Helena Iren Michaelsen

Helena Michaelsen
Background information
Birth name Helena Iren Michaelsen
Born (1977-06-02) 2 June 1977
Evje, Norway
Genres Symphonic metal, gothic metal, symphonic black metal
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1997–present
Labels Massacre Records
Associated acts Black Horizon, Black Widow, Trail of Tears, Epica, Nox, Imperia, Angel,
Website Official website

Helena Iren Michaelsen (born 2 June 1977 in Evje) is a Norwegian soprano and is the singer of the Dutch band Imperia and the solo project Angel. She was a former member of Sahara Dust (now Epica) and Trail of Tears.

Musical career

Trail of Tears (1997-2000)

Michaelsen started off as the female vocalist in 1997 for Norwegian gothic metal band Trail of Tears, succeeding after Ales Vik who departed from the band that same year. A year later, Michaelsen and the band recorded their debut album Disclosure in Red in which she sang contralto vocals and contributed to writing lyrics. In 2000, she again took role of contralto vocals in their second album Profoundemonium, which was last album to feature Helena.

Soon after, she was replaced by Cathrine Paulsen in May of that year.

Sahara Dust (2002-2003)

Two years after leaving Trail of Tears, she was selected by Mark Jansen (who had just left After Forever) as vocalist for his new band Sahara Dust; but she left not long after, replaced by then-unknown Simone Simons. The band was renamed Epica, inspired by the album of the same name by Tampa, Florida-based Kamelot that was released the same year.

Imperia & Angel (2004-present)

After leaving Sahara Dust, Michaelsen teamed up with Steve Wolz (who was to be the drummer for Sahara Dust) and the pair relocated to Norway. Upon their return to The Netherlands they formed the band Imperia.[1]

As Imperia, Michaelsen and Wolz recorded a cover of "The Lotus Eaters" by Dead Can Dance for a double tribute album with the same title released through the Greek label Black Lotus Records. The track subsequently was included in Imperia's 2004 album The Ancient Dance of Qetesh as a bonus track.[2]

Personal life

Michaelsen currently resides in Froland, she has 2 children—a son, and a daughter named Angel (born in 2004).

In 2013, Michaelsen discovered that a company owned by her neighbours was dumping toxic waste on her property, causing environmental concerns and poisoning her water supply. When she spoke up against them, they began harassing her, vandalizing her property, killing some of her horses, and threatening Michaelsen and her daughter with physical harm. Michaelsen did not give up in her campaign, and eventually the neighbours calling Child Protection Services, claiming Michaelsen was a drug addict and was abusing her daughter. CPS then took Michaelsen's daughter from her, leading her to attempt suicide by poisoning, although she survived the attempt. Michaelsen attempted to go to the government for aid, but discovered they were corrupt and would not help. Fans of Michaelsen attempted to reach out to the King of Norway and petition the government, but were unsuccessful.[3]

Discography

Imperia

Studio albums:

Singles:

  • Let Down (2011)

Compilations

  • Queen of Passion (2013)

Angel (Solo Project)

Studio albums:

  • A Woman's Diary - Chapter I (2005)

Singles:

  • Don't Wanna Run (2005)

Trail of Tears

Demos:

  • When Silence Cries... (1997)

Studio albums:

Guest Appearances

References

  1. ↑ "Steve Wolz". Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  2. ↑ "Steve Wolz". Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  3. ↑ http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1307&Itemid=35

External links

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