Nemesea

Nemesea is a Dutch alternative rock band, formed in September 2002 in Groningen, The Netherlands by singer Manda Ophuis and guitarist, songwriter Hendrik Jan 'HJ' de Jong and shortly thereafter completed with Sonny Onderwater on bass.[1] Initially, Nemesea were a symphonic gothic metal act, and were compared to Dutch compatriots After Forever.[2] However, since 2007's In Control, the band's music has become more rock-oriented, also incorporating strong electronic influences.[3]

Nemesea
Manda Ophuis of Nemesea on Bevrijdingsfestival 2008, Zwolle
Background information
OriginNetherlands
GenresAlternative rock, electronic rock, symphonic rock, symphonic metal, alternative metal, gothic metal (early)
Years active2002 – present
LabelsEbony Tears, Napalm
Websitenemesea.com
Members
  • Hendrik Jan de Jong
  • Sonny Onderwater
  • Steven Bouma
  • Mathijs van Til
Past members
  • Manda Ophuis
  • Sanne Mieloo
  • Lasse Dellbrugge
  • Frank van der Star
  • Chris Postma
  • Sander Zoer
  • Martijn Pronk
  • Berto Booijink

Biography

Early years

Following a three-song demo, Nemesea had their first performance as support act for After Forever in the P60 Amstelveen and remained that band's support for a year. They attracted record company interest and signed for the Dutch independent label Ebony Tears in November 2003.

Mana

In November 2004, Nemesea released their debut album Mana, touring the Netherlands, Belgium and other European countries extensively until December 2005. By this time, they were well-established in the European gothic/symphonic metal scene.

In Control and Pure Live @ P3

For their second album, Nemesea had talks with major record labels, but later decided to sign up to the Dutch crowdsourcing website Sellaband. They were the first band to raise more than $50,000 from fans in a three-month period. The album In Control, mixed by Ronald Prent and co-produced by Tony Platt was released on June 21, 2007.[4][5] A distribution deal was made with Rough Trade Records to bring the new album to music stores in Benelux on October 26, 2007. The band signed also a booking deal with Dutch agent AT Productions[6] and found a new manager in David Arden, brother of Sharon Osbourne and former manager of James Brown.

In 2009 a live album was released following the band's performances at the P3 in Purmerend. The two live shows were set up in full 9.2 omni surround to give the audience the feeling they were "immersed in sound". The live album Pure Live@P3 was released on September 7, 2009. The album was later on remixed and re-released as part of a special 5.1 surround album bundled with the 5.1 surround version of In Control with Ronald Prent again in charge of the 5.1 surround mix.

The Quiet Resistance

In 2010 Nemesea signed with the Austrian music label Napalm Records and preparations for their new album began, resulting in Nemesea's third studio album The Quiet Resistance, released November 2011.

In July 2010, the band announced they were recording their third studio album,[7] which they hoped would be early late 2011.[8] On a tight budget, recording at their home studio, new elements were added to the Nemesea sound developed on both previous albums. This resulted in more synth heavy, somewhat darker, bigger sound with melodic arrangements. The new song "Caught in the Middle" was posted on YouTube,[9] and was added to the track list of The Quiet Resistance.

The album's 14 songs contain three duets, one with Charlotte Wessels (Delain), one with BulletProof Messenger members Marcus Klavan (vocals) and Matt Litwin (DJ) and another one with vocalist Heli Reißenweber from Maerzfeld. For drums Nemesea attracted Frank van der Star and for keyboards/DJ Lasse Dellbrügge. The band reached out to producer and mix engineer Joost van den Broek for production and mix. The album was met with positive reviews and The Quiet Resistance helped grow Nemesea's fan base. "Afterlife" was released as a single and video and after the release Nemesea toured extensively in Holland and Germany.

Uprise

On August 9, 2012, guitarist Hendrik Jan de Jong posted a photo on his Facebook timeline stating that the band had officially started working on their yet to be named fourth studio album.[10] On April 2, 2015 the band began with early pre-production that resulted in three new songs in Key Studio's and Mastersound studios. The band posted the front cover of the album on their Facebook page on January 28, 2016, the stating that it would be called Uprise and the release date would be April 29, 2016. This was also announced by Blabbermouth.net.[11][12]

Uprise was recorded at the Giesound-studios in Zwolle. Producer Guido Aalbers (Muse, Coldplay, No Doubt) played a crucial role. Nemesea pushed for a more natural, organic, pure sound while avoiding over-production and adding electronics as a flavour this time. Former Nemesea drummer Steven Bouma joined Nemesea again in the studio. From the album 'Twilight' was released as a lyric video and 'Forever' released as a single and video on YouTube. According to the press Uprise is the testimony of Nemesea reminiscing after an emotional chapter of hanging on to the past whilst dealing with a new reality and allowing oneself (as well as others) to make the next step. With Uprise Nemesea has evolved from a metal band to a rock band with songs to match.

