Susperia may have their roots in Norway’s black metal scene, but that is merely a starting point for a band that describes their music as “extreme metal with melodic twists”. Their simple philosophy of “no boundaries” – as reflected on the album ‘Unlimited’ – demonstrates how Susperia have no hesitation in embracing and exploring a variety of musical avenues with ease. They feel that originality is the essence of surviving the music industry today and their willingness to experiment has seen development and progression over their three-album career, to a point where they are managing to carve out their own identity within the metal genre.
The origins of the Oslo based band can be traced back to 1998 when Tjodalv, then occupying the drum seat with Dimmu Borgir, and long time friend Cyrus (Satyricon, Old Man´s Child) would get together regularly to share ideas and write songs. These sessions developed rapidly into the foundations of what would eventually become the band Susperia. By March 1999 Tjodalv had left Dimmu Borgir to concentrate fully on building a band that was capable of sharing one vision and performing a challenging style of music. A chance meeting between Athera and Tjodalv at 1999’s Wacken Festival in Germany proved to be beneficial and would eventually lead to the completion of the Susperia line up. Athera had been handed a CD of ideas that Tjodalv and Cyrus had been working on. Suitably impressed by what he heard, Athera wasted no time in agreeing to join the fledgling band, bringing along with him from his own band, bass guitarist Memnock and guitarist Elvorn.
With the line up complete Susperia entered Pitfire Studios near Oslo to record the five-song ‘Illusion Of Evil’ demo, which immediately caused a buzz with various record labels. A bidding war ensued with ten labels chasing the bands signature. Susperia eventually opted for Nuclear Blast, finalising their deal in early 2000. October of the same year saw the band hard at work in the legendary Abyss Studios, Sweden producing their debut album ‘Predominance’. The album was released to critical acclaim in March 2001, with the international press praising Susperia as one of the freshest and most interesting bands around at the time. Tours with In Flames, Nevermore, Lacuna Coil, Dimmu Borgir and a headline appearance at Portugal’s Extremo Open Air Festival followed, placing the band in front of excited audiences around Europe.
The second album ‘Vindication’ followed in 2002 with the band once again utilising Abyss Studios for the recording. ‘Vindication’ equally impressed both fans and critics alike, being championed as one of extreme metals’ groundbreaking albums. However cracks were beginning to appear in the bands’ relationship with Nuclear Blast, mainly due to a lack of live promotional support from the label. As a result the band took their destiny into their own hands and asked to be released from their contract. They subsequently parted company with the label on amicable terms. Summing up the situation at the time, vocalist Athera commented, “we couldn’t sit on our arses waiting for something to happen”. Despite the upheavals, Susperia still managed to get out on the road, appearing mainly at European festivals, but also fitting in a performance at the Milwaukee Metalfest in the USA.
By 2003 the band were fielding offers from various labels, eventually finding a new home with upcoming Norwegian label TABU – a division of TUBA Records. After sorting out their business affairs, Susperia set about writing their new album. Retreating to the tranquillity of Memnock’s cabin in the Norwegian woods, they shut themselves away for four weeks and aided by a touch of alcohol, wrote the songs that would appear on ‘Unlimited’. Recording of the album took place at Subsonic Studios in Norway and Studio Fredman in Sweden, with production duties handled by the band. However prior to entering the studios to record the album, Susperia had a couple of “firsts”, undertaking tours of the UK and headlining dates in Mexico for the first time.
With ‘Unlimited’ Susperia came of age, producing their best selling album to date. It was an album that showed a new maturity in song writing and performance. The five highly skilled musicians combined their technical prowess and individual personalities to deliver one of the metal genres outstanding albums of 2004. Entering Norway’s ‘Official Album Chart’ at Number 43, the album quickly became a favourite with both fans and media around the world. Further recognition came with a nomination in the 'Metal' category for Norway's respected ‘Alarm’ awards. In the USA, ‘Unlimited’ made an immediate impact, becoming the third most added album at influential CMJ Loud Rock Radio and achieved the number three position on the ‘Crucial Spin Charts”, while the video for the song ‘Chemistry’ received regular TV airplay on MTV Headbangers Ball and Havoc TV amongst others. The band was creating an impact in both Europe and the USA. An exhausting nine-week European tour in support of ‘Unlimited’ late in 2004 established the band as a great live experience.
The increasing profile paid off in 2005 when the band was invited to be the main support on the ‘Reunion European Tour’ of Bay area thrash legends Testament. September 2005 saw Susperia release the ‘Devil May Care EP’ which contained a collection of original and cover songs along with promo videos. The EP was intended to be a low-key affair whilst the band worked on material for their next full-length album, but the release took everyone by surprise when it reached number 19 on Norway’s official ‘Hit List’. As a result the band created a piece of music history by becoming the first home grown act in the metal genre to achieve a Top 20 hit in the country. A short headline European Tour rounded the year off, leaving the band ready to concentrate on recording their fourth studio album in 2006.
