Zonaria

Infobox musical artist
Name = Zonaria


Img_capt =
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Umeå, Sweden
Genre = Melodic death metal [ [http://www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=1&sid=1&id=13798 THE METAL OBSERVER - Review - ZONARIA - Infamy And The Breed ] ]
Years_active = 2002 – present
Label = Pivotal Rockordings Swedmetal Records Century Media Records [ [http://www.metalstorm.ee/events/news_comments.php?news_id=6819 Zonaria - Sign With Century Media Records: News @ metalstorm.ee] ]
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.zonaria.com/ www.zonaria.com]
Current_members = Simon Berglund Emil Nyström Emanuel Isaksson Markus Åkebo
Past_members =

Zonaria is a melodic death metal from Umeå, Sweden formerly known as Seal Precious. The band is currently signed to Century Media Records.

Background

Formed in 2001 by Simon Berglund, Christoffer Vikström, and Mikael Hammarberg, the band originally went under the name Seal Precious. [cite web|title=ZONARIA: 'Rendered in Vain' Audio Samples, Video Clip Posted Online|author= |publisher= Blabbermouth.net|date= |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=54110|accessdate=2007-07-25] [cite web|title=Zonaria biography|author= |publisher= Tartarean Desire|date= |url=http://www.tartareandesire.com/bands/Zonaria/6576/|accessdate=2007-07-25] Initially the band featured a power metal style, with clean vocals. [cite web|title=Zonaria biography|author= |publisher= Metal Archives|date= |url=http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=40208|accessdate=2007-07-25] Several line-up changes prevented the band from recording for the first few years of the inception. In 2003 with the addition of second guitarist, Emil Nyström the band would change their name to Zonaria. Zonaria then spent two years playing gigs in and around Umeå before recording in the studio. In 2005, the band recorded what would be "Evolution Overdose" and released it in May, 2005. [cite web|title=Zonaria - Evolution Overdose information|author= |publisher= Metal Archives|date= |url=http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=82439|accessdate=2007-07-25] Following the release of the demo, the band again would suffer through changes in the line-up, which ended with the announcement of drummer Emanuel ”Cebbe” Isaksson and bassist Jerry Ekman. "Evolution Overdose" would catch the attention of then, upstart independent record label Pivotal Rockordings but would not land them a deal.

New material and touring

In the spring of 2006, Zonaria found themselves in the studio laying down new material for the CD single, "Rendered In Vain". It was then, Zonaria would begin to tour outside of Sweden, opening up for Finnish black metal band Impaled Nazarene on a European tour. [cite web|title=ZONARIA To Support IMPALED NAZARENE In Europe|author= |publisher= Blabbermouth.net|date= |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=51183|accessdate=2007-07-25] Zonaria also shot a video for the song "Rendered in Vain" with Standard Film Team. In October, Zonaria announced they had signed a record deal with Swedmetal Records to release their single "Rendered in Vain". [cite web|title=ZONARIA Signs With SWEDMETAL RECORDS|author= |publisher= Blabbermouth.net|date= |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=59889|accessdate=2007-07-25] The song, "Rendered in Vain" would also be featured in the video game, "The Darkness".cite web|title=ZONARIA: Debut Album Pushed Back To September|author= |publisher= Blabbermouth.net|date= |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=66310|accessdate=2007-07-25]

Record label and debut album

In November 2006, Pivotal Rockordings signed Zonaria to a recording contract. [cite web|title=ZONARIA Signs With PIVOTAL ROCKORDINGS|author= |publisher= Blabbermouth.net|date= |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=62295|accessdate=2007-07-25] Quickly after the signing, the band entered Black Lounge Studios with Per Nilsson and Jonas Kjellgren of Scar Symmetry to begin recording their debut album. Their full length debut, entitled "Infamy and the Breed" was released on September, 2007. In late July, bassist Jerry Ekman announced his departure. He was replaced by Markus Åkebo. The band shot a video for the lead single, "The Armageddon Anthem." The music video was recorded "in the largest crane factory in Scandinavia." [cite web|title=ZONARIA Parts Ways With Bassist, Announces Replacement|author= |publisher= Blabbermouth.net|date= |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=77557|accessdate=2007-07-25] Zonaria also toured much of Europe in the beginning of 2008 opening up for Marduk. [cite web|title=ZONARIA Checks In From The Road|author= |publisher= Blabbermouth.net|date= |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=88350|accessdate=2008-04-02]

Century Media and beyond

On June 8, 2008, both Zonaria and their previous label Pivotal Rockordings would announce that they had signed a new deal with Century Media Records. [http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=100488] They are currently slated to team up with Vader and Septic Flesh throughout November and December as part of Vader's 25th anniversary as they tour Europe. [cite web|title=VADER, SEPTICFLESH, ZONARIA To Team Up For European Tour |author= |publisher= Blabbermouth.net|date= |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=93494|accessdate=2008-04-02] . Although a date is unconfirmed for the release of their debut on the new label, the album entitled "The Cancer Empire" was produced by Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman. [http://www2.centurymedia.com/index.aspx?page=detailed_artist&id_artist=208]

Discography

Demos and singles

Albums

Members

Current members

Simon Berglund – vocals, lead guitar (2001 – present)
Emil Nyström – rhythm guitar (2003 – present)
Markus Åkebo - bass (2007 - present)
Emanuel Isaksson – drums (2005 – present)

Former members

Christoffer Vikström – bass (2001 – 2003)
Mikael Hammarberg – vocals (2001 – 2004)
Claes-Göran Nydahl – drums (2001 – 2003)
Niklas Lindroth – drums (2003 – 2004)
Johan Aronsson – keyboards (2003 – 2004)
Simon Carlén – drums (2004 – 2005)
Karl Flodin – bass (2003 – 2005)
Jerry Ekman – bass (2005 – 2007)

ession members

Gustav Svensson – keyboards (2004 – 2005)

References

External links

* [http://www.zonaria.com Zonaria - official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/zonaria Zonaria - official MySpace]