Benea Reach

Progressive metalcore/atmospheric sludge metal band based in Oslo, Norway. Active Years: 2003-2014 Benea Reach was formed on 22 March 2003 by drummer Marco Storm and vocalist Ilkka Volume of Selfmindead fame. They were joined by Morten (bass guitar), Tor (guitar), Erik (guitar), and Anders (Digital Audio). This original incarnation of the band only lasted a year and disbanded. During this time a live demo EP had been recorded. In 2004 the pair gathered four new members, most notably Christer Espevoll, formerly of Extol. The band recorded a demo of the song "Pandemonium", which was distributed among different record labels. After receiving good responses the band signed a deal with Tabu Recordings and released their first full-length Monument Bineothan which got the band nominated in the 35th Annual Spellemannsprisen for the metal category against Enslaved, Gorgoroth, and Keep of Kalessin. In August 2007 the band announced on their website that they would soon be recording their follow-up to "Monument" with acclaimed Danish producer Tue Madsen. On 26 December 2007 via the band's official Myspace, Benea Reach announced their forthcoming album Alleviat, which was released in Scandinavia February 2008. Around October until November 2008, Benea Reach embarked on tour with The Chariot and The Satire. On 14 May 2009 the band confirmed via their official Myspace the departure of guitarist Håkon Sagen, earlier that year. In October 2009 the band toured India, with concerts at The Great Indian Rock Festival in Pune, Delhi and Bangalore from 23–26 October and at Thomso '09 Cultural Festival of IIT Roorkee on 31 October. On 11 January 2014, Benea Reach announced that they would be disbanding after their last scheduled shows in March. Their previous band name was Selfmindead.