SUSPERIA: 'Nothing Remains' Single Available On iTunes

"Nothing Remains", the new single from Norwegian metallers SUSPERIA, has been made avaialble via iTunes. The track is the first result of the band's collaboration with former DIMMU BORGIR keyboardist Mustis (real name: Øyvind Mustaparta).

"Nothing Remains" is the story about SUSPERIA frontman Athera (real name: Pål Mathiesen),who survived a massive heart attack, just to learn that his mother, his most important supporter during his recovery, died of a heart attack just weeks later. The song describes Athera's complex emotions of being a survivor after surgery of not less than four main arteries to the heart, but then going through the grief of losing his mother in the same process, and his struggle to fight his way back to life. The song and its history has led to massive media attention in the biggest newspapers and news sites in Norway after its release.

"Nothing Remains" has been described as a monumental epic Norwegian metal song — and is a taste of what to come on the forthcoming EP planned for release within a few months.

SUSPERIA represent Norway in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest. SUSPERIA will be joined by Mustis for the performance.

Commented Athera: "We are not afraid to lose credibility. A competition needs variation. We know how good our music is, with great melodies, energy and hooks in the songs. With this in mind, we want to let the big masses discover our music, and enjoy our hidden treasures."

SUSPERIA has released five albums and one EP, and has toured extensively in Europe. In addition, they were the first Norwegian metal band crack the Top 20 on the official single chart in Norway with their "Devil May Care" EP. Musically, they have evolved from playing what people used to define as black metal to pursuing a more traditional heavy metal/hard rock direction with clean vocals. "It is natural to develop and have new approaches," Athera states.

SUSPERIA was formed in 1999 and has had the same lineup throughout its existence. With the reintroduction of Mustis — who actually played synth on a SUSPERIA demo recording back in 1999 — a new aspect has been added to the band's sound. They are currently discussing a potential collaboration for a new album as well.

Commented Mustis: "It has been very inspiring to gather with SUSPERIA. Since Elvorn and I established our first band already in 1995 as kids, then meeting Memnock and knowing Tjodalv from my early days in DIMMU BORGIR, it felt very natural to sit down and start to be creative again together with my old friends.

"I don't think keyboard is for just any kind of metal band or band in general, but SUSPERIA have the open mind for this and the right elements for sure, and we agree that it can come something really good out of this.

"We made a killer song together that's going to be performed at the Norwegian Eurovision!!

"I really can't wait to perform again with a band that in a very dynamic way lift each other's instruments and Athera's amazing vocals all together."

Athera is currently busy with CHROME DIVISION (also featuring DIMMU BORGIR frontman Shagrath [a.k.a. Stian Thoresen] on guitar),which is planning to release a new album later this year, while Cyrus (real name: Terje Andersen) has been touring with DIMMU BORGIR as the group's session bassist. Despite this, the SUSPERIA guys promise to give the Eurovison Song Contest the highest priority.

Photo credit: Fredrik Arff/NRK