Leprous is a Norwegian progressive metal band from Notodden, formed in 2001. The group was founded by singer and keyboardist Einar Solberg and guitarist Tor Oddmund Suhrke.
After releasing several demos with relatively unstable lineups, the band released their first studio album, Tall Poppy Syndrome, in 2009. They subsequently gained prominence as the live backing band of Ihsahn (who is Solberg's brother-in-law), who, in turn, contributed on several Leprous records as guest singer or producer.[1][2][3] Their acclaimed 2011 album Bilateral led to further attention. After two albums which followed the same musical direction, Coal (2013) and The Congregation (2015), Leprous took a more rock-oriented and less metal approach with Malina (2017), their first record not to feature harsh vocals.[4] Leprous further experimented on 2019's Pitfalls, which saw the band mixing art rock, pop and progressive influences into their established sound.[5] Leprous released their seventh studio album Aphelion on 27 August 2021.[6][7] Their albums have received mostly positive reviews.[4]
History
The band's roster solidified by the time they recorded their debut album, Tall Poppy Syndrome in August 2008. American label Sensory Records signed the band and released the album in May 2009. Alex Henderson of AllMusic praised the band's debut for moving past the "staunchly pre-90s mentality" of contemporary progressive metal by blending the influence of Pink Floyd and King Crimson with alternative metal bands such as Tool.[8]
The album received positive reviews[9] while the band gained attention as the live band for Emperor's frontman, Ihsahn, whose wife, Starofash, is the sister to Leprous vocalist/keyboardist Einar Solberg.[1] In 2010, Leprous appeared at ProgPower USA[10] and ProgPower Europe, and later supported Therion on their European tour. After that tour, the band announced that they had split with bassist Halvor Strand, who was replaced by Rein Blomquist.[11]
At the end of February 2011 the band announced that they had signed with Inside Out, with worldwide distribution through Century Media.[12] The band's debut for Inside Out Records, Bilateral, was released on 22 August 2011 in Europe and a day later in North America[13][14] and featured artwork by American surrealist Jeff Jordan and Spanish designer Ritxi Ostariz.[11] The album featured a guest vocal appearance by Ihsahn and trumpets by Vegard Sandbukt.
Leprous at Wacken Open Air 2013
On 20 May 2013, Leprous released Coal. Vocalist Einar Solberg described the album as "a more melancholic and darker album than the more playful Bilateral. By darker, I don't mean more aggressive, but more severe. There is still a big range in the dynamics, but no jumping between different moods within a song."[15]
On 5 May 2014, the band announced the departure of drummer Tobias Ørnes Andersen. He was replaced by Baard Kolstad, who played with Leprous throughout their 2013 Coal tour. The statement also revealed that the band was working on material for their next album.[16]
In early June 2014, Prog magazine Radio Show on Team Rock Radio in the United Kingdom published tour dates for an Inside Out records showcase featuring labelmates Haken, Maschine and Leprous for Autumn 2014 in the United Kingdom and Europe.
On 25 May 2015, the album The Congregation was released via Inside Out Music. A video for the track "The Price" was shot and then released on 8 April.[17] On 30 April 2015, another track of the album, "Rewind", was released.[18]
On 1 March 2017, Leprous announced through their official Facebook page that a new studio album would be released.[19] The album, Malina, was released on 25 August 2017.
The band released a new single, "Golden Prayers", on 1 June 2018.[20][21]
On 25 January 2019, Leprous released a cover of "Angel" by Massive Attack, along with an accompanying music video.[22] The band had already performed the cover live during shows in late 2018.
Leprous entered the studio to record their sixth album in early 2019.[23] The album, titled Pitfalls, was officially announced on 26 August 2019, along with the designated release date of 25 October 2019, as well as the artwork and tracklist.[24]
Leprous continued to regularly perform live throughout 2020 and 2021, with the events streamed online from their home town of Notodden. This included performances of each of their studio albums (except Tall Poppy Syndrome) in full, including multiple live debuts and many songs performed for the first time with the band's current lineup.
