Fan Survey

[Retsu]

Hello!

I am working on a Tristania fansite of my own. One of the pages I have planned involves having fans voice their opinions in regards to Tristania and their music.

However, without having the site actually up yet, I can't expect many people to just let me use their answers on the site.

I've made a small survey. Feel free to answer anything however you like. If you answer within reason (make sure your answer is related to the question) I will feature it on the site, giving you full credit.

Just copy and paste this with your own information. =]

Code: [Select]

[b]When and how you discovered Tristania:[/b]
[b]Favorite Tristania album and why:[/b]
[b]Favorite Tristania song and why:[/b]
[b]Reason(s) you love Tristania:[/b]
[b]Have you ever seen Tristania live? If so, how was it?:[/b]
[b]Things you'd like to see [more of] in Tristania's music:[/b]
[b]Other favorite bands:[/b]I will credit your username unless you want to be credited as something else. If you do, specify in your post!

Thanks so much for your time. =)

[pellevin]

When and how you discovered Tristania:

Nightwish had just snared me with their Oceanborn album. I was curious if their other album Angels Fall First held the same magic (it didn't), so I asked Napster for some Nightwish songs. It gave me "Nightwish - Heretique", wrong band but correct songtitle. I was understandably confused but loved the song, and when I eventually (after much digging) discovered who the band really was, I bought both their albums.

As this was my first growling experience, it was a bit intimidating at first. I quickly discovered Angellore, and skipped right to it whenever WW was in the player. After a while, My Lost Lenore got stuck too, then the rest of the album, and suddenly BtV went from being a massive wall of sound to this totally wonderful soundscape. I was in love!

I've sunk far down the heaviness mire since, now being really into black & death. The gothic vibe still enchants me, though, and in that realm Tristania are my undisputed kings.

Favorite Tristania album and why:

Very very difficult. I definitely love them all, without exception. As stated previously I'm very fond of the cliché-gothic vibe of their earlier work, but the latest albums are true masterpiece, full of diversity and innovation, yet still retaining that strangely wonderful Tristania magic.

...I'll have to go with Ashes as my final answer, but it's a very close call.

Favorite Tristania song and why:

I'm sitting in a corner of a dungeon-like café in Gothenburg. I've just bought the newly released World of Glass, now lying on the table in front of me. For the longest time I'm just looking at it, honestly a bit scared to listen to it. How will they have fared without Mortens brilliant growls and intricate composing? I badly want to be able to love this album, but I'm really scared of being let down.

Eventually I've braced myself enough. I plug in the earphones, press play, and am completely blown away by The Shining Path - what a masterpiece! Their heaviest delivery yet, and still somehow almost soothing in its melodies.

A very powerful memory, giving The Shining Path a special place in my heart.

NB: A few years later, I of course had a nearly identical experience with Ashes & Libre..

Reason(s) you love Tristania:

Well, they have it all, really. They use metal elements to great effects, but aren't afraid of venturing into "less cool" realms to complete their recipes. They are masters of contrast - not just the standard growl vs soprano (which they do better than most), but in every aspect of music, they play the full spectrum. On paper it all seems like a bad idea, but they pull it off so well it's really hard to find comparison. Added with the evolution and matureness on Ashes/Illumination, they are the most complete band I know. A bland answer, but it's the best I can do.

Being a teacher of languages, I've had a hard time regarding Mortens shakesperian lyrics as anything but rather bland and not seldom pretty bad. They fill a function, of course, I have no trouble seeing that, but still, I would definitely give his poetry a rather low grade. The seemingly uninspired anti-religious theme of World of Glass also left me unimpressed.

I have no trouble with this, I've long come to accept that quality lyrics aren't to be expected in the metal realm. For example, one of my favourite death metal crews, Katatklysm, get away with lyrics like: "I manipulate your soul / deep inside the core / raping your existence / in darkness"..

