Eluveitie means "The Helvetian" in Gaulish and it is pronounced as "El-Vey-Ti"
Eluveitie clearly belongs to the fastly growing folk/pagan metal scene, anyhow brings some "fresh wind" into it: Eluveities sound is authentic, traditional Celtic folk music combined in a unique way with modern styled melodic death metal, influenced by the classic Gothenburg sound.
Originally formed by mastermind Chrigel Glanzmann in Winter 2002/2003 as a mere studio project, the first MCD "Vên" was recorded in spring 2003 - already unique in it's way of having folk music on an equal footing with the metal sound.
The self-financed MCD was ardently received by scene and press and sold out within a few months. In 2004 Eluveitie signed to the Dutch label Fear Dark Records, which released a re-mastered (and partly re-recorded) version of "Vên", and continued as a "real" band, playing gigs together with bands such as Finntroll, Amon Amarth, Korpiklaani, Ensiferum and many others while touring Europe and playing many festivals & openairs.
Although some lineup changes still had to happen, Eluveitie grew into being a band and developed their very own style. In late 2005 Eluveitie was finally ready to enter the studio again and record their first full-length album "Spirit", which was again released through Fear Dark Records. Furthermore a video for the Song "Of Fire, Wind & Wisdom" was produced in Summer 2006, directed by Martin Schäppi, Merlin Sutter & Chrigel Glanzmann / Eluveitie.
With "Spirit" Eluveitie went a big step forward, presenting a completely new style of Folk Metal to the scene - starting a new wave of Folk Metal!
While the album was turning out to be a huge success, the band toured their asses off again. Yet whilst touring and playing many festivals like the Graspop Metal Meeting (Belgium) or Summerbreeze Open Air (Germany), Eluveitie already began to work on new material for the succesive album.
Finally in Fall 2007 the new album "Slania" was recorded in different studios in Sweden, Switzerland & Liechtenstein, produced, mixed & mastered by Jens Bogren (Amon Amarth, Opeth & more) at the Fascination Street Studios in Orebrö/SE (www.fascinationstreet.se). Having recorded nothing less than the perfection of their very own style, Eluveitie now was in the lucky Situation to receive many offers from almost every known label in metal music & ended up signing with the well-known German record company Nuclear Blast Records, where a new home was found under perfect conditions.... After some talks & the production of a new video (again produced & directed by Merlin Sutter & Martin Schäppi) a release date was set for February 2008.
“Slania” turned out to become a breakthrough and the band was getting busy taking over the world in 2008 - with appearances at most of the bigger European summer festivals as well as two USA/Canada tours and three European tours within only 12 months.
But never being lazy, Eluveitie worked out new material while touring and was ready to enter the studio again in December 2008! Their follow-up album to “Slania” should become something special - for it is the bands first purely acoustic album (and part I of a two-pieced acoustic concept). “Evocation I - The Arcane Dominion” was released in April 2009 and turned out to become a real gem of folk music and again became a huge success (rank 20 in the Swiss album charts).
Members:
Chrigel Glanzmann - Main Vocals, Mandola, Mandolin, Whistles, Uillean Pipes, Gaita
Meri Tadic - Fiddle, Vocals
Anna Murphy - Hurdy-Gurdy, Flute, Vocals
Päde Kistler - Whistles, Gaita, Other Bagpipes
Kay Brem - Bass
Ivo Henzi - Guitars
Sime Koch - Guitars
Merlin Sutter - Drums
Former members:
Sevan Kirder - Bagpipe, Flute, Whistles, Vocals (appears on "Vên", "Spirit", and "Slania")
Rafi Kirder - Bass Guitar, Vocals (appears on "Spirit" and "Slania")
Linda Suter - Fiddle, Vocals (appears on "Spirit")
Sarah Wauquiez - Hurdy Gurdy, Crummhorn, Helvetic Accordion, Vocals (appears on "Spirit", also appears on "Evocation I - The Arcane Dominion" as a guest)
Dani Fürer - Lead Guitar (appears on "Vên")
Dide Marfurt - Hurdy-Gurdy, Bagpipes (appears on "Vên")
Gian Albertin - Bass, Vocals, Sound Effects (appears on "Vên")
Dario Hofstetter - Drums (appears on "Vên")
Yves Tribelhorn - Rhythm Guitar (appears on "Vên")
Philipp Reinmann - Irish Bouzouki (appears on "Vên")
Mättu Ackerman - Fiddle (appears on "Vên")
