Withem | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Origin | Oslo, Norway |
Genres | Progressive metal, power metal |
Years active | 2011−present |
Labels | Frontiers Records |
Members | Øyvind Voldmo Larsen Ketil Ronold Frank Nordeng Røe Ole Aleksander Wagenius Miguel Pereira |
Past members | Andreas Blomqvist |
Website | www |
Withem is a progressive metal band from Oslo, Norway. They have released two studio albums, and the current line-up only features original members.
Biography
editFounded in 2011 by Nils K. Rue, Thorstein Aaby, and Stian Kristoffersen. Pagan's Mind released their first album, Infinity Divine, that same year. The following album, Celestial Entrance, was released in 2002 and was a relatively big success even outside of Norway. A re-recorded version of Infinity Divine was released in 2004. Their third album, Enigmatic: Calling, was released in 2005 and debuted at number 15 on the Norwegian album charts.[1][2] Their most recent album, Heavenly Ecstasy, was released in 2011.
In February 2008, power metal band Power Quest announced that Pagan's Mind guitarist Jørn Viggo Lofstad will be providing guest instrumentation for the upcoming album Master of Illusion.
In 2008, Pagan's Mind toured with Sonata Arctica on their Unia tour.
In 2009, Pagan's Mind played ProgPower USA.
On March 2, 2011, Pagan's Mind announced Heavenly Ecstasy as the title of their forthcoming album. The band also released a new song called "Intermission" as a premiere for the online radio show "The Metal Madman".[3] The album was released on SPV/Steamhammer on May 20 in Germany, May 23 in other parts of Europe and in June in USA/Canada.
On August 11, 2014, Pagan's Mind launched a crowdfunding campaign to fund their next live release called Full Circle - Live At Center Stage, which ran till September 20 and was successfully funded by 163% through their Indiegogo campaign. On July 31, the release date of Full Circle - Live At Center Stage was announced to be on October 16, 2015 in a Blu-ray+2CD, DVD+2CD and 2LP+CD format through SPV Steamhammer GmbH.
Between 2014 and 2017, the band was inactive due to health issues from the members of the bands. They resumed their activities in late 2017, and started working on a new album.[4] On January 22, they announced that due to a family situation, K. Rue would not be featured on the three shows planned in March, and would be replaced by Ole Aleksander Wagenius from the band Withem; the band stated that K. Rue's situation would not interfere with his involvement in the upcoming album.[5]
Side-projects by band members
editIn November 28, 2016, it was announced that Nils K. Rue would play a character named The Prophet in the next Ayreon album The Source.[6]
On February 22, 2018, Northward, a hard rock project by Jørn Viggo Lofstad and singer Floor Jansen, was unveiled. The two created the project in 2007, writing an entire album worth of music in 2008 but being unable to record previously due to their busy schedules; they ultimately reunited in 2017 to finally record the album, which is expected in 2018. It will feature a duet between Jansen and her sister Irene.[7]
Influences
editTheir music is influenced by Stargate, especially the theatrical film. In an interview, frontman Nils K. Rue said: "I wouldn't say I like the TV series Stargate, because I never saw an entire episode of that. But I really like the film Stargate. Of course, I took some inspiration from that..."[8]
Band members
edit- Nils K. Rue – lead vocals (2000–present)
- Jørn Viggo Lofstad – guitar, backing vocals (2000–present)
- Steinar Krokmo – bass, backing vocals (2000–present)
- Ronny Tegner – keyboards (2000–present)
- Stian Kristoffersen – drums (2000–present)
Former members
edit- Thorstein Aaby – guitar (2000–2003; died 2007)
Live member
edit- Ole Aleksander Wagenius – vocals (2018)
Timeline
editDiscography
editStudio albums
edit- Infinity Divine (2000, re-recorded in 2004)
- Celestial Entrance (2002)
- Enigmatic: Calling (2005)
- God's Equation (2007)
- Heavenly Ecstasy (2011)
Live albums
edit- Live Equation (2009) (DVD)
- Full Circle: Live at Center Stage (2015) (Blu-Ray, DVD)
Videography
editDVD and video
edit- New World Order Live and Supremacy Our Kind Live (ProgPower USA VIII Concert DVD)
- God Equation Live 2009 (Promo/Concert Sale DVD)
Music videos
edit- "Through Osiris' Eyes" (Celestial Entrance)
- "Aegean Shores" (Celestial Entrance)
- "Enigmatic Mission" (Enigmatic: Calling)
- "Atomic Firelight" (God's Equation)
- "Intermission" (Heavenly Ecstasy)
References
edit- ^ MusicMight bio featuring the claim[permanent dead link]
- ^ Norwegiancharts.com listing for week of charting
- ^ "PAGAN'S MIND: Album Title Revealed; New Song Available For Streaming". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. 2 March 2011. Archived from the original on 10 March 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
- ^ "MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!". Pagan's Mind Facebook. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
- ^ "Nils is dealing with a family situation that makes it difficult for him to perform live shows with Pagan's Mind in the foreseeable future". Pagan's Mind Facebook. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
- ^ "Guest Musicians". New Ayreon Album. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Murphy, Bill, ProgPower USA VIII interview with Nils K. Rue, Part One Archived 2008-12-07 at the Wayback Machine
External links
edit