Morten Veland

Morten Veland (born 4 December 1977) is a Norwegian multi-instrumentalist, composer, songwriter, and producer. He is one of the founding members of the Norwegian gothic metal band Tristania, and the founding member of Sirenia and Mortemia.

Morten Veland
Morten Veland, 2010
Background information
Birth nameMorten Veland
Born (1977-12-04) 4 December 1977
OriginStavanger, Norway [1]
GenresGothic metal, symphonic metal, doom metal, death-doom, symphonic black metal
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, producer, composer
InstrumentsGuitars, bass, keyboards, drums, vocals, programming
Years active1992—present
LabelsNapalm, Nuclear Blast
Associated actsTristania, Sirenia, Mortemia

Up to date, he has released nine albums and two EP's.

Background

At the age of 14, Veland began saving to buy his first electric guitar.[2] He would lock himself up and practice everyday and night.[3] Veland was inspired by Guns N' Roses's Appetite For Destruction and Alice Cooper's Trash to make a career out of music and afterwards by The Sisters of Mercy, Fields of the Nephilim, and The Mission amongst others.[2]

Career

Early days

In 1992, Veland entered the music scene when he was just 15 years old.[4] He and bandmate Kenneth Olsson, who would later form Tristania, formed Uzi Suicide.[3] They were described as a fusion of Rock and Metal. However, his interest grew more into the UK Gothic scene. It inspired his songwriting into a darker and gloomier musical feel. Fragments of Uzi Suicide turned into Tristania.[3]

1995-2001: Tristania

In 1995, he co-founded Tristania and at 19 signed his first record deal. Veland released 2 albums and couple EP's with the band. Tristania became one of the leading acts in the genre at the time. They toured throughout the American continent and also in Europe. The band performed in some of the biggest music festivals in Europe.[4] Whilst in Tristania, he was the main lyricist, songwriter and guitarist[5] as well as being responsible for the growling vocals, until he left Tristania after the first two full-length albums due to social and musical differences.[6]

2001-present: Sirenia

After Tristania, in 2001 he formed his own band Sirenia, composing the same genre of music, in which he contributes nearly all of the instruments as well as the growling vocals. The rest of the band (except female singer and choir members) are mostly used on live performances only.

Mortemia

While taking Sirenia on a more melodic direction, Veland began writing other types of music.[3] He ended up with many great ideas but it didn't really fit his current band's musical concept. Since he felt the music was too good, he decided to form Mortemia. The music has a similar style to that of Tristania's second album Beyond the Veil. The band signed a contract with Napalm Records on 6 July 2009.[7] Mortemia is a studio project only, but he is considering doing a live lineup in the future.[3]

Influence

He cites Guns N' Roses, Metallica, Leonard Cohen, The Sisters of Mercy, Fields of the Nephilim, The Mission, Tiamat, Nick Cave, and Paradise Lost as his chief influences.[3]

Private life

He runs Audio Avenue studios and works as a producer and engineer.[3] During his spare time he collects cognacs, red wines, and beers. He enjoys playing chess, fishing, and hiking.[8] He is married to Elaine, with whom he has two children.

Discography

Tristania

Demos
  • Tristania (EP, 1997)

Albums

Singles
  • Angina (1999)

Live Albums
  • Widow's Tour (1999)
  • Widow's Tour/Angina (1999)

Compilation albums
  • Midwintertears / Angina (2001)
  • Midwinter Tears (2005)

Music videos
  • Evenfall (1998)

Sirenia

Demos

Albums

Singles
  • My Mind's Eye (2007)
  • The Path to Decay (2009)
  • The End of It All (2011)
  • Seven Widows Weep (2013)
  • Once My Light (2015)
  • The 12th Hour (2016)
  • Dim Days of Dolor (2016)
  • Love Like Cyanide (2018)
  • Into the Night (2018)

Music Videos
  • My Mind's Eye (2007)
  • The Other Side (2007)
  • The Path to Decay (2009)
  • The End of It All (2011)
  • Seven Widows Weep (2013)

Mortemia

Albums

Music Videos
  • The One I Once Was (2010)

References
  1. http://www.metal-archives.com/artists/Morten_Veland/884
  2. "Sirenia Interview". about.com. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  3. "Mortemia Interview- Morten Veland Interview- Interview with Morten Veland of Mortemia and Sirenia". Archived from the original on May 17, 2013. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  4. "Biography". mortemia.no. Archived from the original on July 12, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
  5. "Sirenia homepage". Sirenia.no. Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2011-08-20.
  6. "gothmetal.net, tristania". Gothmetal.net. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-20.
  7. "Sirenia mainman's Mortemia signs with Napalm Records". Blabbermouth.net. July 6, 2009. Archived from the original on January 28, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
  8. "Sirenia- Old Is New Again". deadrhetoric. deadrhetoric.
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