Hailing from Norway, Lunaris features members of Borknagar, 1349 and Spiral Architect. This is no "Super Group" or " Side Project" band though. Lunaris are a fully-fledged, fully working band with the ambition and dedication it takes to become a genuine force in the metal scene. With their skilled musicianship and exemplary song writ-ing skills it should be merely a formality for Lunaris to push their way to the top of the underground metal scene.

Lunaris recorded "...The Infinite" with drummer Asgeir Mickelson (Spiral Architect & Borknagar), guitarists Azarak (Spiral Architect & Satyricon) and M (backing Vocals), bassist and vocalist Maztema (Spiral Architect), vocalist Balfori (ex-1349) and keyboardist Ray. However, Mickelson is now out of the band and Lunaris replaced him with Janos Di Croce.

Several songs for the next album are already far into the development stage, and Ray has promised an even more technical and aggressive approach in the future. The band, true to the ethos of Elitist Records, will aim to constantly push and evolve their brand of extremity into entirely new dimensions. We at Elitist salute Lunaris' ambitions, and we raise a glass to a long and fruitful working relationship.

Lunaris was founded by guitarists M and Balfori in the fall of 1998. Balfori, who then appeared as guitar-player of 1349 (legendary drummer Frost from Satyricon´s side project), soon found his place in Lunaris as a vocalist. The spot of second guitarist was taken by the infamous Azarak (guitarist of Spiral Architect & Satyricon session). Later on formerly unknown keyboardist Ray was added to the roster. Two demos were released with this line-up, "Demo 2000" and "Creative Destruction". On "Creative Destruction" Asgeir Mickelson (Spiral Architect & Borknagar), who had previously been a member of the band, was hired as session drummer. Maztema, singer of Spiral Architect and Manitou fame, also stepped in to do some additional clean-vocals. With him also being a supremely skilled and original bass-player, he soon became a permanent member of Lunaris. This line-up went into the studio to record the band`s first studio album in February of 2001. This resulted in the 10 tracks that comprise "...The Infinite". Soon after the album was recorded, Janos, the drummer from the Italian band V.E.G.A., was drafted to fill the only vacant spot in the band. The album quickly prompted interest from several labels around the world. After a lenghty process of negotiations with several major labels one appeared from out of the blue that really caught our attention. This was the newly started Earache imprint Elitist, headed by Candlelight founder Lee Barret.

Lunaris represent a new breed of metal, breaking every rule within the genre to create something new and unique. The songs stem from mainman M, whose gift as a song and textwriter is surpassed by few. The addition of extremely competent musicians on all fronts makes Lunaris a truly unique experience. Individuality is the essence, and each member`s personal skill combined, evolves into the sound of Lunaris.

OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY (2002)