005 - 2006
Illumination / 2007 - 2009
Rubicon / 2010 - 2012
Twelve years after their acclaimed debut and three years following their previous release, Norwegian gothic metal pioneers Tristania are back with their long awaited sixth studio album “Rubicon”.
True to tradition, progress and diversity have been paramount in the creative process. With “Rubicon”, Tristania once again explore musical boundaries, playing with new and familiar elements and trifling with genres. The album consolidates an array of grand arrangements, sombre moods, and elaborate harmonies blended with upbeat ear-candy and outstanding vocal performances. While pushing forward, “Rubicon” is still permeated by the gothic sound that has always served as the foundation to Tristania’s music, and is the trademark of all their releases.
The Tristania of the present is a slightly different beast. Since 2007’s “Illumination”, the band has undergone various changes in line-up. In October 2007, the band proudly announced their newly recruited singer, hailing from Sardinia, Mariangela Demurtas (Reel Fiction). Demurtas’ great vocal abilities added more power to the Tristania sound, making it possible to take the music in new directions—as emphatically manifested on the new album.
As other commitments gradually put a strain on former members’ dedication to the band, Tristania recognized the benefits associated with renewing the lineup with members who could commit on a more permanent basis. A second strong addition came with bass player Ole Vistnes (Zerozonic), who went from partaking as a session musician to becoming a permanent member in early 2008. Vistnes has proven to be a considerable creative force in the band and is now one of the main songwriters.
In 2009, Gyri S. Losnegaard (Octavia Sperati) took on the role of second guitarist. It soon became evident that session drummer Tarald Lie (Diabla) would follow Vistnes’ example. Finally, after lead singer Østens Bergøy’s parental responsibilities became incompatible with future musical endeavors, the band decided to ask long-time friend and vocalist Kjetil Nordhus (Trail of Tears, Green Carnation) to join the ranks permanently. Nordhus is a worthy choice able to match Bergøy’s characteristic vocal style.
In their present form, Tristania still makes use of the distinct male/female vocal duels with Demurtas and Nordhus. The band has always taken pride in elaborated vocal harmonies, and the shared vocal competence among singers, both lead and back-up, is one of the band’s most prominent features.
“Rubicon” was recorded during the first months of 2010 in different studios in Norway. This time around, the band was heavily involved in all aspects of the process, as the main part of the production rested in the hands of band members Anders Hidle and Ole Vistnes. Waldemar Sorychta, who produced “Illumination” and also contributed on the pre-production of “Rubicon” continues to play an important role as co-producer. Sorychta is also responsible for mixing the record together with Dennis Koehne in Flying Pigs Studio.
Like the earlier releases, “Rubicon” welcomes a range of guest musicians; the most notable contributions coming from Østen Bergøy on vocals and a re-encounter with the fantastic violin performances of Pete Johansen. With the new record, Tristania has also revived another past collaboration by reuniting with their former record label Napalm Records.
With a solid product on hand and a strong line-up, Tristania re-emerges with new confidence and vitality. Following the album’s release, the band plans to promote the new record extensively—beginning with the “Rubicon Tour 2010” in October that will take them to 9 European countries in 16 days.
Darkest White / 2013
Darkest White is the much anticipated 7th studio album of Norwegian gothic metal pioneers Tristania. Met with great critical acclaim, the album has been described as the band’s perhaps “most focused album to date”, while the band’s experimentation and unwillingness to follow trends make them “one of the edgiest and most interesting bands in the scene”.
With Darkest White, Tristania ventures into a considerably darker soundscape than on their previous album Rubicon, both musically and lyrically. The emotional span of the album is bigger, ranging from the most brutal primal aggression to the most fragile and poignant moments. The album features an array of grand arrangements, doomy moods, and elaborate harmonies blended with intense growling; a flamboyant display of outstanding vocal performances. As always, progress, innovation and diversity have been paramount in the creative process, a phase of writing and pre-production spanning the last two years. The band keeps exploring musical boundaries, playing with new and familiar elements and flirting with genres. While pushing forward, taking bold sonic left and right turns, Darkest White is still permeated by the familiar somber sound that has always served as the foundation to Tristania’s music, and is the trademark of all their releases.
Darkest White is produced by Christer André Cederberg, and was recorded during January and February of 2013 in different studios in Norway. Cederberg’s goal with the album was to dig out the potential in each band member, aiming for a vibe recreating the live energy of the band; a heavier, more organic, more detailed and refined, but also dirtier and more extreme sound than on previous releases by the band. Mission completed.
Since its inception in the mid nineties, the band has been continually evolving, from one album to the next. The Tristania of the present is thus a slightly different beast than the one figureheaded by operatic Vibeke Stene in the early years. Since 2007’s Illumination, Tristania has undergone various changes in line-up, leading up to the solid foundation of today. In October 2007, the band proudly announced their newly recruited singer Mariangela Demurtas (Reel Fiction), hailing from Sardinia. Her great vocal abilities added more energy, vitality and power to the Tristania sound, making it possible to take the music in new directions – as emphatically manifested on the Rubicon and Darkest White releases. A second strong addition came with bass player Ole Vistnes (Zerozonic), who went from partaking as a session musician to becoming a permanent member in early 2008. Vistnes has proven to be a considerable creative force in the band and is now one of the main songwriters. In 2009, Gyri Smørdal Losnegaard (Octavia Sperati) took on the role of second guitarist. Tarald Lie Jr. (Diabla) – session drummer since 2005 – followed Vistnes’ example soon after. Finally, long-time friend and vocalist Kjetil Nordhus (Trail of Tears, Green Carnation) joined the ranks and completed the lineup. Nordhus’ unique versatile vocal abilities solidly semented the expression that constitutes the highly recognizable sound of Tristania.
The present line-up is a solidified, confident and highly ambitious unit, ready for extensive touring promoting the very strong release on their hands.
Press statements and announcements
Biographies of Early Days, Tristania - Demo, Widow's Weeds, Beyond The Veil, World Of Glass, Rubicon and Darkest White are taken from band's website, while the ones of Ashes and Illumination are taken from Wikipedia.