Talvienkeli

Biography

Band's Picture

The band : biography

TALVIENKELI is a symphonic progressive metal band born in Lyon in 2012. Back then, the band consisted of seven members (Camille Borrelly and Sandre Corneloup on vocals, Pierre Besançon and Camille Vadin on guitar, Laëtitia Bertrand on bass, Pierre Cordier on keyboards and Paul Sordet on drums). A self-produced EP, Blooming, was recorded in 2014 with this lineup. Sandre Corneloup and Camille Vadin left the band soon after.

In 2016, the band signs with WormHoleDeath, an italian record label, and starts working on the production of their very first album, Hybris, which was released in Europe, U.S.A. and Japan.

In 2019, following the departure of Camille Borrelly, Pierre Cordier and Paul Sordet, the band welcomes Maïté Merlin on vocals, Thibault Chevalier on guitar and Florent Dumortier on drums. The new lineup is records a whole new album, In a World Full of Clouds which will be released on June 23, 2023.

The band : style and inspirations

TALVIENKELI affirms its identity by drawing inspiration from the various influences of each of its members: metal and progressive rock, death metal, jazz, French chanson... After being inspired for Blooming and Hybris by the symphonic metal classics (Epica, Nightwish), Talvienkeli is getting closer and closer to progressive metal.

The album : style and inspirations

The new album, In a World Full of Clouds, develops longer titles, up to 23 minutes, and offers faster and more complex rhythms than the band's previous releases.

This new album precisely revolves around the themes of change and evolution. The lyrics explore both the legacy of prehistoric and early humankind ("Listen", "Bulls") and the harrowing question of our society's future in the face of current crises ("In a World Full of Clouds”, “Upon the Shore”). Musically, the group uses both folk elements ("Bulls", "Above the Clouds") and modern polyrhythmic techniques mixed with the 7-string guitars of contemporary metal. The voice of Maïté Merlin workds particularly well with to these mixtures, between calls for revolt (“Fight”) and an musical interpretation of a french poem by Baudelaire (“L’Héautontimorouménos”).

The album was self-produced at the Sun Tzu Records studio thanks to the amazing Eliott Tordo, expert in folk melodies played on an ehru as well as the most modern metal styles.

Rewards

  • – TALVIENKELI won the second price to the regional springboard "Musique de RU" (Rhônes-Alpes, France) in 2015.
  • – TALVIENKELI made it to the semi-finals at the regional springboard Emergenza (Rhônes-Alpes, France) en 2016.

Band Members

Maïté Merlin : chanteuse, parolière

Biographie Musicale :

I started my musical journey in my mother's womb, attending rehearsals of my father's rock band, where he was the drummer. At the age of 5, I began playing the piano, and at 11, I had my first stage performances singing songs by Brel and Celine Dion in regional singing competitions. As a teenager, I started writing my own French lyrics, which I would sing in a rock band consisting of friends from high school. When I arrived in Lyon for my studies, I continued making music and performing concerts with a French rock band called Optimum. However, due to my studies and an opportunity in China, I had to leave the band. In China, I sang at Chinese weddings, corporate events, and more. It was in Liverpool where I first started composing guitar and vocal songs under the pseudonym Hoxy More. My song project came to life. I returned to France in 2015 and had the opportunity to perform as the opening act for Florent Pagny and Johnny Halliday in a stadium filled with 10,000 people! I enrolled at ENM (National School of Music) in the song department. I had numerous performances in Lyon and its surroundings, but I missed the energetic stage presence of a rock band. That's when I came across the announcement from Talvienkeli, who were searching for their new vocalist! The metal energy and atmosphere of the band immediately captivated me, and now I find myself part of the team, writing lyrics in English for the first time!

Influences

Beth Hart, Brel, P!nk, Queen, Jessie J.