So I learnt to decouple my teacher brain part and just enjoy the music. But then, after WoG, something happened! The writing on Ashes & Illumination has an entirely different quality to it, with depth and pure litterary quality, giving the music yet another dimension. Making Tristania more powerful still..

Have you ever seen Tristania live? If so, how was it?:

I've seen them twice, both times absolutely wonderful.

Anecdote from my first time, Gothenburg 2005: I was, of course, much looking forward to seeing this mythical siren Vibeke live for the first time. Long dark hair, long black dress and that magical voice - how could experiencing her on stage be anything but nirvana?

And it was wonderful, of course. But, the biggest impression by far that night was left by Østen. What a presence he has! And what a voice! I dab in singing myself, and have from the beginning been impressed with his technique and the feelings he can conjure. Yet I was still unprepared when he stood there before me, weaving his web & making his magic. Wow!

Also, I learned in Oslo 2008 that Mary rocks, and everyone saying differently is plain wrong!

All this IMHO, of course, even if it's not so H.

Things you'd like to see [more of] in Tristania's music:

A very difficult question, given how complete their music is. Just look at Illumination - totally different servings, yet I fully agree with Anders when he writes about how they felt the songs formed a unity.

If I have to give an answer, I'd have to say I wouldn't mind more growls, but it's not a major complaint.

Other favorite bands:

Tristanias gothic brothers-in-arms: Trail of Tears, early Theatre of Tragedy, Draconian, Sirenia. Everything and anything folk-metal: Eluveitie, Arkona, Siebenburgen, Fejd, Glittertind, Moonsorrow, Agalloth. Singer-songwriters: Cohen, Zelmani, Knopfler. Death: Kataklysm, Dark Tranquillity, Amon Amarth, Hypocrisy. Black: Dimmu, Cradle, etc...

Thanks so much for your time. =)

No problem! Sorry if I ever so slightly overstayed my welcome..

[Elvenking]

When and how you discovered Tristania:

It was year 2000, I was 11 years old. My father gave me Beyond The Veil tape.

Favorite Tristania album and why:

Beyond The Veil. First that I've heard, so reminds me of my childhood Also it's the most powerful, magical and amazing. It's so original music. I've never heard better gothic metal album

Favorite Tristania song and why:

Hard to say, each album has some really nice songs. I'd hesitate between "Tender Trip On Earth" from World Of Glass album and "Of Ruins And A Red Nightfall" from Beond The Veil. First one has beautiful lyrics, also I love clean male vocals there and some nice sounding keyboards. Second is quintessensce of powerful gothic metal. Very complex composition. I think it's one of my favourite songs ever and I think that's the best Tristania song so my vote goes for this composition.

Reason(s) you love Tristania:

Because it's original, not so mainstream (at least first two albums for sure ). All songs are wrote perfectly, and each album is closed entirety. Everything in its place; just wonderful

Have you ever seen Tristania live? If so, how was it?:

Unfortunately I haven't occasion

Things you'd like to see [more of] in Tristania's music:

Back to the roots - more music like first two albums.

Other favorite bands:

Oh I have many, because my musical taste varies from country to death metal and also classical music But important bands (players) for me are Iron Maiden, VNV Nation, Samael, The Sins Of Thy Beloved, Therion, Nile, Behemoth, Stratovarius, Danzig, Johnny Cash and Richard Wagner. (order is random )

[Andariel]

1. When and how you discovered Tristania?

It happend in 2001. I was 15 years old and I just started to experiment with gothic metal. Some months earlier I discovered Theatre Of Tragedy and I wanted more and more so my boyfriend gave me "Beyond The Veil". His friend recommended him this album for me :] I didn't have much time to listening this album every time I pushed "play" on my CD player. Truly? I didn't like it For me it was to operatic and I don't like bands like Therion Then I had the second occasion when I got "Widow's Weeds" album and when I heard "December Elegy" I knew it...I felt in love...for ever

