Nine Destinies and a Downfall

Last updated
Nine Destinies and a Downfall
Nine Destinies and a Downfall.jpg
Studio album by
Sirenia
Released23 February 2007
RecordedSound Suite Studio, Marseille, France
Jailhouse Studios, Kristiansand
Stargoth Studios, Tau, Norway
17 July – 1 October 2006
Genre
Length43:01
Label Nuclear Blast
Producer Terje Refsnes, Morten Veland
Sirenia chronology
Sirenian Shores
(2004)		Nine Destinies and a Downfall
(2007)		 The 13th Floor
(2009)
Singles from Nine Destinies and a Downfall
  1. "My Mind's Eye"
    Released: 22 December 2006 (digital only)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
About.com Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Metal Storm Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]

Nine Destinies and a Downfall is the third studio album by the Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia. It was released on 23 February 2007 through Nuclear Blast. The enhanced CD of the digipak edition contains a bonus track, the video for the song "My Mind's Eye" and multimedia software. [3] The music video was produced and directed by Serbian film company iCODE Team, being the first of the band. In March 2007 a second video was released, "The Other Side".

Contents

Cover art

The album features a cover art based on a very futuristic luminous "cyborg" -with the face of new singer Monika Pedersen- and quite different from any other album by the band.

For the cover design, Nuclear Blast advised them to contact American graphic artist Anthony Clarkson, who designed covers for Blind Guardian, Rage, Lacuna Coil and In Flames among others. Anthony turned out to be a lifelong fan of Sirenia and happily did the job required. [4]

Background

At the end of 2004, the band's contract with Napalm Records expired and it was not renewed. Later, Sirenia accepted an offer from a new record label, Nuclear Blast, and they signed a long-term contract in March 2005. [5]

Nine Destinies and a Downfall was recorded between 17 July and 1 October 2006 in three recording studios: Stargoth (Tau, Norway), Sound Suite (Marseille) and Jailhouse (Kristiansand), while it vwas mixed and mastered at Antfarm Studios (Aarhus,Denmark). Therefore, it is one of the most exhaustive productions of the band to raise the recording quality to a better level. The album it was released on 23 February 2007, almost three years after their previous album An Elixir for Existence .

It features a much-publicized new female lead singer, Danish-born Monika Pedersen (from Sinphonia) on her only album with Sirenia, who joined the band in April 2006 replacing Henriette Bordvik. It also features a new guitarist, Bjørnar Landa (from Artifact), a live member of the band since 2004 who replaced Kristian Gundersen, but did not participate in the recording sessions.

However, Pedersen's experience with Sirenia finished suddenly in November 2007 when she left the group due to musical disagreements during the European promotional tour scheduled with Therion.

Musical style

The album features a remarkable (and definitive) change in the band's musical style, starting toward a more melodic and radio-friendly gothic metal sound, leaving out the most operatic sections and the violin passages, including less death growls by Morten Veland.

Specifically, it contains a mix of heavy and powerful songs with catchy chorus in dark lyrics, focused especially on the pure vocals of Pedersen; all of them strategic characteristics that gained the band access to a way broader audience.

Reception

Nine Destinies and a Downfall was Sirenia's first album to hit the charts in several European countries.

Similarly, the single "My Mind's Eye" was their first great international success on some local radios. [6] The music video was widely distributed in Austria, Switzerland, Australia and Germany and was broadcast on MTV. [7]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."The Last Call"4:45
2."My Mind's Eye"3:41
3."One by One"5:28
4."Sundown"5:05
5."Absent Without Leave"4:54
6."The Other Side"3:55
7."Seven Keys and Nine Doors"4:55
8."Downfall"4:44
9."Glades of Summer"5:36
Total length:43:01
Limited edition bonus track
No.TitleLength
10."My Mind's Eye (radio edit)"3:17
Total length:46:18

Personnel

Credits for Nine Destinies and a Downfall adapted from liner notes. [8]

Sirenia

Additional personnel

Production

Charts

Chart performance for Nine Destinies and a Downfall
Chart (2007)Peak
position
French Albums (SNEP) [9] 134
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [10] 54
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [11] 85

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tristania (band)</span> Norwegian gothic metal band

Tristania was a Norwegian gothic metal band formed in 1996 by Morten Veland, Einar Moen and Kenneth Olsson. Tristania's music is usually classified as Gothic metal with death influences, due to its strong tie and legacy within the gothic metal history. Their songs largely dealt with dark and sentimental topics, including depression, sadness, suicide, love, absence, and anger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sirenia (band)</span> Norwegian gothic metal band

Sirenia is a Norwegian gothic metal band from Stavanger, founded in 2001 by Morten Veland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sins of Thy Beloved</span> Norwegian death-doom/gothic metal band

The Sins of Thy Beloved was a death-doom/gothic metal band from Bryne, Norway, founded in 1996.

<i>Beyond the Veil</i> (album) 1999 studio album by Tristania

Beyond the Veil is the second full-length album by the Norwegian band Tristania. It is the last album to feature the band's former vocalist, guitarist and core songwriter, Morten Veland.

<i>An Elixir for Existence</i> 2004 studio album by Sirenia

An Elixir for Existence is the second studio album by the Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia, released in 2004. The album follows in the same vein as the previous At Sixes and Sevens, but includes a new female vocalist, Henriette Bordvik. From this album, Sirenia has been presented as a 4-piece band, with Morten Veland as the only permanent member.

<i>At Sixes and Sevens</i> 2002 studio album by Sirenia

At Sixes and Sevens is the debut studio album by the Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia, and their only album featuring the vocals of French singer Fabienne Gondamin. The woman on the cover is a Norwegian model, picked by the designer to represent a Siren.

