Exit Eden

Exit Eden emerged as an all-female supergroup in the symphonic metal field, applying metallic intensity to pop material originally recorded by Rihanna, Madonna, Adele, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and the Backstreet Boys. The band amplified these tracks through aggressive riffs, operatic singing, piercing guitar solos, and layered orchestral elements. The project originated with German producers Hardy Krech, Mark Nissen, and Hannes Braun, who formed the in-house production team at Elephant Studios in the northern town of Flensburg near the Danish border. Their earlier credits with Oonagh, Santiano, DJ Ötzi, Faun, Heino, and Beyond the Black had all reached the charts. Their objective centered on showing that mainstream pop songs could be convincingly reworked in a metal style. After laying down experimental demos, they recruited power metal veteran and producer Sascha Paeth to perform the guitar parts. Paeth contacted his former Avantasia and Trillium bandmate Amanda Somerville, who immediately agreed to take part. She then invited Brazilian vocalist Marina La Torraca of Phantom Elite and French singer Clémentine Delauney of Visions of Atlantis to join the sessions at Elephant Studios. The final member, German-American Anna Brunner, had previously supplied only guide vocals for studio demos while working as Elephant’s secretary; Somerville heard those recordings, was impressed, and insisted Brunner join the group. The label approved the project, leading to the full album Rhapsodies in Black, issued in August 2017 on Napalm Records and consisting entirely of cover versions. Session musicians completed the lineup, and Epica singer Simone Simons appeared on two tracks. The songs translated effectively into metal anthems that recalled the more pop-oriented end of symphonic metal represented by Within Temptation, while the four distinct voices supplied an additional layer of character. Lavish music videos featuring the singers in ornate gothic costumes supported an extensive promotional campaign, and the release performed strongly, entering the German chart at number 15.