New singer

On August 1, 2016, Manda reported on Facebook that she is "giving up [her] dream of being a singer" and therefore has left the band. Later the same day the band reported on their homepage that Manda was going to focus on "her education job with highly gifted children". Nemesea also stated that they will continue as a band and that their previous drummer Steven Bouma had rejoined the band.[13]

In September 2016 Nemesea played on a festival in De Oosterpoort in Groningen, Netherlands. The festival was hosted by De Oosterpoort together with the record store Plato. The performance featured 5 different vocalists as Nemesea played various songs from the album Uprise. On October 10, 2016 Nemesea started the search for a new singer via social media, a newsletter and their website.

On May 19, 2017 Nemesea released their first single with new singer Sanne Mieloo called "Dance In The Fire". A music video was released on YouTube by Napalm Records on June 1, 2017.

Mieloo also occasionally played the role of Kala in the Dutch musical version of Tarzan and even appeared on the 2018 re-release of Andreas Nergård's The Haunted, taken from the 2018 re-release of his album Memorial for a Wish.

Uprise - singles re-release

In November 2017, a new version of "Hear Me", and in March 2018, a new version of "Twilight", both taken from the album Uprise, were released. Both songs were remixed and remastered and feature Sanne Mieloo on vocals. Additionally new samples and keyboard parts were added by Matthijs van Til.

White Flag

On June 24, the single Kids With Guns, taken from the upcoming album White Flag, was released. Napalm Records released a teaser before uploading the complete song to YouTube.

On July 22 the second single -Fools Gold- was released. The release included a lyric video which was uploaded to YouTube.

The 3rd and final single -White Flag- was released on August 19. That release also included a lyric video.

White Flag album

On August 23 the full album -White Flag- was released. The album contains 14 songs including -Dance In The Fire-, a single that was released in 2017. Recording (drums, percussion and bass guitar) partly took place in an empty house with the drums set up in the kitchen. Vocals, keys and guitar were partly recorded at different locations.

Mixing was done by Joost van den Broek who also mixed -The Quiet Resistance-. Mastering was done by Darius van Helfteren.

New Year's Day - single

On 1-1-2020 Nemesea released a single with HJ on vocals named "New year's day". A lyric video was released on YouTube.

Quote from the band: "Powerful words about faith & persistence that can bring people (back) together. This really spoke to us and is something we can relate to. Our New Years gift in 2020. Recorded in an abandoned house in 1 day"

WakeUP! - single

On 5-1-2020 Nemesea announced the release of a new single "Wake UP!" on their social media pages. The release date will be 21-5-2020

As expected Nemesea released the new single "Wake UP!" on 21-5-2020 on almost all music outlets at the same time. Announcements were made on their website and social media pages.

Members

Current line-up

  • Sonny Onderwater – bass, keyboards (2002–present)
  • Hendrik Jan de Jong – guitar, keyboards, vocals (2002–present)
  • Steven Bouma – drums (2006–2011, 2016–present)
  • Lasse Dellbrügge – keyboards (2019–present)

Previous members

  • Manda Ophuis – vocals (2002–2016)
  • Sanne Mieloo – vocals (2017–2020)
  • Lasse Dellbrugge – keyboards (2007–2015)
  • Frank van der Star – drums (2011–2015)
  • Chris Postma – drums (2002–2005)
  • Sander Zoer – drums (2005–2006)
  • Martijn Pronk – guitar (2002–2007)
  • Berto Booijink – keyboards (2002–2007)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums
  • Pure: Live @ P3 (2009)
  • Pure: Live @ P3 (2012) (Remixed and remastered)

Singles
  • No More (2007)
  • Forever (2016)
  • Dance in the Fire (2017)
  • Hear Me (Alternate Version 2017) (2017)
  • Twilight (New Vocal Version 2018) (2018)
  • Kids with Guns (2019)
  • Fools Gold (2019)
  • White Flag (2019)
  • New Year's Day (2020)

References


  1. "Nemesea - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com. Retrieved 2016-07-02.
  2. Archaic-Magazine.com :: Mana :: Nemesea/ Archived September 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Nemesea, elektronisk rock - Heavymetal.no". heavymetal.no. Retrieved 2016-07-02.
  4. John Tozzi (September 10, 2007). "Scoring Money from an Online Crowd". BusinessWeek. Archived from the original on December 18, 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-07.
  5. Rupert Jones (October 6, 2007). "Power to the fans - profits to the bands". The Guardian. Retrieved 2007-10-07.
  6. "AT Productions". AT Productions. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2016-02-10.
  7. "Nemesea News". Nemesea.com. 2012-01-20. Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved 2012-03-14.
  8. "Nemesea on Twitter: "@PrincessMeena95 Well... If all goes well, early this year. You have a fantastic day as well! ;-)"". Twitter.com. 2011-01-12. Retrieved 2016-02-10.
  9. "Nemesea Caught In the Middle". YouTube. Retrieved 2016-02-10.
  10. "Hendrik Jan HJ - Timeline Photos". Facebook. 2012-08-09. Retrieved 2016-02-10.
  11. "Nemesea - Timeline Photos". Facebook. Retrieved 2016-02-10.
  12. "NEMESEA To Release 'Uprise' Album In April". 2016-01-28. Retrieved 2016-07-02.
  13. "Manda Ophuis quits the band". Nemesea.com. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  14. "Nemesea Reveals New Album "The Quiet Resistance" Details". Metalunderground.com. Retrieved 2012-03-14.
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