Amberian Dawn

Amberian Dawn is a Finnish metal band which combines bravely many different kinds of styles in their music with high skilled playing. During their existence, Amberian Dawn has honed their trademark sound with expert precision, making highly polished albums of symphonic metal that are sure to be heralded as future classics by fans of the genre.

Amberian Dawn is musically lead by keyboardist/guitarist Tuomas Seppälä, who exclusively composes all music for AD. Vocalist Heidi Parviainen adds the finishing touch to the songs with her lyrics.

The story of AD began in the summer 2006 when the founder members, Tuomas Seppälä and Tommi Kuri decided to put together a new band when their former band Virtuocity was disbanding. Tuomas and Tommi recruited Virtuocity drummer Heikki Saari (Norther, Force Majeure, Tuoni), keyboardist Tom Sagar, and guitarist Sampo Seppälä to join the new band. After a fairly short search they found the classical soprano Heidi Parviainen (Iconofear) who turned out to be a perfect match - not only can she sing, she can also write intriguing lyrics and performs her craft effortlessly both on the stage in the studio. Amberian Dawn was finally born! After a while Sampo Seppälä (guitar) decided to leave the band due to personal reasons. His replacement came in the shape of the powerful guitarist Kasperi Heikkinen (Iconofear, Merging Flare , Guardians of Mankind, Elenium) and the band grew even stronger. Heikki Saari moved soon to Norther and his replacement was another young crazy drummer Joonas Pykälä-Aho (Thaurorod& Lathspell).

This first lineup recorded the debut album “River of Tuoni” which was released in Europe and parts of Asia in 2008. River of Tuoni Tour took Amberian Dawn on the road with a Dutch symphonic metal band Epica and together they treated their European fans with 22 shows in 8 countries across Europe.

The year 2009 sees the release of AD's second masterpiece "The Clouds of Northland Thunder" and a change in the line-up. Emil Pohjalainen (Thaurorod) recently joined on second guitar with Tuomas moving to keyboards permanently for the live shows, thus replacing Tom Sagar. Tuomas will remain active on guitar for his writing and for future recordings. As one of the most technically advanced metal bands today, Amberian Dawn is fully armed and operational to continue their epic journey throughout the globe. First in line are the clubs (London, Helsinki) and festivals (Sweden Rock , Metal Female Voices) in Europe with more dates to follow. Stay tuned and follow the clouds.

Luna Mortis

From the valleys of Southern Wisconsin come Luna Mortis. At once melodic and abrasive, technical and engaging, the female-fronted quintet blurs genre lines and transcends convention, carving a niche all their own, providing a new and powerful voice in metal. Since the solidification of their lineup in 2006, the band has consistently set a very high standard for live performance in their native Midwest, delivering precise renderings of their recorded material with unbridled intensity. The strength of the band's live show has allowed them opening spots for such acts as Megadeth, Nevermore, Dream Theater, Children of Bodom, and many more. This, combined with the international acclaim garnered by the 2006 release of their self-produced LP, "Way of the Blade*", established Luna Mortis as the region's premier metal act. By mid-2007, the band had gained sufficient momentum & notoriety to generate significant label interest. They began a period of intensive demo production and showcasing, beginning with the recording of their EP, "The Answer: Does Not Exist*" and culminating with the opportunity to cut four tracks with producer Jason Suecof (Trivium, Chimaira, All That Remains). These efforts ultimately found Luna Mortis a home at Century Media amongst a literal pantheon of some of the band's most respected and admired influences. This end result of years of dedicated work is only the beginning for Luna Mortis. With the backing of one of metal's largest and most enduring labels, the band looks outward, prepared to deliver their music to the world. Look for Luna Mortis's Century Media debut, entitled "The Absence", on February 10th, 2009 and expect tour dates to be announced in the coming months

The Northlight

The Northlight (Norwegian: Nordlys) has always been a part of Myths, Stories, Sagas and Legends. Do warriors fight a bloody battle on the sky, or are these spirits of the dead playing games? Are those bands of light created by God’s fury or a sign of his protection? Maybe it’s the souls of yet-unborn children – heralds of the ancestors or the remains of fallen Warriors? The Northlight stands for diversity, just as the new album of the German-Norwegian formation: it’s more “metal,” more diverse, and also way more folk-orientated than the debut “Where Twilight Dwells.” Journalists have already compared it to the likes of Amorphis, Devin Townsend, Nightwish or even Iron Maiden, but one thing is for sure: a simple comparison doesn’t justify itself in the case of MIDNATTSOL – since their debut, the six-piece has created and enhanced its very own style…

Singer Carmen Elise Espenaes and guitarist Chris Hector founded MIDNATTSOL in 2002, their common ground being their mutual affection for Nordic mythology and composition. Other like-minded individuals were found in short order –drummer Chris Merzinsky, keyboardist Daniel Fischer, guitarist Daniel Droste and bassist Birgit Öllbruner – and the band recorded their first self-titled demo. The band quickly gathered fans around the underground and on the internet and also gained the attention from printed magazines, soon resulting in the band’s deal with Napalm Records. The debut album “Where Twilight Dwells” is the astounding result of months of hard work, taking the listener on a journey through the dark, mysterious and ultimately thought-provoking Scandinavian landscape. One might be reminded of the magic of BATHORY or perhaps classic ANATHEMA, all accompanied by Carmen’s tender voice harmonizing with the epic melodies or providing well-done contrast to the harsh guitar riffs.

With “Where Twilight Dwells,” MIDNATTSOL immediately earned legions of fans amongst metalheads and Goths alike, all enchanted by the unique stylistic mix. Tours with In Extremo as well as festival appearances at Wave Gotik Treffen, Summer Breeze and The Metal Female Voices Festival followed, making MIDNATTSOL a strong force in the female-fronted metal genre right from the start. In 2008, MIDNATTSOL finally return with their long-anticipated second album, “Nordlys.” A recording marathon in the process, Carmen Elise Espenaes recorded her vocals at Mastersound Studios (LEAVES..EYES, ELIS, BELPHEGOR) while the instruments were done with THE VISION BLEAK mastermind Markus Stock at Klangschmiede E Studios (DORNENREICH, EMPYRIUM). Tue Madsen (GOREFEST, SIRENIA), one of Europe’s leading sound engineers, cared for the mix, and the infamous MIKA JUSSILA (AMOPRHIS, NIGHTWISH, FINNTROLL) at Finnvox Studios guaranteed a great mastering.

The four guys revolving around the two blonde beauties have developed further to emphasize emotion and melody more than ever before, but without forgetting to add a good dose of heaviness in their latest songs that alternate between fast attacks and gentle ballads. Nordic myths and tales told by the gentle and charming voice of Carmen Elise Espenæs give the album the perfect finishing touch. Allow the Northern Lights to sweep you away and charm you to your heart's content. The Bonus track on the Limited Edition was written for the charismatic clean voice of AHAB singer Daniel Droste. Fans of classic Borknagar or new Moonsorrow surely will enjoy this.