Country of origin: Germany Location: Hendungen, Bavaria Status: Active Formed in: 1994 Genre: Symphonic Folk/Doom Metal, Neofolk Themes: Nature, Darkness, Sadness, Sorrow, Romance Current label: Prophecy Productions Years active: 1994-2006, 2010-present Since the release of A Wintersunset... Empyrium is a German symphonic/folk/doom metal and (later) neofolk band. Founded i Empyrium was founded in 1994 by Markus Stock (mostly using the pseudonym Ulf Theodor Schwadorf) and Andreas Bach, but later many other musicians participated. The band draws inspiration from nature. Empyrium are often referred to as a dark folk or apocalyptic folk band[citation needed], expressing in their music sentiments akin to those expressed by some other 'legislators' of the genre, Forseti, Orplid, and Ulver (Kveldssanger)[citation needed]. Like the Norwegian black metal band Burzum, Empyrium also used a Theodor Kittelsen drawing on one of their album covers (Where at Night the Wood Grouse Plays). Metal records Their first two albums, A Wintersunset and Songs of Moors and Misty Fields, following a demo entitled ...Der wie ein Blitz vom Himmel fiel..., are considered doom metal (or folk metal) with folk and symphonic influences. They combine harsh and operatic male vocals, with deep slow guitar parts and atmospheric sounds. Acoustic records The following two albums, Where at Night the Wood Grouse Plays and Weiland are acoustic, display a constantly heavier neofolk influence. Instead of keyboards, the band switched to acoustic instruments such as acoustic guitars, violins, cellos and the flute. Operatic male vocals are still used, and in Weiland the band uses choir vocals and the piano. Though the music remains dark and melancholic, Empyrium's music has largely moved away from metal. Departure After their 2002 album, Weiland, the band decided to stop recording. As Schwadorf himself put it, Empyrium has explored nature-mystics since 1994, and after 8 years we feel to move on and made a glorious farewell to the concept with "Weiland"