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)
Echo
Leprous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Anger filling the void
Rapid expansion of the sinful city
The darkness being my call
Strangers walking in my home
Sounds of you not there
I lack the will to care
All alone in city lights
Where you absorb the echo
Taste the layers of my heart
See it shatter
Mute the voice
No direction
No final call
Alone to make the right choice
Bound for terminal descent
Sacred simple mark
Devoted little testament
Every simple spark
Keeping it together
For my own sake
Retain any sudden urge
Defy the high stake
The lyrics to Leprous's song Echo evoke a sense of despair and isolation. The singer of the song is stuck in a state of self-pity and anger, as they struggle to cope with the rapid expansion of a sinful city. The darkness seems to beckon them, and they find themselves completely alone amidst the bright lights of the city. The strangers walking in their home and the sounds of their loved one's absence only make their feelings of loneliness and hopelessness more acute.
The chorus of the song is particularly poignant, as the singer asks the listener to "taste the layers of my heart, see it shatter, mute the voice". This suggests that they are experiencing a palpable sense of heartbreak, and that they are actively trying to silence the pain. They know that they must make the right choices, but they feel lost and directionless. The final verse of the song offers a glimmer of hope, as they vow to keep it together for their own sake, to retain their composure despite the high stakes.
Overall, the lyrics to Echo offer a raw, emotionally charged exploration of the human psyche. They speak to the feelings of isolation and hopelessness that many of us experience at different points in our lives, but they also offer a sense of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Stuck in self pity
I am feeling sorry for myself and cannot move past it.
Anger filling the void
I feel empty and am trying to fill that emptiness with anger.
Rapid expansion of the sinful city
The city around me is growing at a quick pace and is becoming more corrupted.
The darkness being my call
I am drawn to the darkness and negativity around me.
Strangers walking in my home
People I don't know are invading my personal space and making me uncomfortable.
Sounds of you not there
I hear things that remind me of someone who is no longer present.
Never seen the night so dark
The darkness around me feels extremely heavy and overwhelming.
I lack the will to care
I am feeling apathetic and indifferent towards my surroundings.
All alone in city lights
I am surrounded by people in the city, but still feel completely alone.
Where you absorb the echo
I want to be around someone who can hear and understand the echoes of my thoughts and feelings.
Taste the layers of my heart
Explore the depths and complexities of my emotions.
See it shatter
Watch my heart break and fall apart.
Mute the voice
Silence the voice in my head that's causing me pain and confusion.
No direction
I feel lost and unsure of where to go next.
No final call
I am living in the moment with no long-term plans for the future.
Alone to make the right choice
I must make important decisions without anyone else's help or input.
Bound for terminal descent
I am on a path towards self-destructive behavior.
Sacred simple mark
A significant and memorable moment in time that feels pure and untainted.
Devoted little testament
A small but significant gesture of dedication or loyalty.
Every simple spark
Every small moment of joy or inspiration that helps me keep going.
Keeping it together
Trying to maintain my composure and keep from falling apart.
For my own sake
I am doing this to protect my own well-being.
Retain any sudden urge
Fight against any impulsive or self-destructive urges.
Defy the high stake
Overcome difficult challenges and push through hard times.
Contributed by Benjamin I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.