Since Leprous was founded in 2001, they've gone through a few changes in the line-up, and now consists of Einar Solberg (synth/vocals), Tor Oddmund Suhrke (guitar), Simen Børven (bass), Robin Ognedal (guitar) and Baard Kolstad (drums)
The young quintet have already made themselves visible on the Norwegian prog- and metal scene, and twice the band has made the finals in the Norwegian Rock Championship. Besides Leprous, the guys in Leprous are currently working as a session band of solo artist "Ihsahn", also known as the front figure of the legendary black metal band Emperor.
In August 2008, Leprous recorded their debut album "Tall Poppy Syndrome". As a result they caught the eye of several record companies, and ended up signing with the American label Sensory Records for a May 2009 release.
Prior to "Tall Poppy Syndrome", Leprous have recorded two demos which both received great accolades from the worldwide media, with the demo (self-financed full length album) "Aeolia" among other great reviews received a perfect 10 out of 10 score from the Norwegian webzine www.metal-norge.no. The band at that point decided to hold off on the search for a label to release their albums though, as they knew that they could create even better songs. And now, a couple of years later, "Tall Poppy Syndrome" is ready to hit the shelves.
Backed by Intromental Management & Booking Agency, Leprous spent 2009 promoting the release with numerous shows throughout Scandinavia, and entering 2010 the band and management laid plans for bringing the music of Leprous even further out to fans, by lining up shows around Europe and USA, as well as setting the band up as main support on Swedish orchestral metal band Therion's fall 2010 European tour, taking the band through no less than 17 countries in 30 days.
The music of Leprous is not an easy one to classify. Various genres are included, from progressive rock, to jazz, to pure metal. The vocals alternate between clean and growling, something which gives the music a heaviness it otherwise wouldn't have. To compare Leprous to other bands is practically impossible, but the closest comparisons would be bands such as Opeth, Arcturus, Porcupine Tree, Van Der Graaf Generator or Emperor. An interesting listening-experience for the open-minded music fan.
Studio albums
Tall Poppy Syndrome (2009)
Bilateral (2011)
Coal (2013)
The Congregation (2015)
Malina (2017)
Pitfalls (2019)
Aphelion (2021)
Live albums
Live at Rockefeller Music Hall (2016)
Demos
Silent Waters (2004)
Aeolia (2006)
Bilateral
Leprous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As result of confidence
Gains derived from destruction
Two easy ways out will collide
Pick your fight
Stand you ground
Common way
Withered words
Say no more
Tend your wounds
End this war
Hostile tradition
Hard to convert
Primitive instinct to fight
Vindictive reason
Enmity profound
Fundamental spite
How many souls is success meant to pay?
Who will be left to take part?
Where can defeat be the final accord?
What will it do to your heart?
Withered words
Say no more
Tend your wounds
End this war
The lyrics of Leprous's song Bilateral seem to be about conflict and the negative effects that come with it. The singer talks about how some people gain confidence from the destruction of others, leading to a collision of two easy ways out. The song then goes on to urge listeners to pick their fights and stand their ground, even if it's an unsound decision. The singer acknowledges that words have been withered and there's no point in saying more. Instead, it's better to heal from the wounds of war and end the cycle of hostility and vengeance.
The song seems to be commenting on the draw of conflict, how people may be compelled to fight due to tradition or primal instincts. The lyrics question the toll of success and victory, asking how many souls must pay the price for it. The song warns that winning a war can ultimately damage one's heart, leaving them with wounds to tend to. Overall, the song seems to advocate for peace and healing, urging listeners to break the cycle of hostility and enmity.
Line by Line Meaning
Rarely seen
Not commonly observed or experienced
As result of confidence
Arising from a state of self-assurance
Gains derived from destruction
Benefits obtained through the act of destroying something
Two easy ways out will collide
Two effortless options for resolution will intersect
Pick your fight
Choose what conflict to engage in
Stand you ground
Remain steadfast in your position
Common way
The typical or usual method
Though unsound
Despite being illogical or not reasonable
Withered words
Statements that have lost their power or impact
Say no more
Stop speaking further on the topic
Tend your wounds
Take care of your personal injuries or emotional distress
End this war
Bring about an end to this conflict
Hostile tradition
A practice marked by antagonism or animosity
Hard to convert
Difficult to change or transform
Primitive instinct to fight
An underlying tendency to engage in combat that is basic or elemental
Vindictive reason
Motivated by a desire for revenge or retaliation
Enmity profound
Intense hostility that runs deep
Fundamental spite
An innate or essential feeling of malice or ill will
How many souls is success meant to pay?
How much loss or damage must one incur to achieve success?
Who will be left to take part?
Who will be the remaining participants in the aftermath of this conflict?
Where can defeat be the final accord?
In what scenario would a defeat be the ultimate resolution or agreement?
What will it do to your heart?
What emotional toll will this conflict take on you?
Contributed by Adeline L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sur Som Satan
After listening to Leprous for a couple of years I've come to the statistical conclusion that this is their best album.
Darrell Maxfield
I think so too...
M S
Absolutely, the new stuff is art rock crap centered around Solberg´s AAA AAAA AAAA diarrhea from start to finish. Coal was a departure for this band in my books, and stopped following these guys after that album. Bilateral remains their best work to date.
JustShutUpNWatch
@M S yeah, their latest album has the "AAAA" noises to a point where it's over saturated and annoying.
Gaillon Pierre
totally agree my friend their masterpice coal album is boring for my feeling ..
Mulukkis
Bilateral, Malina, The congregation. All among my all time favorite albums. Leprous is ridiculous. So talented, so creative, so unique.
James Allum
When the band loses it as 09:30 Damn that is intense! Would love to catch them live!
Нор Велкова
I know what you mean. Along with huge chunks of Thorn and Mediocrity Wins, those parts are so freaking sexy!
Peder Bartholdy
The ending of Waste of Air contains some of the best riffing I have ever heard. Completely fantastic musicianship! Very happy to have discovered Leprous!
Gokhan Aydogan
that end includes black metal riffing