Penumbra (band)

Penumbra is a French gothic metal band. Its last two albums were released through Season of Mist.

Biography

Formation of Penumbra

The founders of the initial band were Jarlaath and Dorian, who met at a concert in 1996. They found that they had similar views and philosophies regarding music; both agreed that there were too many bands who had similar sounds, and not enough bands using classical influences. They agreed to rehearse together and shortly thereafter left their original bands to form Imperatoria.

Around November 1996, Imperatoria split up and Jarlaath and Neo (guitars) created a new band known as Penumbra. The name of the band has been inspired by a trip to the USA where Neo met Argentinian friends. Based on the translation of the spanish word "Penumbra", the band got their new name. They were joined once again by Dorian, along with three other musicians: Benedicte, Neo's cousin, as a keyboardist, Herr Rikk as a drummer, and Nicolas as a bass guitarist. They first appeared at the St. Denis University Festival in 1997, where they were received well. Shortly after this, they had an offer to play with the French metal band Misanthrope. The same year, they released their first demo, "Falling Into My Soul".

Recording of Emanate

In mid-1998, Penumbra's keyboard player, Benedicte, left the band to join Misanthrope. She was replaced by Zoltan. Medusa and Elise joined the band as sopranos and Amaris joined as a baritone. With this formation, the band recorded their first full-length album, Emanate, in the second half of 1998.

In 1999 and 2000, Penumbra played live shows in France and Switzerland, as well as playing at the Leipzig Festival.

Penumbra split up in 2010, but they reunited in 2013. ^[1]

Seclusion

Seclusion, Penumbra's third album was released in 2003. This opus particularity is the introduction of a new guest: the musician Loïc Taillebrest, well known for his performance as a piper and flute player. The song "Cornemuse" is holding its name from the bagpipe extracts he played.

Penumbra today

After "Seclusion" the band split up again in the first months of 2010. After several years away from stage, passion for metal music is so strong that Penumbra members decide to reunited in 2013 for composing a new album. As of today, they are about to release their 4th album: "ERA 4.0".

Recorded in 2014, it is expected in April 2015 with 10 new songs. Penumbra is innovating in their style: more modern, more powerful sound, they are moving to a "new era".

Jarlaath, Neo, Asphodel, Zoltan, Loïc, Agone and Arathelis joined the project. Teasers are already available on the band's Facebook page.

Discography

• Emanate (1999)
• The Last Bewitchment (2002)
• Seclusion (2003)
• Era 4.0 (2015 - to be released)

Demos

• "Falling Into My Soul" (1997)
• "Emanate" (1997)
• "The Last Bewitchment" (2001)

Band members

Current members

• Jarlaath - vocals & founder (1996–)
• Asphodel - vocals (2006–)
• Néo - 1st guitars & founder (1996-)
• Loïc - 2nd guitars (2004–)
• Agone - bass guitar (2001–)
• Zoltan - keyboards (1998–)
• Arathelis - drums (2003–)

Former members

• Ohra - vocals (2002–?)
• Medusa - vocals (1999–2001)
• Scyllia - vocals (1998–2001)
• Lyrissa - vocals (2004–2006)
• Krysten - vocals
• Aldric - bass guitar (1999–2001)
• David - bass guitar (1998–1999)
• Nicolas - bass guitar (1996–1998)
• Dorian - guitars (1996–2003)
• Benedicte – keyboards (1996–1998)
• Garlic - drums (2001–2003)
• Hekchen - drums (1999–2001)
• Herr Rikk - drums (1996–1999)

References

^[2]

External links

• Discography at metal-archives.com