Artifact (band)
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| Artifact | |
|---|---|
| Origin |  Stavanger, Norway |
| Genre(s) | Industrial Metal Alternative Metal Progressive (at times) |
| Years active | 2002 – present |
| Label(s) | Spiralchords COP |
| Associated acts | Sirenia Unpure This Negative Karma Deathfare |
| Website | www.artifact.no |
| Members | |
| Bjørnar Landa Pål Evensen Tor Arne Fassotte |
|
| Former members | |
| Jan Henrik Vuyk Tom Roger Veslum Jan (Last name unknown) |
|
Artifact is a Norwegian Gothic Metal band. The sound of Artifact is somewhat electronic due to the programmed beats and frequent use of industrial samples and synthetic noises. The music is not about instrumental virtuosity, rapid changes in time-signature and mind-boggling guitar solos. It's about pounding machine beats and raging guitars against ethereal synth backdrops and gothic mystique - a sound that has often been compared to that of Type O Negative (probably because of Tor Arne's deep and melodic voice), The Sisters of Mercy and Zeromancer. Other influences worth mentioning are: Rob Zombie, Ministry, Depeche Mode, Fields of the Nephilim or Nine Inch Nails.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Formation and Abandoned E.P. (2005-2006)
Artifact is a band from the city of Stavanger on the west coast of Norway, formed in late 2002. After a rough start and a long series of line-up changes, including five different vocalists and one drummer, the band settled on their current line-up in late 2004, when vocalist Tor Arne Fassotte of (Un)pure and This Negative Karma joined the band. In addition to Tor Arne, the group consists of guitarist Bjørnar Landa (who also plays with Sirenia and Deathfare), The Dictator, who takes care of the drums, samples and synths and guitarist Pål Evensen who programs The Dictator and writes most of the music. They released an ep, Abandoned, in 2005. It was sold through their website. It was sold out May 4, 2007. During the summer of 2006, the band was joined by bassist Jan Henrik Vuyk.
[edit] The Only Salvation (2007-)
They recorded their debut album in 2007. Jan left the band in 2008 right after recording the new album. The new album contains only three new songs. The other songs has been released on -abandoned or through their website as a free download. However, the songs have been remixed and new parts has been added, as a new bridge, new intro etc. The Only Salvation, was going to be released in the winter of 2007/2008, but they were not able to release it due to managements problems with Rock Management. Artifact signed a contract with Spiralchords and COP. The album was finally released in April 10, 2008 on iTunes. The release date in Norway is still unknown, but it will be released May 9, 2008 in Germany and June 10, 2008 in the USA. The Only Salvation was awarded "Album of the Month" by Zillo Music Magazine (Germany). "New Messiah" will be the first single from The Only Salvation. It will be released as a 2 disc single. It contains unreleased songs from The Only Salvation, some demos and a remix. Svein Harald Kleppe joined the band as a drummer in April, 2008.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Abandoned (2005)
- The Only Salvation (2008)
[edit] Members
[edit] Current
- Bjørnar Landa - Guitars (2002-)
- Pål Evensen - Guitars, Keyboards, Bass guitar, Samples (2002-)
- Tor Arne Fassotte - Lead Vocals (2004-)
- Svein Harald Kleppe - Drums (2008-)
[edit] Former
- Jan Henrik Vuyk - Bass Guitar (2006-2008)
- Tom Roger Thu - Lead Vocals (2003-2004)
