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Compiled & written in Feb. 2003
By EvilG
Freternia
The Swedish speed/aggressive/power metal band Freternia first
came to my attention in 2000 with the killer debut WARCHANTS &
FAIRYTALES (review).
Then again they were on a split CD with fellow countrymen Persuader.
Unfortunately
Freternia had some downtime and it looked like they would be gone for good.
However, they returned and reformed to release the superior follow-up CD A
NIGHTMARE STORY (review will be online with the Feb 2003 reviews).
We have a very limited supply of their latest album for sale while
supplies last! Drop by our CD store to check
on availability. Below is the band's history of what they have done so
far.
Current Line-up
L-R: Martin Tilander (drums) ,Pasi Humppi (vocals), Tomas Wäppling
(guitar),
Peter Wiberg (bass), Tommie Johansson (keyboards)
Discography
Biography (From Freternia.com )
The story of Freternia begins in the summer of 1998.
The first lineup: Tomas Wäppling - Lead vocals, Patrik Lund - Guitars,
Bo Pettersson - Guitars, Peter Wiberg - Bass, Stefan Svantesson - Drums.
In October 1998 the four-track demo "The Blood Of Mortals" was
recorded at StudioMega, Sweden. The CD was sent to a couple of labels in
Europe and USA without result for the band and the music never became
released for public.
Freternia recruited Tommie Johansson, only seventeen years old at the
time, to give their sound a push with keyboards. But then some problems occurred.
Pettersson and Wiberg decided to leave the band to start a project of
their own in the early spring of 1999. Meanwhile the remaining members
continued to work with material for a second demo and struggled to find
substitutes.
The solution became Mikael Bakajev replacing Pettersson and Wäppling
decided to play the bass himself. The material was finished and Freternia
went to StudioMega to record "Somewhere In Nowhere" in April.
This demo was also sent to labels all over Europe. A couple of days later
the band received a call from a small Swedish label named Loud N' Proud
records.
A deal was made for one full length album and new songs were written
but Tomas felt that someone else should take over the lead vocals. A great
singer was found in Pasi Humppi and in August the band were ready to
record "Warchants & Fairytales", the full length debut.
A short while after the recording of "W & F" Patrik Lund
decided to leave the band for personal reasons. Therefore, Andreas
Heleander was recruited to fill the gap. In July 2000 "W &
F" was released, almost a year after the recording.
The album got some reactions mainly from Germany & France but their
label had no opportunity to support a promotion tour. A few gigs were made
though and the Paris Club Dunois remains as the most memorable moment.
Unfortunately Loud N' Proud went out of business before the recording of
their second album. But Freternia had an idea of making a concept album
and with three songs in their bag they once again returned to the studio
to record a promotion CD in February 2001.
The promo CD was only sent to two labels but without result. At this
point Tomas felt very uncomfortable with the band and his role as
songwriting bass player. It led to a split when he one day decided to
leave the band. The breakup of Freternia was made official in April 2001
when Johansson decided to follow Tomas. This could have been the end, but
the story of Freternia fortunately goes on...
After some attempts to create a new project band the trio Wäppling,
Johansson, Svantesson decided to complete the lineup with Heleander,
Wiberg & Humppi and restart Freternia.
The promo CD was sent to a couple of labels and after a few weeks of
negotiations Freternia finally decided to sign for the Spanish Metal label
Arise records.
In April 2002 The band went to Studio Underground in Västerås and
together with producer Pelle Saether they recorded "A Nightmare
Story". One month after the recording Stefan Svantesson announced his
breakup from the band and a new drummer was found in Martin Tilander. The
Sweden Rock gig would become the last one with Stefan behind the drums.
Live at Sweden Rock 2002
Since it's release, there has been great response for "A Nightmare
Story". In late 2002 the band were enjoying some some well deserved
time off during the holidays. Now in 2003 the band continues to write new
songs and sometime this coming fall they plan to record! The band is also
searching for a lead guitarist. So far the trials have not resulted in a
suitable replacement....so there is still a missing spot in the lineup.
However, Freternia has confidence that this matter will be resolved soon.
Feel free to contact the band if you feel that you have what it takes!!!
Official Website: www.freternia.com