2. Favorite Tristania album and why?

I like every single album of Tristania, but...I think "Ashes" is the closest one for me Earlier I just bought these albums which were in music shops yet, but for "Ashes" I had to wait. First I saw in music newspaper couple of new songtitles, then photos from new promo photosession. I remember these shivers down my spine Then came out this album and I just love these songs, full of magic and...pure evil :]

3. Favorite Tristania song and why?

Hmmm...I can't pick the favourite one, but I can choose the fav one from every album so:
- "December Elegy" from "Widow's Weeds" holds so strong emotions with its lyrics, violin and Vibeke's whispering. I have to say that it's the song that makes me cry.
- "Heretique" from "Beyond The Veil". It's my ringtone :] I really adore Jan's voice in this song.
- "The Shining Path" from "World Of Glass". When I'm listening this song I always see the beautiful redhead witch singing in flames...
- "Shadowman" from "Ashes". This song is so hypnotic and...really frightend me :]
- "Lotus" from "Illumination" has a very emotional chours. I like especially this song in Mary's interpretation.

4. Reason(s) you love Tristania:

With their music you just can't be bored. You can find here everything you want in music with mood. I don't know how they do this, but no other "gothic metal" band can make me listening their music for the longer than a while...

5. Have you ever seen Tristania live? If so, how was it?

Yes, I saw them twice- one with Vibeke, Kjetil, Rune and Kenneth (Poland, 2004) and one with Mariangela, Ole and Tarald (Czech Rpb./Masters Of Rock, 2008). It was just an amazing experience, every time... I'm hoping for more, of course.

6. Things you'd like to see [more of] in Tristania's music:

Please, just stay yourself! It's the only thing that guarantie you my endless love :]

7. Other favorite bands:

Oh, I have so many favourites bands, from every genre of music! Hmmm, for now I can mention Infected Mushroom, Halluciongen, Pati Yang, Juno Reactor, Audrey Horne, Profanum, Satyricon...

[drug_wonderland]

When and how you discovered Tristania?

I discoverd them at the end of 2006, I saw a promotional pic of Ashes on a Magazine.

Favorite Tristania album and why

Ashes, because of the perfect production, lyrics, voices and instruments. Never saw an album as perfect as Ashes.

Favorite Tristania song and why:

I guess Bird, because of the shocking lyrics and perfect production (I get a tattoo of a bird, partly based on the song)

Reason(s) you love Tristania:

No tags to do their music, original vocals, interesting lyrics

Have you ever seen Tristania live? If so, how was it?:

No 

Things you'd like to see [more of] in Tristania's music:

More songs with no female vocals

Other favorite bands:

For now I am loving Depeche Mode

[gazer]

When and how you discovered Tristania:

Relatively late, 2006, coming across songs almost by chance via a friend and then youtube.

Favorite Tristania album and why:

Ashes probably, but it's difficult to choose. For songs like Endogenesis and Cure.

Favorite Tristania song and why:

First song I heard stands out for me so if I have to choose one I would say The Modern End.

Reason(s) you love Tristania:

To be honest biggest reason is Vibeke's voice, I wouldn't say I am the biggest "gothic" fan, listening to songs like The Modern End or Endogenesis pretty much explain the main reason.

Have you ever seen Tristania live? If so, how was it?:

No unfortunately, being in Canada doesn't help much.

Things you'd like to see [more of] in Tristania's music:

The Heavy aspect perhaps, without losing what Tristania is.

Other favorite bands:

Some thrash like Kreator, Overkill and some metal like Judas Priest and Saxon.

[Zen.]

When and how you discovered Tristania:

Through a friend .. a couple of months before Ashes came out. 

Favorite Tristania album and why:

Either World Of Glass (for Tender Trip On Earth and The Shining Path .. or Ashes (Endogenesis is my favourite Tristania song)

Favorite Tristania song and why:

Endogenesis, so many elements to this song, beautiful music .. amazing vocals, I could listen to it for hours on repeat

Reason(s) you love Tristania:

They have been branded "gothic" and which they are, but without any cheese to it.. their music is quite unique in this category.
Plus they put 110% of energy into all their performances !

