Susperia

Susperia is a Norwegian melodic thrash metal band formed in October 1998 by Tjodalv and Cyrus. The band was originally named Seven Sins, but since there was another band with that name they changed it to the title of the horror film Suspiria, changing the spelling to avoid a clash with Suspiria, a gothic rock band that also took its name from the film.

History
Susperia was started by Tjodalv (Dimmu Borgir, Old Man's Child) and Cyrus (Satyricon, Old Man's Child) in October 1998. After Tjodalv left Dimmu Borgir in the middle of March 1999, he started to concentrate fully on Susperia together with old-time friend Cyrus. At Wacken Open Air Festival in 1999, Tjodalv met with singer Athera (Vanaheim), who joined the band subsequently, followed by bass player Memnock (Old Man's Child, Vanaheim) and guitarist Elvorn. They recorded a demo, Illusions of Evil, in December 1999 at Pitfire Studio outside Oslo, which was mixed and mastered by L. Argedick. Synthesizer and piano parts were played by Mustis (Dimmu Borgir). He was briefly an official member of the band before he left to fully concentrate on Dimmu Borgir. Mustis returned to the band in 2010, after being fired from Dimmu Borgir.

The demo was sent out to different record companies and gained some positive feedback. They received a few offers from mainly major record labels and signed in early 2000 with Nuclear Blast for four records. Susperia played their first live gig at John Dee in Oslo, following Ragnarok and Alsvartr; just a few months later, they played at the Scream Magazine 10-year anniversary party.

In March 2009, it was reported that vocalist Athera (real name Pål Mathisen) had suffered a heart attack. It was later confirmed that he had been rushed into hospital in Lørenskog, suffering from acute stomach pain and heavy bleeding. He was expected to remain hospitalised for some time. It was later announced that he would undergo a triple bypass operation on 16 March 2009.

Susperia joined Melodi Grand Prix in 2011, but lost before the semi-final.

Cyrus is currently the touring bassist for Dimmu Borgir.

In 2015, founding vocalist Athera left the band.

Musical style
On their early albums, the band experimented with a mixture of black and thrash metal. Testament, one of the members' favorite bands, was a major influence, and by the time the album Unlimited was released, the black metal elements had disappeared. Instead, the band gave more space to influences from heavy metal. Today, Susperia are generally regarded as a melodic thrash metal band.

The lyrics written by singer Athera are personal and either purely fictional or autobiographical. Politics and religion are not dealt with, nor are certain concepts. Athera uses both guttural and clean vocals.

Susperia is not a Satanic band, though their lyrics tend to criticise and question the views and morals of Christianity.

Band members
Current members
 * Terje "Cyrus" Andersen – guitars (1998–present)
 * Christian "Elvorn" Hagen – guitars (1998–present)
 * Ian Kenneth "Tjodalv" Åkesson – drums (1998–present)

Former members
 * Øyvind Johan "Mustis" Mustaparta – keyboards (1998–2000; touring musician: 2010–2011)
 * Håkon "Memnock" Didriksen – bass (1998–2019)
 * Pål "Athera" Mathiesen – vocals (1998–2015; touring musician: 2019)
 * Bernt "Dagon" Fjellstad – vocals (2015–2019; touring musician: 2009, 2014–2015)

Live musicians
 * Lars "Tristhan" Fredriksen – bass (2019)

Timeline

Studio albums

 * Predominance (2001)
 * Vindication (2002)
 * Unlimited (2004)
 * Cut from Stone (2007)
 * Attitude (2009)
 * The Lyricist (2018)

EPs/singles

 * Devil May Care (2005)
 *  Nothing Remains (single, 2011)
 *  We Are the Ones (2011)

Demos

 * Illusions of Evil (2000)