Dark
Sanctuary is a French band that was created in February 1996, which plays
"dark atmospheric" music. Their first official release was a 20 min
single track Mcd, " Funeral Cry ", released in 1997; at that time the
band only consisted in two members, Arkdae on keyboards and Marquise Ermia on
vocals.
In 1998,
the band wanted to increase its strength by adding new members, consequently
another keyboards player, Hylgaryss, a percussionnist/bassist, Sombre C�r and a violinist, Eliane, joined Dark
Sanctuary. Together, they recorded their 1st album, " Royaume M�lancolique " and made their first concert
in September 1998 near Paris.
In November
1999, they signed with Wounded Love Records and, after the 2nd violinist
Marguerite joined, they recorded their 2nd album, " De Lumi�re et d'Obscurit�
", which was released in November 2000.
But, right
after their recording sessions, Marquise Ermia left the band to carry on her
studies, and a new singer, Dame Pandora, thus joined Dark Sanctuary.
Their 3d
album, " L'Etre Las-l'envers du miroir " was recorded in March 2002
and released at the beginning of 2003, few months after the release of a
two-track single. This album, which has had a huge success in France and
Germany, definitely established Dark Sanctuary as one of the greatest bands in
this musical style.
After few
concerts in France, the band returned to Germany in order to record its 4th
album, " Les M�moires Bless�es ". This album was released in early
2004 and confirmed Dark Sanctuary's own style while providing a deeper
maturity, as well as new musical horizons. The same year, the band was on tour
in Europe, including a memorable date at the Wave Gothik Treffen, in the
majestic Leipzig's theatre.
Then the
year 2005 began with a major event: their first compilation, " Thoughts:9
years in the sanctuary " was released on the U.S label Projekt; it
summarizes no less than 9 years of career. The other event of the beginning of
this year is Dark Sanctuary's appearance in the tribute to Dead Can Dance,
" Summoning of the Muse ~ a tribute to Dead Can Dance ", also released
on Projekt.
In july
2005 Dark Sanctuary went back to Germany to record their 5th opus at the
E-Klangschmiede Studio. As a result,their new album " Exaudi Vocem Meam -
Part I " had been released in November 2005 and a year after, in November
2006, its sequel "Exaudi Vocem Meam � Part II" was brought to light
as well. These two opus have been warmly welcomed by the audience and are
considered as the most attained albums that the band has ever recorded.
Concerts through Europe followed, during which the band delightedly verified
its popularity.
During 2007
and 2008 the band had had a piece of work in hand with the 7th album, in
collaboration with a talented drawer. Troughout these two years Dark Sanctuary
had to face events, which have considerably delayed the creation of this album,
the most significant of them being the departure of the two violonists, Eliane
and Marguerite, members of the band during respectively 10 and 8 years.
At the
present time, Dark Sanctuary finishes off the recording of the new album, which
should be available at the beginning of 2009. This opus promises to be a
special one in the band's career: for the 1st time indeed the band has worked
with the well-known Spanish drawer Victoria Franc�s
in order to create an original and unique work.
Line-up
Dame Pandora : Vocals
Arkdae : Keyboards & Guitars
Hylgaryss : Keyboards & Guitars
Sombre C�r : Bass & Percussions
Alexis : Percussions
