Susperia were formed in October 1998 by Tjodalv (Dimmu Borgir, Old Man's Child) and his long time friend Cyrus (Satyricon, Old Man's Child). When Tjodalv left Dimmu Borgir in March 1999 he started to concentrate fully on Susperia together with Cyrus. They had already written some material for for a band they named Seven Sins but because of copyright issues they had to change it. In August 1999 Tjodalv met up with Athera and showed him the music they had created so far. Athera really liked it, and soon became a part of the new band. Since the band was still in need of a second guitar player and a bass player Athera brought with him his friends Memnoch and Elvorn, who both played in his band. 

"Susperia is not a Satanic band but through their lyrics they tend to criticize and question the views and moral of Christianity. They do not believe in God, but they don't believe in Satan either. They highly believe in their music and in their individual selves."

UNLIMITED (2004) TABU

I always thought that Susperia was just another Norwegian black metal band. The guys uses pseudonyms such as Elvorn, Memnock and Cyrus, and they all have a past in more then their share of well known black metal acts as Dimmu Borgir, Old Man's Child and Satyricon. The music on their first 2 albums have been described as progressive black metal in most reviews I've read. So the surprise was good when I received this album for review- On 'Unlimited' these 5 Norwegians deliver tight, fast and well played thrash metal. The music reminds me a lot of the recent albums released by Testament, especially in the vocal department. That is not to say that Susperia in no form or shape are copying our American bay area friends. Because Susperia also blends in elements from almost every form of metal there is, be it classic heavy metal, death metal, black metal and/or progressive metal. But the basis for it all is solid power/thrash. The entire album is packed with quality and a band filled with self-conscious professionalism. They also dare to tamper into the more commercial aspects (if that is a valid term in such an extreme musical form). Just listen to "Devil May Care", with it's catchy chorus and the children's choir arrangements. If that is not a metal hit, then I don't know what is. I hope and think that this album will open some eyes (and ears) in the metal scene. I for one is not letting 'Unlimited' put of my CD player any time soon!

Killer tracks: Chemistry, Devil May Care, Home Sweet Hell