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Empyrium is a German symphonicfolk/doom metal and (later)neofolk/dark folk band.
Empyrium was founded in 1994 byMarkus Stock (mostly using thepseudonymUlf Theodor Schwadorf) and Andreas Bach, but later many other musicians participated.
The band draws inspiration fromnature. Empyrium are often referred to as adark folk orapocalyptic folk band[citation needed], expressing in their music sentiments akin to those expressed by some other 'legislators' of the genre,Forseti,Orplid, andUlver (Kveldssanger)[citation needed]. Like theNorwegian black metal bandBurzum, Empyrium also used aTheodor Kittelsen drawing on one of their album covers (Where at Night the Wood Grouse Plays).
Their first two albums,A Wintersunset andSongs of Moors and Misty Fields, following a demo entitled...Der wie ein Blitz vom Himmel fiel..., are considereddoom metal (orfolk metal) withfolk andsymphonic influences. They combineharsh andoperatic malevocals, with deep slowguitar parts and atmospheric sounds.
The following two albums,Where at Night the Wood Grouse Plays andWeiland areacoustic, display a constantly heavierneofolk influence. Instead of keyboards, the band switched to acoustic instruments such asacoustic guitars,violins,cellos and theflute. Operatic male vocals are still used, and inWeiland the band uses choir vocals and the piano. Though the music remains dark and melancholic, Empyrium's music has largely moved away from metal.
After their 2002 album,Weiland, the band decided to stop recording. As Schwadorf himself put it,
Empyrium has explored nature-mystics since 1994, and after 8 years we feel to move on and made a glorious farewell to the concept with "Weiland"[1]
In August 2006, Empyrium's label,Prophecy Productions, announced publicly for the first time that a new album was going to be released in late November the same year. CalledA Retrospective, it is a look back on the history of the band. Aside from ten remastered tracks from their previous albums, it contains a re-recorded version ofThe Franconian Woods In Winter's Silence from the albumA Wintersunset, as well as two new tracks in theneofolk style of late Empyrium (Der Weiher andAm Wolkenstieg). The sixty-pagebooklet provides an extensive account of the musical influences of the band, and how Empyrium has changed over the years. The album leaked onto theInternet in early November 2006.
On September 17, 2010,Prophecy Productions and Schwadorf personally announced that the band had reunited and revealed plans to release a new album soon, beside contributing to the label's upcoming v/a compilationWhom The Moon A Nightsong Sings.[2]
We are incredibly happy to announce that Empyrium, the most renowned Prophecy act ever, has decided to reunite and to record new music! Here's the official statement of Schwadorf on the reunion: "Since the rumours start to spread we think it's about time to make this official: Empyrium is alive again! Our first new sign of life will be the song 'The Days Before The Fall' on the Prophecy Prod. compilation 'Whom The Moon A Nightsong Sings' but we have plans for more! The spirit is back and it really feels right to us to start writing songs with Empyrium again. We are not in a rush though so don't expect a full length today or tomorrow but we have the patience and faith to make this new songs outstanding and unique. Just as Empyrium ever was..."[3]
Demos
Studio albums
EPs
Compilation albums
Live albums
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