BIOGRAPHY 2024
20 years of IMPERIA
IMPERIA is an atmospheric metal band distinguished by the versatile voice of Helena Iren Michaelsen, who spans a variety of styles from deep emotional expressions to powerful operatic performances and grunts. Their music is vibrant, heavy, bombastic, and orchestral, yet retains elements of pure metal. The band comprises musicians from Norway, Finland, Germany, and Belgium, making them a true cross-border ensemble.
IMPERIA’s journey began with their first release, a cover of “Lotus Eaters” for a Dead Can Dance tribute album in spring 2004. That summer, they played their debut gigs and recorded their first album, “The Ancient Dance of Qetesh,” released in autumn 2004.
In 2005, they embarked on another project of Helena’s called Angel, resulting in the album “A Woman’s Diary – Chapter I,” released by Black Lotus Records in spring 2005. This varied and less metal album showcased the band’s versatility and musicianship.
By the end of 2005, IMPERIA had written enough material for their second full-length album and teamed up with German Massacre Records. “Queen of Light” was released in early 2007. To support the album, IMPERIA toured European festivals like TUSKA in Finland, Battle Of Metal in Germany, and Magic Circle Festival II in Germany, and were featured on the MCM festival DVD with two live tracks.
In autumn 2010, IMPERIA started recording their third album, “Secret Passion,” in different studios across various countries. Released in 2011, it received excellent reviews in the metal press. The band played gigs in several countries and festivals like Metal Female Voices XI in Belgium and Magic Circle Festival in Helsinki.
In 2014, preparations for the next album began. In April 2015, IMPERIA entered Spacelab Studio in Germany and recorded 13 tracks for “Tears Of Silence,” released later that year.
In 2017, IMPERIA started writing new material and aimed for a more compact, direct album while retaining their signature sound. They teamed up again with Oliver Philipps for orchestral and vocal recordings and recorded drums at Fantom Studio in Finland with Samu Oittinen. Jacob Hansen, who had mixed “Secret Passion,” handled the mixing and mastering. The album, titled “Flames Of Eternity,” was released in early 2018.
In 2019, IMPERIA played at the Release Athens Festival in Greece. Shortly after, drummer Steve Wolz left to focus on family, and Merijn Mol, an old Dutch friend, replaced him. With this lineup, the band played at the Female Voices fest in Holland and another show in Belgium.
In early 2020, the band began recording their next album, finishing by April. They met in Germany for photo and video shoots in the summer. Oliver Philipps orchestrated, and Jacob Hansen mixed and mastered the album. Titled “The Last Horizon,” it was their most epic and grand album yet, split into two CDs.
In 2023, IMPERIA began writing new material in the style of its predecessor. By early 2024, the album was ready, mixed, and mastered by Jacob Hansen. The first single, “Better Place,” was released in summer 2024, and the album “Dark Paradise” followed on July 26. Welcome to the versatile musical adventure of IMPERIA.