L'Âme Immortelle

Austrian electro-goth outfit L'Âme Immortelle formed in 1996. Vocalist Thomas Rainer met keyboardist Hannes Medwenitsch at a party, and after completing a handful of songs they added singer Sonja Kraushofer to the lineup. A 1997 demo recording titled attracted the attention of Liechtenstein-based indie label MOS Records, and after re-recording the original demo material, L'Âme Immortelle issued its debut LP, Lieder Die Wie Wunden Bluten, in mid-1997, scoring an underground hit with "Life Will Never Be the Same Again." After the 1998 follow-up, In Einer Zukunft Aus Tränen Und Stahl, entered the German alternative charts, the trio supported U.S. goth pioneers Christian Death on their 1999 European tour, signing to the Trisol label to issue their third LP, Wenn Der Letzte Schatten Fällt. A German tour preceded the 2001 release of the fourth L'Âme Immortelle release, Dann Habe Im Umsonst Gelebt, which fused the band's signature electronic approach with more organic elements, including a string section. Medwenitsch left the lineup in mid-2002, with guitarist Ashley Dayour joining prior to sessions for L'Âme Immortelle's next release, Als die Liebe Starb, which yielded the club smash "Tiefster Winter." The group signed to major label BMG's Super Sonic subsidiary to launch their sixth LP, 2004's Gezeiten, which entered the German Top 20. Auf Deinen Schwingen followed in mid-2006. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide