Mnemic

Mnemic
Origin	Aalborg, Denmark
Genres	Industrial metalcore Groove metal Progressive metal Melodic death metal Experimental metal
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Nuclear Blast
Associated acts	Scarve, Smaxone, One-way Mirror
Website	mnemic.com
Members
Guillaume Bideau Mircea Gabriel Eftemie Victor-Ray Salomonsen Simone Bertozzi Brian Larsen
Past members
Rune Stigart Brian "Brylle" Rasmussen Michael Bøgballe Mikkel Larsen Mark Bai Tomas "Obeast" Koefod

Mnemic ( /ˈniːmɨk/) is a Danish metal band, formed in Aalborg, Denmark in 1998. Their music has been described as a fusion between metalcore, melodic death metal, industrial metal and progressive metal, with additional elements of thrash metal and groove metal, to form a style the band themselves have described as "Future Fusion Metal."^[1] Named as one of Metallica's favorite bands,^[2] they have opened for Metallica in Europe both in 2007 and 2008.

The band have charted in the Top 100 in Denmark with The Audio Injected Soul and were the first Danish metal band to open the Orange Stage at Roskilde Festival in 2004, one of Europe's biggest mainstream festivals with 80,000 spectators.^[3] They have worked with Down and The Fugees producer Warren Riker on the Passenger album, collaborated with Roy Z (Judas Priest and Bruce Dickinson producer) and are featured on the soundtracks of Alone in the Dark, Echo (with Kim Bodnia) and Nordkraft movies.

They have released four full length albums, and have toured with bands such as Metallica, Deftones, Machine Head, Meshuggah, Arch Enemy, All That Remains, Fear Factory, The Haunted, Soilwork and God Forbid.

Biography

Formation and Mechanical Spin Phenomena

Mnemic (an acronym for 'Mainly Neurotic Energy Modifying Instant Creation') was formed in the town of Aalborg, Denmark in 1998, by vocalist Michael Bøgballe, ex-Mercenary guitarist Mircea Gabriel Eftemie, bassist Mikkel Larsen and ex-Invocator session drummer Brian Rasmussen. The band were signed to Nuclear Blast Records, and produced their first album Mechanical Spin Phenomena in 2002^[4] with producer Tue Madsen. After the recording of the album, Larsen was replaced by ex-Grope bassist Tomas "Obeast" Koefod.

The band toured with Disbelief, Darkane, Mystic Prophecy and Death Angel in Europe, and alongside Machine Head in Germany.^[5]

The Audio Injected Soul

In 2004, Mnemic recorded their second album The Audio Injected Soul, at AntFarm Studios in Århus, Denmark with Madsen. The album was notable for including a cover version of Duran Duran's "Wild Boys", and also for being the first album in the world to be recorded using binaural recording technology. This style of recording allowed enhanced audio for listeners with special head sets. The album debuted at 97 in the national Danism album charts.

The album spawned two music videos - "Deathbox" (directed by Patric Ulleaus), which was filmed at the Revolver Studios in Gothenburg, and "Door 2.12", which was filmed in Berlin.^[5]

Vocalist change

In 2005, vocalist Bøgballe left the band and was replaced by former Transport League and B-Thong vocalist Tony Jelencovich. Jelencovich filled in for the bands North American tour with Meshuggah,^[6][7] but was subsequently replaced in April 2006 by ex-Scarve vocalist Guillaume Bideau.^[8]

Passenger

Mnemic's third studio album, titled Passenger, was produced by Christian Olde Wolbers of Fear Factory, featuring artwork by Asterik Studios, and guest vocals by Jeff Walker (of Carcass and Brujeria) and Shane Embury (of Napalm Death, and Brujeria). The album spawned a music video for the song "Meaningless", directed by Patric Ullaeus of the Revolver Film company.^[9]

The album was released in February 2007, with the Japanese version containing a bonus track, titled "Zero Synchronized".^[5]

Sons of the System

Mnemic's fourth album Sons of the System was distributed via Nuclear Blast Records, and released in Europe on January 15, 2010 and in North America on January 26, 2010. It was recorded in the bands own studio, with producer Tue Madsen (who worked with the band on previous releases Mechanical Spin Phenomena and The Audio Injected Soul).

Sons of the System includes eleven tracks, plus three bonus tracks (including a worldwide iTunes exclusive, and a remix available in North America only). The band describes the production of the album as "Very eclectic, very diverse, and nothing that you would imagine coming from a band like us. Let's just say it has become more theatrical, more electronic, and just more catchy, as we have put all our focus on writing good songs and not being afraid of experimenting."^[10]

Band members

Tomas "Obeast" Koefod in 2007.

• Guillaume Bideau – vocals (ex-Scarve) (2006–present)
• Mircea Gabriel Eftemie – guitar, keyboards (1998–present)
• Victor-Ray Salomonsen Ronander - guitar (2011-present)
• Simone Bertozzi - bass guitar (2011-present)
• Brian Larsen - drums (2011-present)

Former members

• Thomas 'Obeast' Koefod - bass guitar (2003–2011)
• Michael Bøgballe – vocals (2001–2005)
• Mikkel Larsen – bass guitar (1998–2003)
• Mark Bai - Vocals (1998–2001)
• Rune Stigart – guitar (1999–2011)
• Brian "Brylle" Rasmussen – drums (1998–2011)

Touring members

• Tony Jelencovich – vocals (2005–2006)
• Victor-Ray Salomonsen Ronander - guitar (2009-2010)
• Brian Larsen - drums (2011)

Discography

Studio albums

Year of Release	Title	Label
2003	Mechanical Spin Phenomena	Nuclear Blast
2004	The Audio Injected Soul	Nuclear Blast
2007	Passenger	Nuclear Blast
2010	Sons of the System	Nuclear Blast [11]

Singles

• "Ghost" (2003)
• "Liquid" (2003)
• "Deathbox" (2004)
• "Door 2.12" (2004)
• "Meaningless" (2007)
• "Diesel Uterus" (2010)

References

1. ^ metalstorm.ee (February 24, 2009). "Mnemic Biography". http://www.metalstorm.ee/bands/biography.php?band_id=796&bandname=Mnemic. 
2. ^ revolvermag.com (February 24, 2009). "Metallica interview". http://www.revolvermag.com/features/post/metallica-the-best-of-the-rest/. 
3. ^ http://www.roskilde-festival.dk/uk/for_the_media/background/#c3756
4. ^ "Mnemic Biography". Rivadavia, Eduardo. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p580547. Retrieved 20 November 2009. 
5. ^ ^{a b c} "Mnemic Biography". http://www.musicmight.com/artist/denmark/aalborg/mnemic. Retrieved 17 November 2009. ^{[dead link]}
6. ^ "Mnemic announce new singer". http://www.thegauntlet.com/article/755/1293/Mnemic.html. Retrieved 17 November 2009. 
7. ^ "MICHAEL BøGBALLE LEAVING MNEMIC". http://www.archaic-magazine.com/article.php?aid=39361. Retrieved 17 November 2009. 
8. ^ "Mnemic announces new vocalist". http://www.thegauntlet.com/article/755/4592/Mnemic.html. Retrieved 17 November 2009. 
9. ^ "MNEMIC Reveals More 'Sons Of The System' Bonus Track Details". Nov. 18, 2009. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=130596. Retrieved 20 November 2009. 
10. ^ "MNEMIC: 'Sons Of The System' Bonus Tracks Detailed". Nov. 16, 2009. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=130476. Retrieved 17 November 2009. 
11. ^ Mnemic - New Album In The Making

External links

• Official website
• Mnemic on Myspace
• Twitter
• Flickr