Have you ever seen Tristania live? If so, how was it?:

Saw them a few years back here in London *Nightwish support*, amazing set.... very lucky night to have these guys on the stage

Things you'd like to see [more of] in Tristania's music:

The atmospheric sounds from songs like Evenfall and Endogenesis.. and more of the vocal styling from the latter.

Other favorite bands:

too many to mention, I like Rock, Metal, classic rock, Electronic .... I like alot of most things

[Zantar]

idk if this is too late or not but I wouldn't mind sharing:

When and how you discovered Tristania:

About a month before I turned 16 actually. I was looking up some nightwish songs on bearshare, and found a file titled Nightwish - Tristania. Which the song was by neither it was therions cover of carmina burana. but the name intrigued me. I looked up some tristania songs and discovered  evenfall, what a masterpiece! And then eventually I went and bought all their albums and loved all of them!!!

Favorite Tristania album and why:

I would have to say world of glass, because after the departure of their frontman at the time, they still kept their awesome tristanian sound.

Favorite Tristania song and why:
I would have to say Crushed Dreams. I've listened to music before going to sleep since i was about 7 or 8. And i had world of glass in my cd player and that song came on and I was blown away. The eerie intro, vibeke's singing and the majestic choirs, a work of art!

Reason(s) you love Tristania:
I never get bored listening to them, I am 19 now and have been listening to tristania for four years, I can't believe the time has gone by so quickly, but like i said, each album they bring something new to the table, and from judging what i heard on kjetil's introduction, this has continued and I welcome the sound the new album brings!

Have you ever seen Tristania live? If so, how was it?:
Unfortunately, I have not been able to seem them live.

Things you'd like to see [more of] in Tristania's music:
I only want for them to keep experimenting with different sounds. Your music has not gotten old and can stay fresh as long as you pour your ideas into the art you create!
Other favorite bands:
Oh so many but Cradle of Filth, My Dying Bride, Trail of Tears, Draconian, As Blood Runs Black, The Sins of Thy Beloved

[Sanguine_Divine]

When and how you discovered Tristania: Through a friend who sent me an mp3 of "Equilibrium". In late 2004 or early 2005 I think...

Favorite Tristania album and why: World Of Glass, (but I really love all the albums for the different things they offer) the lyric themes and the choirs. And this can and probably will change depending on my mood.

Favorite Tristania song and why: "Wormwood", It just moved me when I first heard it. I love the chorus and the lyrics. If the world was about to end, I could play this song and die happy .

Reason(s) you love Tristania: They create amazing music. What more can I say?

Have you ever seen Tristania live? If so, how was it?: Sadly, no. But I am hoping this will change.

Things you'd like to see [more of] in Tristania's music: Violins and whatever else they'd like to offer, as long as it's not hip hop or country influences (lol).

Other favorite bands: Draconian, Theatre Of Tragedy, Sirenia, The Doors and countless others.

[Lady Draconian]

When and how you discovered Tristania:
Back in 2005, I was downloading Lacuna Coil and happened to come across as song title "Lacuna Coil - Tristania" which was really Tristania's Beyond The Veil. I fell in love.
Favorite Tristania album and why:
World Of Glass. The atmosphere, lyrics, everything. It's just perfect!
Favorite Tristania song and why:
Hatred Grows (or Cure or Destination Departure). This song has so much energy and gives me a really nice vibe. Osten's voice here is lush and Vibeke's vocals are just heavenly. The electronics are subtle but a nice tone too and the thick bass. How I love it so much!!
Reason(s) you love Tristania:
The atmosphere and energy. They are so unique too!
Have you ever seen Tristania live? If so, how was it?:
Not yet.
Things you'd like to see [more of] in Tristania's music:
I could say violins I'd also like to have some more subtle elctronic sounds back
Other favorite bands:
Pythia, Closterkeller, Within Temptation, Draconian, The Agonist, Arkona, The Sins Of Thy Beloved, Deathstars, Behemoth, Cradle Of Filth etc.

