Sirenia, from Norway, was formed in 2000 when composer, lyricist/guitarist/vocalist Morten Veland left Tristania to form the gothic band. Sirenia sounds like a mixture of gothic metal and rock with classical influences, as well as touches of black and death metal elements. Their sounds have a base in the drums and bass which are arranged in a dynamic and progressive way and supported by solid rhythm guitars, dressed with atmospheric keyboards and spiced with melancholic violins and 12-string guitars.

Leads become the core to melody for a track like ‘One By One’. The vocal styles are varied and are made up by occasional growls, screams, female backing vocals, clean male vocals, choirs, whispers and samples. Monika Pederson provides the lead female voice that is a focal point to each and every song with ‘My Minds Eye’ an excellent example how well those feminine layers work. She reminds me of Cristina Scabbia from Lacuna Coil.

According to the band’s website, the songs contain frequent atmosphere changes (I don’t know about the frequent part), and lyrics are based on reflections on life, death, love, hate, paranoia, anxiety and mental decline in general. There is a consistent sound quality throughout the record with a strong goth influence.