Shade Empire
Encyclopedia
Shade Empire is a Finnish symphonic black metal
band, formed in 1999 in the city of Kuopio
.
Shade Empire's prevalent lyrical subjects are Satanism, anti-religion, death, destruction, hatred and pain. The music on their three official full-length releases, Sinthetic
, Intoxicate O.S.
and Zero Nexus
bears a melodic sort of black metal
, featuring the usage of both electronic and symphonic elements. Their lyrics are mainly in English, except for one song that has lyrics in Finnish, "...Ja Pimeys Laskeutui", the title of which can be translated as "...And Darkness Descended", (The last word "Laskeutui" can also be translated as "Fell", "Came" or "Landed").
The third demo CD of the band, Essence of Pain, raised the interest of the Italian label Avantgarde Music
. As a result, their debut album Sinthetic was released on March 29, 2004 under the aforementioned label.
In 2006, the band signed with the Finnish label Dynamic Arts Records. The same year, their second album, Intoxicate O.S., was released on May 24, 14 days after the release of the single Slitwrist Ecstasy
. Intoxicate O.S. had moderate success, reaching number 25 in weekly Finnish album sales.
After releasing the album, Shade Empire continued playing at several events such as Jörisrock and Qstock, mainly beside other Finnish artists. They also performed on a series of independent gigs. The same year, Shade Empire played their first official concert outside of Finland, in the encompassment of the Popkomm
trade show in Berlin
at the Kulturbrauerei
(Culture Brewery).
Symphonic black metal
Symphonic black metal is a black metal subgenre that emerged in the mid to late 1990s. The genre is known for its symphonic and orchestral elements and is centralized in Europe.-Characteristics:...
band, formed in 1999 in the city of Kuopio
Kuopio
Kuopio is a city and a municipality located in the region of Northern Savonia, Finland. A population of makes it the ninth biggest city in the country. The city has a total area of , of which is water and half forest...
.
Shade Empire's prevalent lyrical subjects are Satanism, anti-religion, death, destruction, hatred and pain. The music on their three official full-length releases, Sinthetic
Sinthetic
Sinthetic is the debut album by the Finnish dark metal band Shade Empire. The ninth track, "End of Dreams", is not listed in the CD, it can be regarded as a bonus or simply an outro.-Track listing:#"Conjuration" – 4:50#"Pain & Pleasure" – 5:23...
, Intoxicate O.S.
Intoxicate O.S.
Intoxicate O.S. is the second full-length album by the Finnish dark metal band Shade Empire. The album was recorded at Studio Perkele in Finland.Intoxicate O.S...
and Zero Nexus
Zero Nexus
Zero Nexus is the third studio album by the Finnish metal band Shade Empire. It was released March 12, 2008 by Dynamic Arts Records.- Track listing :# "9 in 1" – 4:38# "Adam & Eve" – 4:21# "Blood Colours the White" – 4:15...
bears a melodic sort of black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
, featuring the usage of both electronic and symphonic elements. Their lyrics are mainly in English, except for one song that has lyrics in Finnish, "...Ja Pimeys Laskeutui", the title of which can be translated as "...And Darkness Descended", (The last word "Laskeutui" can also be translated as "Fell", "Came" or "Landed").
The third demo CD of the band, Essence of Pain, raised the interest of the Italian label Avantgarde Music
Avantgarde Music
Avantgarde Music is an Italian record label, formed as a continuation of Obscure Plasma Records, focusing on black and doom metal artists. The label has a sub-label called Wounded Love Records, which has released albums by Dolorian and Taake....
. As a result, their debut album Sinthetic was released on March 29, 2004 under the aforementioned label.
In 2006, the band signed with the Finnish label Dynamic Arts Records. The same year, their second album, Intoxicate O.S., was released on May 24, 14 days after the release of the single Slitwrist Ecstasy
Slitwrist Ecstasy
"Slitwrist Ecstasy" is the first single of the second album by the Finnish Black Metal band Shade Empire. Again the band sticks to its traditional lyrical themes...
. Intoxicate O.S. had moderate success, reaching number 25 in weekly Finnish album sales.
After releasing the album, Shade Empire continued playing at several events such as Jörisrock and Qstock, mainly beside other Finnish artists. They also performed on a series of independent gigs. The same year, Shade Empire played their first official concert outside of Finland, in the encompassment of the Popkomm
Popkomm
Popkomm is an international trade show for the music and entertainment business, and also integrates a congress and festival. It is held in Berlin but has had entries from at least 55 other countries. Popkomm is organised by Popkomm GmbH, Berlin.- History :...
trade show in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
at the Kulturbrauerei
Kulturbrauerei
The Berlin Kulturbrauerei is a building complex. Originally built and operated as a brewery, its courtyards and unique architecture have been protected as a monument since 1974 and it is one of the few well-preserved examples of industrial architecture in Berlin dating from the end of the 19th...
(Culture Brewery).
Studio albums
- SintheticSintheticSinthetic is the debut album by the Finnish dark metal band Shade Empire. The ninth track, "End of Dreams", is not listed in the CD, it can be regarded as a bonus or simply an outro.-Track listing:#"Conjuration" – 4:50#"Pain & Pleasure" – 5:23...
(2004) - Intoxicate O.S.Intoxicate O.S.Intoxicate O.S. is the second full-length album by the Finnish dark metal band Shade Empire. The album was recorded at Studio Perkele in Finland.Intoxicate O.S...
(2006) - Zero NexusZero NexusZero Nexus is the third studio album by the Finnish metal band Shade Empire. It was released March 12, 2008 by Dynamic Arts Records.- Track listing :# "9 in 1" – 4:38# "Adam & Eve" – 4:21# "Blood Colours the White" – 4:15...
(2008)
Live & other albums
- Throne of Eternal Night (2000, demo)
- Daemon (2001, demo)
- Essence of Pain (2002, demo)
Present
- Juha HarjuJuha HarjuJuha Harju is a Finnish heavy metal musician. He is the vocalist of the Finnish dark metal/black metal band Shade Empire and dark-metal band Chaosweaver . He also plays bass in Black metal bands Ajattara and Deathchain...
– vocals - Janne Niiranen – guitars
- Juha Sirkkiä – guitars
- Olli Savolainen – synthesizers
- Eero Mantere – bass guitar
- Erno Räsänen – drums
External links
- Official Website
- Dynamic Arts Records
- [ Shade Empire] at AllMusic
- Shade Empire at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....