Artifact (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Artifact
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = flagicon|Norway Stavanger, Norway
Genre = Industrial metal Alternative metal Progressive (at times)
Years_active = 2002 – present
Label = Spiralchords COP
Associated_acts = Sirenia Unpure This Negative Karma Deathfare
URL = [http://www.artifact.no www.artifact.no]
Current_members = Bjørnar Landa Pål Evensen Tor Arne Fassotte Svein Harald Kleppe
Past_members = Jan Henrik Vuyk Tom Roger Veslum Jan (Last name unknown)
Notable_instruments =

Artifact is a Norwegian Gothic metal band. The sound of Artifact is somewhat electronic due to the programmed beats and frequent use of industrial samples and synthetic noises. The music is not about instrumental virtuosity, rapid changes in time-signature and mind-boggling guitar solos. It's about pounding machine beats and raging guitars against ethereal synth backdrops and gothic mystique - a sound that has often been compared to that of Type O Negative (probably because of Tor Arne's deep and melodic voice), The Sisters of Mercy and Zeromancer. Other influences worth mentioning are: Rob Zombie, Ministry, Depeche Mode, Fields of the Nephilim or Nine Inch Nails.

History

Formation and Abandoned E.P. (2005-2006)

Artifact is a band from the city of Stavanger on the west coast of Norway, formed in late 2002. After a rough start and a long series of line-up changes, including five different vocalists and one drummer, the band settled on their current line-up in late 2004, when vocalist Tor Arne Fassotte of (Un)pure and This Negative Karma joined the band. In addition to Tor Arne, the group then consisted of guitarist Bjørnar Landa (who also plays with Sirenia and Deathfare), The Dictator, who takes care of the drums, samples and synths and guitarist Pål Evensen who programs The Dictator and writes most of the music. They released an ep, Abandoned, in 2005. It was sold through their website. It was sold out May 4 2007. They started a small touring to support the EP. They played 5 gigs only in Norway. During the summer of 2006, the band was joined by bassist Jan Henrik Vuyk. They were planing to record an album since they had enouth songs written.

The Only Salvation (2007-)

They started recording their debut album in 2007. Jan left the band in 2008 right after recording the new album. The new album contains only three new songs. The other songs has been released on "Abandoned" or through their website as a free download. However, the songs have been remixed and new parts has been added, as a new bridge, new intro etc. "The Only Salvation", was going to be released in the winter of 2007/2008, but they were not able to release it due to managements problems with Rock Management. Artifact signed a contract with Spiralchords and COP. The album was finally released in April 10 2008 on iTunes. It was released May 9 2008 in Germany, June 1 in Norway and June 10 2008 in the USA. "The Only Salvation" was awarded "Album of the Month" by "Zillo Music Magazine" (Germany). Svein Harald Kleppe joined the band as a drummer in April, 2008.

They are promoting The Only Salvation with a tour in Germany, Norway and some rumours say they will play in USA also.

Artifact will release a single. The chosen song is New Messiah. A video is rumoured to be filmed.

Discography

Albums

*"The Only Salvation" (2008)

ingles

*"New Messiah" (2008)

Ep's

*"Abandoned" (2005)

Members

Current

*Bjørnar Landa - guitars (2002-)
*Pål Evensen - guitars, keyboards, Bass guitar, Samples (2002-)
*Tor Arne Fassotte - Lead vocals (2004-)
*Svein Harald Kleppe - drums (2008-)

With:
*Ronny Fredriksen - Guitar (Live) (2008-)

Former

*Jan Henrik Vuyk - Bass Guitar (2006-2008)
*Tom Roger Thu - Lead Vocals (2003-2004)

External links

* [http://www.artifact.no/ Official website]
*myspace|artifact2|Artifact