Gear

Micro Shure SM 58

Picture by Emmanuel Marchand

Laëtitia Bertrand : bassiste

Biographie Musicale :

I started playing bass as a self-taught musician around the age of 16, out of curiosity and a desire to cover some songs from the bands I was listening to a lot at the time (Nightwish, 30 Seconds To Mars, Dire Straits, Pink Floyd). Over the years, I discovered bassists with strong personalities such as Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree), Nick Beggs (Steven Wilson), Bryan Beller (The Aristocrats), Sean Malone (Cynic, Gordian Knot), Brendan Brown (Ne Obliviscaris), Marcus Miller, and Avishai Cohen, and they greatly influenced my approach to the instrument. This pushed me to diversify my playing style by composing on basses with different ranges (4, 5, 6, 8 strings) or with various sensitivities (fretless, double bass). Since 2012, I have had the pleasure of working on these techniques with Talvienkeli and Pharnal (Progressive Rock, France) and, since late 2018, with Amon Sethis (Progressive Metal, France).

Influences

Porcupine Tree, Steven Wilson, Riverside, Soen, Haken, Karnivool, Gojira, Orphaned Land, Nightwish, Pink Floyd, Unitopia, Marcus Miller, Avishai Cohen, Snarky Puppy.

Gear

I use a fretted bass, Musicman Bongo 6HH, and a fretless, « Bird », by french luthier François Payen, build like the F Bass Alain Caron. I use EBS amps : EBS Reidmar 250 eand EBS Classic Line 410).

Picture by Caroline Pouget

Pierre Besançon : guitariste

Biographie Musicale :

Having been exposed to 80s Rock at a very young age, it wasn't until 2005 that I discovered my favorite music with the album "Once" by Nightwish. This sparked an endless quest for music and new bands from all horizons, such as Epica, Kamelot, Five Finger Death Punch, Arch Enemy, and even... Katzenjammer! I am heavily influenced by the keyboard sounds of the 80s and 90s, which I extensively use in my compositions. As for playing instruments, I started with drums and took a few lessons in my neighborhood. Feeling that those lessons weren't sufficient, I eventually taught myself to play the electric guitar, and I haven't put down the instrument since 2007. Nonetheless, my drumming practice provided me with a solid rhythmic foundation.

Influences

Nightwish, Epica, Kamelot, Five Finger Death Punch, Keith Merrow, Jeff Loomis.

Gear

I use Schecter guitars JL7 and ATX C1 and Line 6 Helix Floor with Laney LFR-112.

Photo par Emmanuel Marchand

Florent Dumortier : batteur

Biographie Musicale :

Rock and classical music-loving parents have nurtured my love for music since my early childhood. I started taking drum lessons at the age of 6 and continued until I turned 18. When I arrived in Lyon for my studies, I had to set aside my instrument due to lack of time and space, but my passion for music remained unchanged. In early 2019, I made the decision to truly get back into playing the drums by joining Talvienkeli and Pharnal. My favorite styles evolved throughout my adolescence until I discovered Opeth, which shaped my musical identity. Since then, my focus has been on progressive and experimental bands, pushing Metal into new horizons.

Influences

Opeth, Between the Buried and Me, Ne Obliviscaris, Hypno5e, Dream Theater, The Ocean.

Gear

I play a Mapex Meridian Birch, a snare Mapex Black Panther, Meinl cymbals, and double kick Pearl Eliminator Demon Drive.

Picture by Emmanuel Marchand

Thibault Chevalier : guitariste

Biographie Musicale :

I have been involved in music since I was little, but it was during my teenage years that I truly embraced rock and metal, learning bass guitar to play in bands. In 2012, I started playing the guitar to form a progressive rock band, Pharnal, with Laëtitia. Having followed Talvienkeli since their early days, accompanying them to concerts and assisting with technical aspects during recordings, I am thrilled to join them as a guitarist in early 2019! As a fan of 70s progressive rock, I draw a lot of inspiration from bands of that era in my compositions (Yes, King Crimson, Gentle Giant), while still maintaining the metal element that has shaped my musical tastes.

Influences

Steven Wilson/Porcupine Tree, Riverside, Yes, Pink Floyd, Snarky Puppy, Gojira, The Aristocrats.

Gear

I use a Schecter KM7-mk2 loaded with Seymour Duncan Nazgul & Sentient. I plug it in a HX stomp and lots of pedals.

Picture by Emmanuel Marchand

Anciens membres

  • - Geoffrey Turpin (orchestration)
  • - Camille Borelly (chant)
  • - Paul Sordet (batterie)
  • - Pierre Cordier (claviers)
  • - Camille Vadin (guitare)
  • - Sandre Corneloup (chant)