Zonaria

Biography :

Zonaria is a Melodic Death Metal band from Umeå, Sweden, formerly known as Seal Precious. The band is currently signed to Century Media Records.


History :

Formed in 2001 by Simon Berglund, Christoffer Vikström, and Mikael Hammarberg, the band originally went under the name Seal Precious. Initially the band's style was power metal, with clean vocals. Several line-up changes prevented the band from recording, but after 2003, with the addition of second guitarist, Emil Nyström, and the band's name changed to Zonaria, they spent two years playing gigs in and around Umeå before recording and releasing, in 2005, what would be Evolution Overdose.

New material and touring

In the spring of 2006, Zonaria recorded the CD single "Rendered In Vain" (and later shot a video for it). After that, Zonaria toured outside of Sweden, opening for Finnish black metal band Impaled Nazarene on a European tour. In October, Zonaria announced they had signed a record deal with Swedmetal Records to release "Rendered in Vain"; later, the song was included in the video game The Darkness.

Record label and debut album

In November 2006, Pivotal Rockordings signed Zonaria, and soon after, the band entered Black Lounge Studios with Per Nilsson and Jonas Kjellgren of Scar Symmetry to begin recording their debut album; Infamy and the Breed which was released September 2007. In late July, bassist Jerry Ekman announced his departure and was replaced by Markus Åkebo. The band shot a video for the lead single, "The Armageddon Anthem," then toured much of Europe in the beginning of 2008 opening up for Marduk.

Century Media and beyond

On June 8, 2008, Zonaria announce that they had signed a deal with Century Media Records. They toured Europe in support of the new album with Satyricon and then joined Vader and Septic Flesh throughout November and December of 2008 as part of Vader's 25th anniversary tour. Their new album, The Cancer Empire, was released on 17 October 2008, was produced by Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman. They are currently writing for their new album. On January 16th it was announced that Zonaria would support Dark Funeral on their Decleration of Hate tour through mainland UK and Europe in March/April of 2010.


Band Members :

Current Members :

* Simon Berglund – Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar (2001 – present)
* Emil Nyström – Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals (2003 – present)
* Markus Åkebo - Bass, Backing Vocals (2007 - present)
* Emanuel Isaksson – Drums (2005 – present)

Former Members :

* Christoffer Vikström – Bass (2001 – 2003)
* Mikael Hammarberg – Vocals (2001 – 2004)
* Claes-Göran Nydahl – Drums (2001 – 2003)
* Niklas Lindroth – Drums (2003 – 2004)
* Johan Aronsson – Keyboards (2003 – 2004)
* Simon Carlén – Drums (2004 – 2005)
* Karl Flodin – Bass (2003 – 2005)
* Jerry Ekman – Bass (2005 – 2007)

Session Members :

* Gustav Svensson – Keyboards (2004 – 2005)


Discography :

Albums :

* Zonaria - Infamy and the Breed
* Zonaria - The Cancer Empire