Universum (band)

Universum are a heavy metal band from Adelaide, South Australia. The band completed formation in early 2007 and describe their sound a fusion of Scandinavian melodic death metal, new wave American metal, old school thrash metal and progressive metal. UNIVERSUM have released two albums to date, the debut album Leto Destinatus on 15 June 2008 and their second album Mortuus Machina on 1 January 2011.

Universum
Universum live in Australia
Background information
Also known asUniversum
OriginAdelaide, Australia
GenresMelodic death metal, metalcore
Years active2006−2012; 2018-present
LabelsRiot
Associated actsMors Principium Est, Hateform, Solution .45, Soilwork, Miseration, Nightrage, Mygrain
MembersAdam Soininen
Michael Soininen
Stephen Murphy
Jaron Soininen
Rachael Madden
Doug Clark
Past membersLiam Brophy

Band history

Formed in early 2006, their sound was influenced by such bands as Pantera, Death, and Iron Maiden. In 2007, Universum completed an eponymous demo. Soon Liam Brophy and Rachael Madden were added to the line up. Playing a string of Australian shows, Universum entered the Emergenza Battle of the Bands competition where they came away runners up in the South Australian state final, winning 'Best Vocalist' and 'Best Guitarist.'[1] Shortly following, the band recorded their debut album, Leto Destinatus, which was well received by critics.[2][3][4][5] The album was mixed and mastered in Sweden by the renowned Jens Bogren (Opeth, Soilwork, Amon Amarth).[6] The artwork was done by Gus Sazes,[7] and the album featured a guest solo by Tomy Laisto from the Finnish melodeath band Mors Principium Est. Following the album's release, the band were signed by Riot Entertainment. In October 2008, Universum embarked on their first Australian national tour, with the UK's power metal band DragonForce. They have also secured 2009 shows with Cradle Of Filth, Edguy, Cynic, Dark Funeral and Ensiferum. The band has featured on both the UK's Terrorizer magazine (Jan 2009, issue No. 180) and Metal Hammer's (Apr 2009, issue No. 191) covermount CDs.

On the back of releasing Leto Destinatus, Universum picked up a string of endorsements and in March 2010 Michael Soininen and Stephen Murphy were fortunate enough to be the first Australian guitarists listed on the Ibanez guitars web page artist roster.

In June 2010, the band confirmed on their Myspace page that they had parted ways with their longtime bassist Liam Brophy. He was replaced by Doug Clark

Universum released their 2nd album Mortuus Machina intended for 15 December 2010 but pushed back to 1 January 2011, and it featured guest appearances from vocalist Christian Älvestam (ex Scar Symmetry, Miseration), vocalist Tommy Tuovinen (myGRAIN), as well as guest guitar solos from Nightrage axe men Marios Iliopoulos [8] and Olof Mörck. Jens Bogren of Sweden’s Fascination Street Studios (Opeth, Soilwork, Amon Amarth, Katatonia) once again handled both mixing and mastering duties.[9]

Return

Universum stopped touring and producing new music in 2012, suggesting that they quietly disbanded. However on December 30, 2018, they shared a demo of a new song entitled "Burdened" on their Facebook page. They have not given any indication of whether a new album is in the works.

Members

Current members
  • Michael Soininen - Guitars & Clean Vocals (Since 2006)
  • Stephen Murphy - Guitars (Since 2006)
  • Jaron Soininen - Drums (Since 2006)
  • Rachael Madden - Keyboards (Since 2006)
  • Adam Soininen - Screamed Vocals (Since 2007)
  • Doug Clark - Bass (Since 2010)

Former Members
  • Liam Brophy - Bass (2006–2010)

Guest musicians
Name Contribution Band Additional information
Christian Älvestam Guest vocals Miseration, Solution .45, ex Scar Symmetry Vocals on the tracks "Sum of the Universe, Fractured Archetype, 2.0 - (Mortuus Machina)"
Ola Frenning Guest guitar ex Soilwork Lead solo on the track "Sum of the Universe - (Mortuus Machina)"
Tommy Tuovinen Guest vocals myGRAIN Vocals on the track "Asymmetric Dimensional State - (Mortuus Machina)"
Marios Iliopoulos Guest guitar Nightrage Lead solo on the track "Sum of the Universe - (Mortuus Machina)"
Olof Mörck Guest guitar Amaranthe, ex Nightrage Lead solo on the track "Asymmetric Dimensional State - (Mortuus Machina)"
Tomy Laisto Guest guitar Mors Principium Est Lead solo on the track "Ignite the Subconscious - (Leto Destinatus)"
Paul Wardingham Guest guitar (solo musician) Lead solo on the track "Aeon Displacement - (Mortuus Machina)"

Discography

Studio albums
Date of Release Title Label Peak Sales
15 July 2008 Leto Destinatus Riot
1 January 2011 Mortuus Machina

Demo
  • Self Titled (2007, demo)
gollark: ++tel setup
gollark: >daily
gollark: >help
gollark: >wizard
gollark: I fixed it.

References
  1. "Emergenza Battle of the bands South Australian State Final". Rip It Up Magazineript. Archived from the original on 22 July 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
  2. "Universum Metal-Rules review". metal-rules.com. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
  3. Blunt Magazine Issue 78 link
  4. db magazine link
  5. Tsunami magazine 8 November 2008 link
  6. "Leto Destinatus mixed by Jens Bogren - Sweden". fascinationstreet.se. Retrieved 3 August 2008.
  7. "Leto Destinatus art by Gus Sazes - Brazil". abstrata.net. Retrieved 3 August 2008.
  8. "Universum 'Mortuus Machina' - Marios guest appearance". Marios Iliopoulos. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
  9. "Universum 'Mortuus Machina' Official Press Release". Universum. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
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