Zonaria

Zonaria is a melodic death metal band from Umeå, Sweden. The band is currently signed to Century Media Records and released its sophomore effort, "The Cancer Empire" in October 2008. Zonaria first took form in 2002 under the leadership of guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist Simon Berglund along with axeman Emil Nyström (both were 15 at the time!). After two years of playing gigs in and around their hometown of Umeå , the band recorded and released their "Evolution Overdose" demo. Following its release, the band went through a succession of member changes, which ended with the induction of drummer Emanuel ”Cebbe” Isaksson and bassist Jerry Ekman (both at the ripe age of 17) in 2005. Meanwhile, the home-recorded "Evolution Overdose" demo -which showcased a unique style of traditional swedish death metal tinged with black metal and doom metal influences ranging from Hypocrisy and Dimmu Borgir to Arch Enemy - was well received in the European underground and beyond, catching the attention of USA-based label Pivotal Rockordings who previously released albums by Blinded Colony and Sonic Syndicate (Now on Nuclear Blast Records). In the spring of 2006, Zonaria was ready to record new material, but this time, with professional assistance. "Rendered in Vain", which featured three new songs, was recorded at Dimrakk Studio in Umeå and was mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren (Scar Symmetry, ex-Carnal Forge) at Black Lodge Studios with the addition of guest vocals by Christian Älvestam (Scar Symmetry, Unmoored) on the track "Attending Annihilation". Continuing with the lyrical themes of the apocalypse, armageddon, and the inevitable demise of humanity, "Rendered in Vain" proved to be a momentous step forward for Zonaria both lyrically and musically, selling out of stock as soon as copies could be pressed. Zonaria hit the road shortly after, first pulling hundreds of fans to local gigs and then opening up for legendary Finnish black metallers Impaled Nazarene on a European tour. Zonaria also shot a video for the song "Rendered In Vain" with Standard Film Team. The year 2006 marked the band's transition from local status to that of internationally renown artists. The band was also named the best Swedish Unsigned Artist in the prestigious Sweden Rock Magazine. Pivotal Rockordings signed Zonaria in November 2006, and soon after the band entered Kabyss Studios with Per Nilsson (Scar Symmetry) and Jonas Kjellgren (Scar Symmetry) at Black Lodge to begin the recording of Zonaria's debut effort, "Infamy and the Breed". In 2007, Zonaria released "Infamy and the Breed" and toured Europe supporting Pain. The next year, the band supported Marduk on a European tour and signed with Germany's Century Media Records, leaving former label Pivotal Rockordings on excellent terms. Line-up : - Simon Berglund - lead guitars & vocals - Emil Nyström - rhythm guitars - Emanuel Isaksson - drums - Markus Åkebo – bass Official Site : http://www.zonaria.com MySpace : http://www.myspace.com/zonaria