Sirenia came together in Norway in early 2001, following a split with Tristania. Although his contributions as the main songwriter for his former band had been a deciding factor in developing their sound and identity, Morten Veland parted ways with his former colleagues, citing musical disagreements and personal differences. He quickly re-established contact with Napalm Records, as well as with producer, Terje Refsnes. He also recruited band mate Kristian Gundersen, a close friend and an eminent musician, who shares Veland’s musical inclinations, and Hans Henrik Varland to take over the keyboard responsibilities.

AN ELIXIR FOR EXISTENCE (2004) NAPALM

Bands within the goth metal area have never been my favorites. But this album have made me make an exception. Sirenia is not your average goth band. They bring in so many different elements, and creates new musical atmospheres in almost all of their songs. You get bombastic choirs, beautiful female voices, growling death metal vocals. You get 12-string acoustic guitars and violins, side by side with the crushing metal riffs. It all boils down to a homogeneous mixture the band have dubbed 'An Elixir For Existence'. The more I listen to this album, the more I love it! The music weaves me into this intriguing musical landscapes, painted on a canvas of steel. It is all very well written, and the production does the music justice too. This album is their second one, but I doubt it will be their last.

Killer tracks: Lithium And Lover, Voices Within, Euphoria, In My Darkest Hour, The Fall Within