Myriads was formed in September 1997, in Stavanger on the west coast of Norway. The band comprises Alexander Twiss (clean-vocals, death-vocals, electric guitar, and acoustic steel- and nylon-string guitars), Mona Undheim Skottene (vocals, main-piano and keyboard), J.P. (electric guitar, and acoustic steel- and nylon-string guitars), Rudi Jünger (drums and percussion), and Mikael Stokdal (black-vocals, keyboard and piano). Alexander previously played in the local group Overfloater. Both he and Mona played in Twin Obscenity from November 1997 until July 1998. They both contributed on the Twin Obscenity album "For Blood Honour and Soil" released on Century Media. JP earlier played in a band with members now playing in Theatre of Tragedy and 122 Stab wounds.
Although Myriads’music defies categorizing, the group would describe their music as a fusion between metal and classical sounds. It also contains some elements of folk music and has some industrial parts. Myriads have no connection to any religion. Their lyrics are written by Alexander Twiss and Mona Undheim Skottene and are based on psychology, philosophy, and dreams, with dramatical elements. Especially on "Introspection" the lyrics are more heavily inspired by psychology than the lyrics on "In Spheres Without Time".
All the members of Myriads are experienced live musicians. Alexander and Mona have played with Twin Obscenity on the 26th of June 1998 in Engelsdorf in Germany at the "Under the Black Sun" festival.
In July 1998 Myriads recorded a four track demo-CD entitled "In Spheres Without Time" at Mansion Studio in Stavanger, produced by Øyvind Grødem. The demo-CD was sold out.
The 9th of April 1999 Myriads signed a record deal with Napalm Records. In June they recorded their first full-length album, also entitled "In Spheres Without Time" in Mansion Studio. The album was produced by Myriads and Øyvind Grødem, and mastered at Masterhuset. It was released worldwide the 22nd of November 1999.
Myriads have been on TV, and the newspapers Rogalands Avis, Adresseavisen, Byavisa and Bergens Avisen have featured interviews with the band. The newspapers Stavanger Aftenblad, Aftenposten and Bergens Tidende have featured articles with the band. The demo-CD was reviewed in Scream Magazine #46 (April/May 1999) and received great critics. Scream Magazine #50 (December/January) featured an interview with Myriads. "In Spheres Without Time" was reviewed in the same magazine and received 4 points out of 6. The CD was also reviewed in Belgia's Mindview Magazine (no. 64/December 1999) and received 5 points out of 7. Norway's biggest newspaper, VG, also featured a review of "In Spheres Without Time".
Myriads have received reviews and have had interviews in the following magazines: Orkus Magazin, Aftermath Music, Backstage, Metal Shuffle, Imhotep, Rip N' Tear, Unrestrained!, Highwire Daze, Grinder, Kogaionon Magazine, Eternity Mag. and Serenity Mag.
Myriads have been radio-interviewed five times. This includes an interview on monday the 8th of November 1999, in the program Roxrevyen Mandag on the radio station P3/NRK. Myriads have been played for 10 weeks in the program The Last Exit For The Lost on the radio station WVBR, in Ithaca, New York State.
Myriads debut concert was on the 12th of November 1999 at Knaus in Studentersamfundet in Trondheim. The concert room was crammed with people. Myriads had in April 2000 a Norwegian Tour with Atrox which was a great success.
In March 2001 Myriads recorded their second album, entitled "Introspection", in Tico Tico Studio (Children of Bodom, Sentenced and Impaled Nazarene) in Finland. It was produced by Myriads and engineered by Ahti Kortelainen in 5 weeks. "Introspection" was mixed by Ahti Kortelainen and Alexander Twiss in one week in late August 2001. "Introspection" was mastered by Göran Finnberg at The Mastering Room (Opeth, Dark Tranquillity and In Flames) in January 2002.
The artwork, layout and coverdesign was done by Tor Søreide, and the band photographs and portrait photographs were taken by Petter Hegre. The front cover photography of "Introspection" was taken by Emile Maximillian Ashley.
The material on "Introspection" is more varied that that on "In Spheres Without Time". The members of Myriads have all progressively developed as musicians, and the music is somewhat more technical now than it was earlier. Some songs are faster and heavier than the songs on "In Spheres Without Time". In contrast, "Inside" consists of Mona’s and Alexander's vocals together with a piano, a male choir, a string-sextet and an acoustic guitar. The acoustic guitar is more frequently used on "Introspection" than it was on "In Spheres Without Time". "Falling in the Equinox" is a totally acoustic song featuring Mona’s and Alexander's vocals. There are also some industrial parts on "Enigmatic Colours of the Night" and "Miserere Mei".
Myriads had a concert at Dark City at Blue Garden in Trondheim at friday the 23rd of November 2001. The concert was a success and 230 people came to see the band. Alexander and Mona played "Falling in the Equinox" from "Introspection" in Vår Frue Kirke in Trondheim the 16th of March.
"Introspection" will be released worldwide the 8th of April 2002 on Napalm Records.
Myriads will play at Dominion Goth Club at Hulen in Bergen on thursday the 18th of April. They hope to have a European tour after the release of "Introspection".
