Funeral

Funeral , cult formation within the Doom scene, is known as another of the glorious pioneers of a genre initiated by the mythical Thergothon , the Funeral Doom , some of which attribute to it the parternity. The band was formed in 1991 in Drammen (Norway) by Frode Forsmo (song), Christian Loos (guitar), Kjetil Ottersen (initially keyboards, now guitarist), Einar Andre Fredriksen (bass) and Andres Eek (drums). It will take her two years to release a first demo, Sadness, which shows a very safe training of herself, working in a quality Funeral Doom. The demo will be reissued in 1994 as an MCD by the American label Wild Rags Records, and success will be immediate. Indeed, in three songs for a duration of 40 minutes, the training acquires the status of "the most depressive group in the world", from its first effort. He then gives in an ultra slow Doom with a growl voice. The release of Beyond all Sunsets in the same year marks a change of style for the band that chooses to orient itself towards more symphonic compositions, helped by the use of timbales, violins, organs (arrival of Jon Borgerud to the position of keyboardist), but also and above all by the integration of the singer Toril Snyen. For the anecdote, Funeral is one of the first bands of the genre to evolve with a singer. With its ever-growing success, the band obtained a new contract with Artic Serenades, and released in 1995 what is considered its masterpiece, Tragedies , magnificent album by Funeral Doom symphonic which will definitely propel the formation on the front of the stage. This album is probably the best known in Funeral's discography. However, the band separated from its singer at the end of 1995, but nevertheless entered the Academy Studio in early 1996. He will record 10 songs under the leadership of Mags ( My Dying Bride , Anathema , Cradle of Filth ), which will remain for some time instrumental tracks, the search for a new singer giving nothing. Sarah Eick will finally be recruited in 1996, and the band returns to studio to record the lyrics of their upcoming album. While waiting for a label, the few copies of their new demo, entitled To Mourn is a Virtue, will be distributed all over the world (magazines, record companies, radios...). But again, the band chose to change singer, and hired Hanne Hukkelberg. In 1999, the band will record a new demo, The Passion Play , drawn in very few copies. Still not getting a contract, they will again be sent to various parts of the world. 2002 is the year of renewal since the band signed a contract of two albums with the Italians of Nocturnal Music. A new album, In Fields of Pestilent Grief, is soon to be recorded. It shows an evolution of the band towards Doom Death sounds. Unfortunately, Einar Andre Fredriksen, a training bassist, committed suicide in January 2003. The group then ceased all activity, as petrified. It was in 2006 that news from all the fans who hoped to see their idols never happened: the band, signed by Tabu Records, will release a new album in early 2007, entitled From these Wounds . But it is said that Funeral is cursed, since at the end of October Christian Loos was found dead at his home. The group nevertheless decided to continue the adventure, with a new line-up, Frode Forsmo (chant, bass), Kjetil Ottersen (guitar) & Jon Borgerud (claviers) shouldering Andres Eek, now the only original member of the formation.