[Reumeren]

When and how you discovered Tristania:
2006-2007 ish... I read the wikipedia article on Gothic Metal and there was a 20 sec sample of 'Angina'. Then after watching a youtube version of the whole song I went and listened to their whole discography from beginning to end.
Favorite Tristania album and why:
Beyond the Veil (easily)
Favorite Tristania song and why:
...of Ruins and a Red Nightfall or Apheleon or December Elegy... maybe Midwintertears
Reason(s) you love Tristania:
Crunchy guitars and harsh vocals contrasted with fast string-arrangements and latin choirs... how could you go wrong?
Have you ever seen Tristania live? If so, how was it?:
Nope, even though they just live on the other side of my country.
Things you'd like to see [more of] in Tristania's music:
I liked the music the way it was before Ashes, so I can't really expect them to return to that sound after they changed. It would be cool with perhaps longer songs and less ''muddy'' production.
Other favorite bands:
Theatre of Tragedy, Draconian, Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, Sirenia (and Mortemia perhaps), Cradle of Filth and After Forever.

[Funeralord]

When and how you discovered Tristania:
Mid 2008, I had just begun listening to metal. The first 4 metal bands I listened to were Therion, Within Temptation, Epica and old Theatre Of Tragedy. I loved ToT so I went to wikipedia and started reading about them and about gothic metal and saw other 2 bands mentioned together with ToT: The Sins Of Thy Beloved and Tristania. So I listened to TSOTB and loved it, too, so the next gothic metal band I listened to was Tristania (at the same time I begun listening to funeral doom metal). At first I loved WW, BtV and WoG as much as I loved TSOTB and ToT, but didn't quite like Ashes or Illumination. But after some months Ashes grew on me and I realized how awesome it was, and THEN is when Tristania became my favorite "gothic metal" band, by far.

Favorite Tristania album and why:
Ashes, it's so complex; it's beautiful and ugly at the same time, some lyrics are haunting and others are really fu**ed up and creepy, it's aggresive and calmed... I don't know, it's hard to explain

Favorite Tristania song and why:
"The Wretched", hard to explain why... the lyrics, the voices, the guitars, the cello... It's beautiful but creepy... And I can't resist headbanging to it  

Reason(s) you love Tristania:
It's so complete, I never get bored of them. From their early "pure" gothic metal which combines so many elements, different vocal styles, black metal and doom metal influences, symphonic "epicness"; to their experimental works on Ashes and Illumination, which have incredibly great and memorable lyrics (some of them very wicked, like Circus or Libre  ), they never cease to amaze me. Their discogaphy is so varied; in fact I think it's hard to believe that after World Of Glass, they could have created something so different like Ashes, but they did and it's a masterpiece!

Have you ever seen Tristania live? If so, how was it?:
Not yet, but I hope I will someday  

Things you'd like to see [more of] in Tristania's music:
Hmmmm... After Illumination, I'd like to hear some more growling, but it's alright as long as they keep making such great music

Other favorite bands:
Emperor and Evoken Together with Tristania they are my 3 all-time favorite bands
Other bands/artists which follow closely: Dismal Euphony, Khanate, Solitude Aeturnus, London After Midnight, Anorexia Nervosa, Ahab, Ihsahn, Peccatum, Dark Angel, Death, Nile, Immortal, Sunn O))), Moonspell

[Patient 222]

When and how you discovered Tristania:

Sometime in 2007 i think. I came across Beyond the Veil in my brother's music, but didn't think all that much of it at the time (was going through a bit of nu-metal phase at the time and the only remotely gothic band i liked was Moonspell). Came back to it a while later and found Illumination too and was impressed with Mercyside and Sanguine Sky. Eventually i also got into a lot of other Gothic/Symphonic bands and soon Tristania became a firm favourite.

