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Lunaris - Biography


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2004-

2001-2004

Biography

Lunaris was founded by guitarists M and Balfori in the fall of 1998. Balfori, who then appeared as guitar-player of 1349 (legendary drummer Frost from Satyricon´s side project), soon found his place in Lunaris as a vocalist. The spot of second guitarist was taken by the infamous Azarak (guitarist of Spiral Architect & Satyricon session). Later on formerly unknown keyboardist Ray was added to the roster.

Two demos were released with this line-up, "Demo 2000" and "Creative Destruction". On "Creative Destruction" Asgeir Mickelson (Spiral Architect & Borknagar), who had previously been a member of the band, was hired as session drummer. Maztema, singer of Spiral Architect and Manitou fame, also stepped in to do some additional clean-vocals. With him also being a supremely skilled and original bass-player, he soon became a permanent member of Lunaris. This line-up went into the studio to record the band's first studio album in February of 2001. This resulted in the 10 tracks that comprise "...The Infinite".

Soon after the album was recorded, Janos, the drummer from the Italian band V.E.G.A., was drafted to fill the only vacant spot in the band. The album quickly prompted interest from several labels around the world. After a lengthy process of negotiations with several major labels one appeared from out of the blue that really caught the band's attention, the newly started Earache imprint Elitist, headed by Candlelight founder Lee Barret.

To date, Lunaris has released two full lengths, "...The Infinite" in 2002 and "Cyclic" in 2004, both appearing on Elitist Records.

On January 7, 2005, the Lunaris camp released the following press release, on their former website: "Since the John Dee show in November, a lot has happened in the Lunaris camp. Circumstances both inside and outside of the band forced us to make some rather drastic changes that has affected the outlook of the band. In December, the decision to continue Lunaris as a three-piece unit consisting of M, Balfori and Ray was made. It was the right thing to do at the time, but it did not take long until I realized that I could not be a part of this either. I have decided to quit the band, leaving the Lunaris legacy to founding members M and Balfori. I will still handle the band's financial and commercial issues, and contribute with lyrics for the next album, but will not be involved in the songwriting process. Although "Cyclic" was very much a band effort, and an album we all are very proud of, Lunaris has always been a result of M's musical abilities. With a new album set to be made, I feel that I have nothing to contribute to the kind of music that is to be expected, and that if I make anything, it will differ to much from M's work to make a good album. Therefore the only right thing for me is to leave these responsibilites to the the other guys, and concentrate on what I do best. We all wish to thank Janos, HP and Dr. Dream for helping us moving Lunaris from a studio band to a live-act. There have been quite a few good times, and more will surely come, but in another setting. Stay metal" - Ray

On October 6, 2007, Ray announced he had rejoined the band, that Andreas Jonson (Spiral Architect) had also joined, and that Asgeir Mickelson, who had done session drums on "...The Infinite," would also play on the next album as session drummer.

On March 6, 2009, the band posted they had recorded a few songs, though no formal timetable has been set for a release.

(source: http://blogs.myspace.com/lunarisofficial