On 9 June 2021, Leprous announced their seventh studio album Aphelion, with a release date of 28 August 2021.[25] The band announced that the first single from Aphelion will be released on 26 June 2021.[26]
While all the members contribute to Leprous' music, Tor Oddmund Suhrke (guitarist) has penned most of the lyrics, and Einar Solberg (singer and keyboardist) composes the backbone for most of their songs; both are the only constant members in the band's line-up.[31][32] In his formative years, the frontman took singing and piano lessons and he used to notate Leprous songs but later stopped doing so after feeling that their compositions written intuitively were better.[33] The band has emphasised their intention of taking different approaches on every album.[33]
The use of eight-string guitar has been a consistent element of the band's style. Contrary to the prevalent uses in modern progressive metal and djent, Tor Oddmund Suhrke's playing style includes the use of complex chords in a variety of alternate guitar tunings (often necessitated by the fact the chord progressions are originally written by Einar Solberg on keyboard). As of Pitfalls, the use of eight-string guitars has decreased; instead, it is the first album to feature acoustic guitars, as well as band members rotating to perform additional keyboards and percussion live.
Opeth are a Swedish progressive metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990. The band incorporates folk, blues, classical, and jazz elements into its usually lengthy compositions, as well as strong influences from death metal, especially in their early works. Songs may include acoustic guitar passages, Mellotrons, death growls, and strong dynamic shifts.
Emperor is a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1991, regarded as highly influential by critics and emerging black metal bands. The group split up in 2001, but reunited from 2005 to 2007 for a few festival dates and brief US tours, and again reunited in 2013 to 2014. Emperor reformed for the third time in 2016. The group was founded by Ihsahn (guitar/vocal) and Samoth.
Steven John Wilson is an English musician. He is the founder, guitarist, lead vocalist and songwriter of the rock band Porcupine Tree, as well as being a member of several other bands, including Blackfield, Storm Corrosion and No-Man. He is also a solo artist, having released seven solo albums since his solo debut Insurgentes in 2008. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Wilson has made music prolifically and earned critical acclaim. His honours include six nominations for Grammy Awards: twice with Porcupine Tree, once with his collaborative band Storm Corrosion and three times as a solo artist. In 2017, The Daily Telegraph described him as "a resolutely independent artist" and "probably the most successful British artist you've never heard of".
Vegard Sverre Tveitan, better known by his stage name Ihsahn, is a Norwegian musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and composer who is best known for his work with the black metal band Emperor. Tveitan is also a founding member of Thou Shalt Suffer, where he played guitar and keyboard in addition to vocal duties, and Peccatum, a project in collaboration with his wife and fellow musician Heidi Solberg Tveitan, also known as Starofash. Since 2006, Tveitan has primarily devoted himself to solo albums and occasional guest appearances.
While Heaven Wept was an American epic doom metal band based in Dale City, Virginia. The primary writer and overall engine of the band was mainman Tom Phillips. Their melodic, classically influenced style could be compared to bands such as Solitude Aeturnus and Solstice ; however, 2003's acclaimed Of Empires Forlorn saw the band branching out into a variety of metal and progressive styles. This trend continues on their 2009 album, Vast Oceans Lachrymose, and on their 2011 album, Fear of Infinity.
Persefone is an Andorran progressive death metal band formed in October 2001. The band's name is derived from Persephone, a figure in Greek Mythology.
Lost in Reverie is the third studio album release from the Norwegian avant-garde metal band Peccatum. It was released in 2004 on Mnemosyne Productions, the label run by band members Ihsahn and Ihriel.
Heidi Solberg Tveitan is a Norwegian musician and singer currently known for her solo project Starofash. Tveitan was formerly half of the experimental band Peccatum, where she performed vocals, keyboards and synths and wrote the majority of lyrics, under the name Ihriel. She is the sister of Einar Solberg, the singer of Leprous, and the wife of Ihsahn of the black metal band Emperor, with whom she runs the production company Mnemosyne Productions as a music producer and manager.
Tall Poppy Syndrome is the debut studio album by Norwegian progressive metal band Leprous. It was recorded and mixed at Black Lounge Studio/The Abyss by Jonas Kjellgren, mastered at West West Side by Alan Douches. Art Design by Ritxi Ostariz.