Favorite Tristania album and why:

Difficult choice; i really like all of them for different reasons, but i would say either World of Glass or Ashes. I was blown away by The Shining Path and the lyrics of The Shining Path, Wormwood and Crushed Dreams spoke volumes to me and i found myself agreeing with every word. I loved the darker (and somewhat depressive in places) sound of Ashes and the more complex, slightly cryptic lyrics. Although some of the heavier tracks took a while to get used to (like Libre), they have become some of my favourite songs and after looking at the lyrics of Libre again, i started to connect a lot more with the song.

Favorite Tristania song and why:

Once again, difficult choice. I think it has to be The Shining Path, the sound has such a fantastic sound and the agressive chorus is epic. On the other hand, there are lot of other songs that could be firm contenders. The Ravens is another favourite, as are Libre and Shadowman from Ashes. If i'm in a particularly gothic mood, Evenfall and Cease to Exist are great.

Reason(s) you love Tristania:

Combination of the music and lyrics. Both are great and the lyrics are something that i really connect with (given the state of the world we live in at the moment).

Have you ever seen Tristania live? If so, how was it?:

No, but hope to someday . Would like to be able to hear Mary sing live without having to watch bad quality youtube videos.

Things you'd like to see [more of] in Tristania's music:

More keyboards , and more of Tristania's music in general. Would also love to hear new versions of Libre and Sanguine Sky mit Mary.

Other favorite bands:

Theatre of Tragedy, Lacuna Coil, Dimmu Borgir, Draconian, Ram-Zet, Katatonia.

[The Dude]

first of all, I don't think there is much fans in my part of the world- Bangladesh. So I can't brag!
When and how you discovered Tristania:
In 2004 a friend suggested BTV to me. Since then \m/
Favorite Tristania album and why:
As a noob fan I've only listened to BTV; but I believe it'll remain my fav even after checking the other albums
Favorite Tristania song and why:
Beyond the Veil, Aphelion- they contain such powerful lyrics n provocative music
Reason(s) you love Tristania:
There is simply nothing like Tristania!
Have you ever seen Tristania live? If so, how was it?:
NO 
Things you'd like to see [more of] in Tristania's music:
Aggression, Howling!
Other favorite bands:
Metallica, Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Eluveitie, In Flames, Led Zeppelin, Guns N Roses, Tool, Slipknot, Eternal Tears of Sorrow

[Mr. Jack]

When and how you discovered Tristania:

It was on 2006

Well, before I discovered, I liked Nightwish, and I discovered a song called Evenfall, I thought that it was great.One year after that, I decided to look for this song. The song name (Evenfall) was right, but the artist (Nightwish &Tristania) was wrong.
I was surprised, because the woman's voice was exellent, and I realized that it was not Tarja Turunen. So I decide to look for information about this band: "Tristania". I discovered that the band existed and I listened to their music, I LOVED it.

Favorite Tristania album and why:

I can't decide, I love BTV, but I love WOG too.
I like BTV because it's aggressive but calm, I like its growls and its choirs.
I like WOG because I like its sounds effects, as Crushed Dreams or Hatred Grows, but I like Vibeke's voice too.

Favorite Tristania song and why:

There're too many, but,
from Tristania (MCD)=All
  ''    Widow's Weeds=Preludium, Evenfall, ...postludium
  ''    BTV= Aphelion, A Sequel Of Decay, Lethean River
  ''    WOG= The Shining Path, Crushed Dreams, Hatred Grows
  ''    Ashes= Endogenesis
  ''    Illumination= Deadlands, Destination Departure, Down, Sacrilege.

Reason(s) you love Tristania:

It's hard to explain, but simply I love Tristania because I love their mixing of growls, choirs, Vibeke's voice, symphonic instruments, drum, keyboard, etc...

Have you ever seen Tristania live? If so, how was it?:

No

Things you'd like to see [more of] in Tristania's music:

More mixing of aggressiveness (growls) with choirs. But what I want the most, it's Vibeke to come back.


Other favorite bands:

Cradle Of Filth, Within Temptation, After Forever, Dark Tranquillity,Haggard, etc...

