Gardenian

Infobox musical artist
Name = Gardenian


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Origin = Gothenburg, Sweden
Genre = Melodic death metal
Years_active = 1996–2004
Label = Nuclear Blast Listenable Records
Associated_acts = In Flames Passenger Headplate Engel
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Past_members = Apollo Papathanisio Niklas Engelin Robert Hakemo Thim Blom Håkan Skoger Kriss Albertsson Jim Kjell

Gardenian was a Swedish melodic death metal band from Gothenburg that was formed in 1996 and disbanded in 2004.

Background

Gardenian was formed in April 1996 by drummer Thim Blom and vocalist/guitarist Jim Kjell. Eventually, guitarist Niklas Engelin and bassist Håkan Skoger joined the band. Later in 1996, the band recorded a demo and sent it to Listenable Records who gave the band a record deal and booked Studio Fredman that same year so that the band could record their debut studio album.

In 1997, Gardenian released their debut studio album, "Two Feet Stand". After the album's release, the band was pretty dormant due to lack of interest by their label Listenable Records. At this point Niklas Engelin decided to join In Flames for some tours. However, eventually the band decided they needed to break off their contract with Listenable Records and dedicate themselves fully to the band, something which bassist Håkan Skoger felt he could no longer do since he wanted to focus on his other band Headplate.

After breaking off their contract with Listenable Records the band signed with Nuclear Blast. In 1999, Gardenian recorded and released their second studio album, "Soulburner", which was also recorded in Studio Fredman. This album featured guest vocals by Eric Hawk (ex-Artch) and Sabrina Khilstrand (ex-Ice Age). After "Soulburner"'s release the band toured with bands such as In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, Children of Bodom, Hypocrisy, The Kovenant, and Evereve.

In 2000, Gardenian recorded and released their third studio album, "Sindustries". This album was recorded in Abyss Studio and produced by Peter Tägtgren. Shortly after the release of "Sindustries", Gardenian felt disappointed with the way Nuclear Blast was treating them, so they broke off their contract. In 2003, Gardenian underwent major line-up changes and in 2004, the band disbanded.

Discography

Members

Final line-up

* Apollo Papathanasio – vocals
* Niklas Engelin – guitar
* Robert Hakemo – bass guitar
* Thim Blom – drums

Former members

* Håkan Skoger – bass guitar
* Kriss Albertsson – bass guitar
* Jim Kjell – vocals, guitar

External links

* [http://www.the-plague.net/garden.htm Interview with Jim Kjell]
* [http://www.666metal.com/interviews/showinterview.cfm?interID=16 2001 Interview with Jim Kjell]
* [http://www.bnrmetal.com/groups/gard.htm Gardenian at BNR Metal Pages]