Aenima
Encyclopedia
Aenima is a Portuguese gothic rock
band from Almada
, formed in 1997. The name of the band is a play on the Latin
word "anima" meaning "soul". The band is notable for its guitar-based ambient sound and clear female vocals.
The band is quite often compared to Cocteau Twins
and Dead Can Dance
by critics.
Aenima was founded in 1997 by guitarist and producer Rune (previously with Millennium) and vocalist Carmen (previously with Poetry of Shadows and Isiphilon). They soon added bassist Paulo, guitarist Nor and drummer Hugo to their line-up. Carmen was band's main lyricist during her years with Aenima.
Aenima's debut LP album, titled "Revolutions", was released in 1999 by Symbiose label. Originally the band was signed for two-album deal, but their record label seen went out of business so Aenima had to look for another publisher.
The follow-up record, Never Fragile, was released by Equilibrium Music label in 2002. With its 6 tracks, Never Fragile is considered to be an EP
or Maxi-single. It was highly praised by the critics.
In 2003, Aenima released their second full-length album "Sentient" via US-based Middle Pillar Presents label, becoming the first European act to be signed by the label.
Carmen, who was the original vocalist who sung on three albums, left the band after "Sentient" was released. She was soon replaced with a new singer Susana, a graduate of Lisbon Conservatory. As of 2007, the band was working on recording of their new yet unnamed album.
Gothic rock
Gothic rock is a musical subgenre of post-punk and alternative rock that formed during the late 1970s. Gothic rock bands grew from the strong ties they had to the English punk rock and emerging post-punk scenes...
band from Almada
Almada
Almada is a municipality in Portugal, covering an area of 70.2 km² located on the southern margin of the Tagus River. Its municipal population in 2008 was 164,844 inhabitants; the urbanized center had a population of 102,357.The seat is the city of Almada....
, formed in 1997. The name of the band is a play on the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
word "anima" meaning "soul". The band is notable for its guitar-based ambient sound and clear female vocals.
The band is quite often compared to Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins were a Scottish alternative rock band active from 1979 to 1997, known for innovative instrumentation and atmospheric, non-lyrical vocals...
and Dead Can Dance
Dead Can Dance
Dead Can Dance are an ethereal neoclassical duo formed in Melbourne, Australia, in August 1981, by Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry. The band relocated to London in May 1982 and disbanded in 1998. Their 1996 album Spiritchaser reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top World Music Albums Chart...
by critics.
Aenima was founded in 1997 by guitarist and producer Rune (previously with Millennium) and vocalist Carmen (previously with Poetry of Shadows and Isiphilon). They soon added bassist Paulo, guitarist Nor and drummer Hugo to their line-up. Carmen was band's main lyricist during her years with Aenima.
Aenima's debut LP album, titled "Revolutions", was released in 1999 by Symbiose label. Originally the band was signed for two-album deal, but their record label seen went out of business so Aenima had to look for another publisher.
The follow-up record, Never Fragile, was released by Equilibrium Music label in 2002. With its 6 tracks, Never Fragile is considered to be an EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
or Maxi-single. It was highly praised by the critics.
In 2003, Aenima released their second full-length album "Sentient" via US-based Middle Pillar Presents label, becoming the first European act to be signed by the label.
Carmen, who was the original vocalist who sung on three albums, left the band after "Sentient" was released. She was soon replaced with a new singer Susana, a graduate of Lisbon Conservatory. As of 2007, the band was working on recording of their new yet unnamed album.
Discography
- 1999 - Revolutions (Symbiose)
- 2002 - Never Fragile (Equilibrium Music, EQM00002)
- 2003 - Sentient (Middle Pillar Presents, MPP00984)
- 2004 - Puppet Circus (Picture Disc)