[Darth-Angina]

When and how you discovered Tristania:
It was in 2000, I was just getting into metal, getting to know the bands and a friend of mine suggested to try out Tristania. The first song by them I ever heard was December Elegy and I was hooked, because it was something completely new to me, I loved the vocals, the music, and just how the song was extremely intense and frail at the same time. From then on, I found Beyond The Veil and fell in love with it completely.

Favorite Tristania album and why:

Beyond The Veil. Partly, because it was the first album by Tristania I heard, and it was its rich and powerful sound that made me love the band. Up to date I still believe it is by far the best album Tristania has ever made, it's diverse, energetic, organic, explosive, each and every song is a story for itself and together they just blend together so well.

Favorite Tristania song and why:

It's hard for me to choose one, I guess December Elegy holds the magic for me as being the first song by Tristania I have ever heard, and Angina which was the song I loved the most when hearing Beyond The Veil for the first time.

Reason(s) you love Tristania:

Mainly because it combines the music I love so much: metal, classical music, symphonic music, opera and goth music. I have a very diverse musical taste and Tristania just combines the ones very dear to me. No other symphonic or gothic metal band has impressed me such as Tristania did, because I always find something missing in their music, whilst Tristania had it all.

Have you ever seen Tristania live? If so, how was it?:

Yes, I saw them live when they were touring in 2004 with Trail of Tears and Therion. It was an amazing show, especially for me that time when I was a die hard fan and hearing and seeing them live was the highlight of my life then. I still think it was one of the best concerts I have ever been to.

Things you'd like to see [more of] in Tristania's music:

What I really miss the most is probably the basic sound, which used to be more powerful and rich. I miss the choirs, operatic vocals, growls and the orchestral part. And of course, the lyrics. The lyrics in Widow's Weeds and Beyond The Veil were like poetry to me. But I'm not quite sure I would want Tristania back on their path now when it's basically a completely different band, heading in their own specific direction with the new sound.

Other favorite bands:
There are so many, I can write for aeons. I have a very diverse musical taste though, I enjoy a lot of different genres of metal (symphonic, gothic, extreme gothic, black, melodic black, melodic death, gothenburg, nu, avantgarde, thrash, industrial), and also rock, hard darkwave, new wave, new romantics, pop, ambiental, EBM, punk and so on. But my all time favourite band remains HIM.

----
If you are to copy this on your site you can credit me as Ines.

[9999]

When and how you discovered Tristania:
Year 2004. I mostly listened to RPG soundtracks, as I liked their style of symphonic music, but also when they mixed it with metal (as in Castlevania's "Tragic Prince", Xenosaga's "Omega"). I was very oblivious to music beyond the local radio station which consisted mainly of nu-metal. Upon discovering Nightwish's "Once" in a BMG music catalogue, I was amazed to find that there was an entire genre of music that combined symphonics with metal. After exhausting the album, I scoured the internet for more of this "gothic metal". I was even more blown away upon hearing Angina and Angellore. I bought BtV soon after, and that's what I listened to exclusively for many weeks before finally digging into the rest of their discography.

Favorite Tristania album and why:
Beyond the Veil. Every song on the album has a different feeling, and it is incredibly diverse. To this day, I still listen to it a good amount.

Favorite Tristania song and why:
Leathean River. I like the melody, the synths, the violins. Not much to say here besides I like it.

Reason(s) you love Tristania:
I suppose because I discovered their music when the concept of "goth metal" was so alien to me. It was something unlike anything I've heard before, and it opened me up to extreme metal in general.

Have you ever seen Tristania live? If so, how was it?:
No.

Things you'd like to see [more of] in Tristania's music:
It's hard to say, as much of what I'd like to see has already been done in BtV and Ashes. More violins, cellos, and acoustic guitars, maybe.

Other favorite bands:
Morgul, Lunar Aurora, Theatres Des Vampires, Devil Doll, Ram-Zet, Cradle Of Filth, The Kovenant...