<i>Sirenian Shores</i> 2004 EP by Sirenia

Sirenian Shores is an EP by the Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia. It was released on 11 October 2004 by Napalm Records. It is the last work recorded with the female lead singer Henriette Bordvik, who left the band in November 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morten Veland</span> Norwegian musician (born 1977)

Morten Veland is a Norwegian musician. He is one of the founding members of the gothic metal band Tristania and the founding member of Sirenia and Mortemia.

<i>The 13th Floor</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Sirenia

The 13th Floor is the fourth studio album by the Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia and their first with the Spanish vocalist Ailyn. It was released on 23 January 2009, through Nuclear Blast. The album features guest appearances by Jan Kenneth Barkved, and the French violin player, Stephanie Valentin, who adds to the sound along with the choir that has been a part of their sound since the beginning. The album was released in three formats: CD, CD-Digi and box set. The box set edition was restricted to 500 copies worldwide. The download-only single, "The Path to Decay", was released on 26 December 2008.

Monika Pedersen is a Danish singer of the band Sinphonia and former vocalist of "The World State" and the Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia, replacing Henriette Bordvik. She also contributed guest vocals to Mercenary, Effektor, Evil Masquerade, Manticora, and Ad Noctum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mortemia</span> Norwegian gothic metal one-man band

Mortemia is a Norwegian gothic metal one-man band created in 2009 by Morten Veland, the founder of Tristania and Sirenia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Pérez (musician)</span> Chilean drummer

Jonathan Alejandro Pérez is a Chilean drummer who is currently based in Kristiansand, Norway. He is known for his work with the Norwegian gothic metal and symphonic metal bands Trail of Tears and Sirenia. He is currently the drummer of Green Carnation since 2016.

<i>The Enigma of Life</i> 2011 studio album by Sirenia

The Enigma of Life is the fifth studio album by the Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia and their second with the Spanish vocalist Ailyn. It was released on 21 January 2011 through Nuclear Blast. The album was mastered at Finnvox Studios in Finland. The download-only single, "The End of It All", was released on 21 December 2010.

<i>Perils of the Deep Blue</i> 2013 studio album by Sirenia

Perils of the Deep Blue is the sixth studio album by the Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia. It was released on June 28, 2013, in Europe, July 1 in the United Kingdom and July 9 in North America by Nuclear Blast.

<i>The Seventh Life Path</i> 2015 studio album by Sirenia

The Seventh Life Path is the seventh studio album by Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia. It was released on May 8 in Europe, May 11 in the United Kingdom and May 12, 2015 in North America through Napalm Records. This will be the first record released by the Austrian record company since An Elixir for Existence. It is their last album featuring longtime Spanish female vocalist Ailyn.

<i>Dim Days of Dolor</i> 2016 studio album by Sirenia

Dim Days of Dolor is the eighth studio album by Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia. It was released on November 11, 2016 through Napalm Records. It is their first album with French vocalist Emmanuelle Zoldan following the departure of Ailyn.

<i>Arcane Astral Aeons</i> 2018 studio album by Sirenia

Arcane Astral Aeons is the ninth studio album by Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia. It was released on 26 October 2018 through Napalm Records.

<i>Riddles, Ruins & Revelations</i> 2021 studio album by Sirenia

Riddles, Ruins & Revelations is the tenth studio album by Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia. It was released on 12 February 2021 via Napalm Records. The first single "Addiction No. 1" was released on 8 December 2020, along with a music video. The second single, "We Come to Ruins", was released on 12 January 2021. On 10 February 2021, the band released their third single which is a cover of French singer Desireless, "Voyage, voyage".

<i>The Pandemic Pandemonium Sessions</i> 2021 EP by Mortemia

The Pandemic Pandemonium Sessions are a digital download collection of singles by the Norwegian gothic metal one-man band Mortemia. The singles have been released through 2021 and 2022. Unlike Mortemia's first album, Misere Mortem, these singles have a more melodic and diverse musical concept. There is a female guest vocalist in each song instead of the characteristic symphonic choir.

<i>1977</i> (Sirenia album) 2023 studio album by Sirenia

1977 is the eleventh studio album by Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia. It was released on 26 May 2023 via Napalm Records. Three music videos was made for the album, "Twist in My Sobriety", a cover from English folk singer Tanita Tikaram, "Deadlight" and "Wintry Heart".

References

  1. ↑ "Heavy Metal".
  2. ↑ "Sirenia - Nine Destinies And A Downfall review". Metal Storm. 19 February 2007. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
  3. ↑ "Sirenia - Nine Destinies and a Downfall". Encyclopaedia Metallum . Retrieved 2011-10-13.
  4. ↑ "Sirenia". darkside.ru. Retrieved 29 February 2020..
  5. ↑ "Sirenia Sign With Nuclear Blast Records - Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 18 March 2005. Retrieved 19 September 2014..
  6. ↑ "SIRENIA - topping greek radio charts!". nuclearblast.de. Retrieved 1 March 2020..
  7. ↑ "Gothmetall-base på Tau - Aftenbladet.no". www.aftenbladet.no. Archived from the original on 2012-03-20.
  8. ↑ (2007). "Nine Destinies and a Downfall liner notes". In Nine Destinies and a Downfall [CD booklet]. Nuclear Blast.
  9. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Sirenia – Nine Destinies and a Downfall". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 February 2007.
  10. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Sirenia – Nine Destinies and a Downfall" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 25 February 2007.
  11. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Sirenia – Nine Destinies and a Downfall". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 February 2007.
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.