Aeolia is the second demo by Norwegian progressive metal band Leprous, released in 2006. It was recorded and mixed at Symfonique and Juke Joint Studio by Mnemosyne. Art Design by Bjørn Tore Moen. Although a self-released demo, it is occasionally regarded as the band's first full-length album due to the running time being longer than that of most other Leprous recordings.
Bilateral is the second studio album by Norwegian progressive metal band Leprous. It was recorded in Ivory Shoulder Studios and Juke Joint Studio by Vegard Tveitan and Heidi Solberg Tveitan, and mixed and mastered at Fascination Street Studio by Jens Bogren. Additional editing by Ivar Barstad. Art direction and design by Ritxi Ostáriz. Cover painting by Jeff Jordan. All songs published by Magic Art Publishing.
Eremita is the fourth studio album by Norwegian black metal musician Ihsahn. The album features guest appearances by several notable musicians, including Devin Townsend and Jeff Loomis of Nevermore.
Coal is the third studio album by Norwegian progressive metal band Leprous, released on 20 May 2013.
The Congregation is the fourth studio album by Norwegian progressive metal band Leprous. The album was released on 25 May 2015 in Europe and 2 June 2015 in North America. This album was partially recorded at Fascination Street in Sweden, and the vocals developed with Heidi Solberg Tveitan and Ihsahn at Mnemosyne Studios in Norway.
Affinity is the fourth studio album by English progressive metal band Haken. It was released on 29 April 2016 by Inside Out Music. It is the group's first full-length album with the bass guitarist Conner Green following the departure of Thomas MacLean.
Bent Knee is an American art rock band formed in Boston, Massachusetts, in 2009. The band performs in multiple genres and draws from multiple influences, including pop, industrial rock, progressive rock and avant-garde. The band is known for unpredictable dynamic contrast and the wide vocal range of its singer, Courtney Swain.
Malina is the fifth studio album by Norwegian progressive metal band Leprous, released on 25 August 2017 through Inside Out Music.
Pitfalls is the sixth studio album by Norwegian progressive metal band Leprous, released on 25 October 2019 via Inside Out Music and preceded by the singles "Below", "Alleviate", and "Distant Bells". It was recorded over six months at Ghostward Studios. A cellist, violinist, and classical choir were recruited for the production. Most of the songs were written and composed by Leprous vocalist Einar Solberg.
Aphelion is the seventh studio album by Norwegian progressive metal band Leprous, released on 27 August 2021 via Inside Out Music. The album was first hinted by the single "Castaway Angels" in December 2020, and six months later, the band announced the album and began releasing two singles prior to the album's release; "Running Low" and "The Silent Revelation", plus a music video for "Nighttime Disguise". It was recorded in several recording studios in Scandinavia. During the recording process, longtime collaborator Raphael Weinroth-Browne was involved for the third time in row, contributing with additional cello. Most of the songs were written and composed by Leprous vocalist and keyboardist Einar Solberg.
Metanoia is the sixth studio album by Andorran metal band Persefone. It was released on 4 February 2022 by label Napalm Records. A music video for "Merkebah" was released alongside the album's announcement on 16 November 2021. The 11-minute instrumental "Consciousness (Pt.3)" continues the "Consciousness" suite from their 2013 album Spiritual Migration.
↑ Rosen, Steven (1 August 2016). "'We Are Our Own Worst Critics' - An Interview With Leprous' Tor Oddmund Suhrke". Ultimate Guitar. Archived from the original on 23 February 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2020. ... there has never been any rules in Leprous when it comes to who being allowed to contribute to writing music or lyrics, but it's true that I wrote approximately half of the lyrics on Tall Poppy Syndrome together with our former bass player Halvor, all the lyrics on Bilateral and almost all lyrics on Coal except for "The Cloak" which is written by Einar. On The Congregation, I also wrote most of the lyrics, ...
↑ Salmeron, J (28 May 2015). "Always Changing: An Interview with Leprous". Metalblast.net. Archived from the original on 30 May 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2020. Interviewer: Regarding losing two members; was the songwriting divided among all of you before? Einar Solberg: On the previous albums I also had [composed] the majority of the albums, ...
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
