Tristania

Norway’s Tristania earned their stature among the foremost goth-metal acts worldwide by blending bold experimentation, exceptional musicianship, and a steady artistic vision across successive recordings. Formed in 1996, the group made the unusual choice of employing three contrasting vocalists to interpret their material: operatic soprano Vibeke Stene, clean-voiced counter-tenor Østen Bergøy, and Morten Veland, whose guttural black-metal delivery provided stark contrast. Veland also contributed guitar and wrote the bulk of the band’s richly orchestrated, symphonic goth-metal compositions, supported by lead guitarist Anders H. Hidle, keyboardist Einar Moen, bassist Rune Østerhus, and drummer Kenneth Olsson.

Their self-titled EP appeared in 1997, followed in rapid order by the full-length albums Widow’s Weeds in 1998 and Beyond the Veil in 1999, plus the Angina EP, all issued on Austria’s Napalm Records. These releases enjoyed strong success throughout Europe; Beyond the Veil, in particular, drew widespread critical acclaim, opened doors for extensive touring in North and South America, and established the band as a headline attraction. Veland’s subsequent exit to launch Sirenia presented a serious challenge, yet Tristania responded by recruiting vocalist Kjetil Ingebrigtsen and delivering the 2001 album World of Glass with renewed confidence. After an extended break during which members pursued various side projects, the band reassembled in 2004 to create Ashes, which Steamhammer/SPV released in January 2005.