As the band set to work on their fourth full length album, a new chapter is ready to unfold as Susperia look to expand their grasp on the music that has impressed so many.
More
Susperia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have come here just to strike you down
Of all the prospects it is you I've found
I hate to say this but there'll be no second round
Get in on, put all the shit on me
Trying your best to make me look so bad
I hate me, and you hate that
It is out, all the shit's on me
Trying my best to make a fool of myself
I hate that and you hate me Funny how we still get by
Of all the people I could choose hate from
I chose the ones that had me lifted off the ground
Can you see or must you be shown
What I am about and all that I do stand for
I don't see what you see
Sorry if I'm making you mad
This is all a part of me
Do you think that I'm all proud of myself?
It's for free, take it out on me
Don't believe we ever got by
Do we get by?
This is goodbye
More, give all that you've got
More, said more, is that all that you've got, more
Of all the prospects it is you I've found
So hate me all you want but I am gone
Hurting bad, you hunt me down
Trying you best to make me hurt like you do
You hate me and I like that
Sorry if you think you look bad
So give me now all you've got
Trying your best to end my life the hard way
You give up, I beg for more
Funny how we ever got by
The lyrics of Susperia's song "More" consist of an emotional confession about a relationship that has come to an end. The song starts with the singer asking the person on the ground how they feel, as if they have been knocked down by some sort of disagreement. The lyrics continue to say that the singer had chosen to hate the ones who had lifted them off the ground, which could have been interpreted as a way of saying that the singer feels betrayed by those who have brought them down. Both parties are then shown to be trying their best to bring each other down, with no one winning. The song then ends with the lyrics "Funny how we ever got by," which speaks to the complicated nature of relationships and how they can sometimes leave us wondering how things ever worked out.
The emotional lyrical content of "More" is further amplified by Susperia's use of aggressive music. It is said that Susperia is known for their technical and intricate music, which can be heard in the guitar riffs and drumming patterns in "More." These elements add intensity to the song and complement the passionate message that the lyrics deliver.
Line by Line Meaning
How do you feel lying on the ground?
Asking someone about their physical state while laying on the ground.
I have come here just to strike you down
Intending to harm or attack the person on the ground.
Of all the prospects it is you I've found
Out of all people available, you are the target of my actions.
I hate to say this but there'll be no second round
Regretfully admitting that there will be no opportunity for retaliation.
Get in on, put all the shit on me
Encouragement for the other person to blame all the problems on the artist.
Trying your best to make me look so bad
Efforts by the other person to damage the singer’s reputation.
I hate me, and you hate that
Self-hatred and understanding that the other person does not appreciate it.
Sorry if I made you feel sad
Apologetic for the other person’s negative feelings.
It is out, all the shit's on me
Conceding that it is the artist's fault.
Trying my best to make a fool of myself
Acknowledging that the artist is acting foolishly.
I hate that and you hate me Funny how we still get by
Both parties dislike each other, yet they continue to coexist.
Of all the people I could choose hate from
Recognizing that there were other options for hatred.
I chose the ones that had me lifted off the ground
Selecting those who had caused success in the singer’s life only to later betray them.
Can you see or must you be shown
Questioning whether or not the other person sees the singer’s point of view.
What I am about and all that I do stand for
Highlighting the singer’s values and principles.
I don't see what you see
The artist does not understand why the other person displays such hatred or disdain.
Sorry if I'm making you mad
Apologizing if the artist’s actions or words are angering the other person.
This is all a part of me
Claiming that the negative aspects of the singer’s personality are integral to who they are.
Do you think that I'm all proud of myself?
Questioning the other person’s opinion of the singer’s self-esteem.
It's for free, take it out on me
Offering a free opportunity for the other person to attack or blame the artist.
Don't believe we ever got by
Expressing doubt about the continued success of their previous coexistence.
Do we get by?
Questioning whether or not they can continue to coexist.
This is goodbye
Stating that this interaction or relationship is over.
More, give all that you've got
Requesting more effort or intensity from the other person.
More, said more, is that all that you've got, more
Challenging the other person’s capability and requesting they prove otherwise.
So hate me all you want but I am gone
Acknowledging the other person’s hatred while also announcing the singer’s departure.
Hurting bad, you hunt me down
Pursuing and inflicting pain on the singer.
Trying your best to make me hurt like you do
Aim to make the artist feel the pain that the other person feels.
You hate me and I like that
Acknowledging that the other person hates the artist, but the artist is not bothered by it.
Sorry if you think you look bad
Apologizing to the other person if they believe that their actions make them look negative.
So give me now all you've got
Challenging the other person to escalate their efforts.
Trying your best to end my life the hard way
Attempting to kill or destroy the artist in an intense or difficult manner.
You give up, I beg for more
When the other person gives up, the artist begs for their continued effort.
Funny how we ever got by
Commenting on how strange it is that they were ever able to coexist.
Contributed by Annabelle Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kelly Green
Once more...thx...