Music Style Gothic Metal

Similar Artists Type O Negative, Sisters of Mercy, Fields of the Nephilim, Depeche Mode

Artist History Sydney band Meridian came to life in May 1994 with guitarist Karl Zeleny and drummer Peter Zantey joining forces to form what was to become primarily a Gothic Metal band. The pair found a bass player in Lemon Avenue’s [more recently Ikon's] Valerios, and things moved rather quickly from that point forward. Two weeks following vocalist David Wilkinson’s initiation into the group in July 1994, Meridian entered the recording studio to begin work on a five-track demo cassette entitled ‘Surreal Embrace’. The recording was completed by August 1994 and distributed internationally, the demo received praise from various publications and media organizations worldwide, resulting in record contracts with several independent labels [respectively]. 1995 brought the release of the album ‘Sundown Empire’ by fledgling German indie label Nyctalopia Records, the album sold over 2000 copies in Germany alone, receiving rave reviews from some of Europe’s leading alternative music publications, including Germany’s popular ZILLO magazine.March 1996 saw the album's release Australia-wide by yet another small indie label, the Melbourne based Heartland Records. The release was supported by a national tour [this time including new bass player Adrielle Spence]. While the initial Heartland pressing quickly sold out, Meridian elected to look elsewhere for a business partner with international resourses at their disposal. Such a partner came in the form of large U.K. independent label Music For Nations, so impressed by the band they made promises aplenty as to what collaboration between Meridian and MFN could bring [it was during this time that current bassist Elissa Walsh came on board]. The Music For Nations release of ‘Sundown Empire’ saw the light of day in December ’96, unfortunately during this time MFN was being taken over by Zomba Int. and the label’s priorities lay in promoting already established artists rather than newcomers. These circumstances led to Meridian taking a rather protracted break.After a considerably long time apart, and several respective solo projects later, Meridian rises from the ashes to focus on creating those melancholy sound scapes once again. Three quarters of the new album are already recorded, with more songs currently being written. So far, the track titles are ‘Harder You Fall’, ‘Sadness’, ‘Tainted’, ‘New Slavery’, ’Shutdown’ ‘Under The Skin’ and ‘Final Day’. The album will also include a critically aclaimed reworking of Dan Reed Network’s 1988 funk hit ‘Ritual’. While the possibility of releasing the long-awaited 2nd album on Music For Nations isn't on the shelf, Meridian is free to follow up on other label interest.

Group Members *Karl Zeleny - guitar, backing vocals *David Wilkinson - vocals, programming, guitar *Peter Zantey - drums *Elissa Walsh - bass

Instruments synth, guitar, bass, drums

Albums Sundown Empire

Press Reviews *"Meridian combine Goth and Metal elements in a very unique way and have a fresh sense for catchy melodies and excellent guitar riffs which they enrich with a forceful and epic touch." - FROM THE DRAGON’S MOUTH [Germany] *"Luckily for Sydney-based band Meridian, even the sane among us are occasionally prone to dying our hair black and acting depressed....Meridian’s “Surreal Embrace” is up there with the best of the genre." - METAL MASTERS [Australia] *"David’s vocals are deep, dark and sensual....There is so much emotion conveyed through this music and the keyboards add atmosphere also....What else can be said, superb recording." - SERPENT SPEECH [Australia]

Location Sydney, NSW - Australia

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